Stages of Learning
There are five stages of learning: novice, beginner, competence, proficiency, and expertise. While learners in an adult educational program may be considered competent, proficient, or an expert in their current field, they must realize that they will back at the novice or beginner stage of learning in the educational program. If a learner is unable to accept this or not willing to learn, practice, and work their way back up to expert level in this new field, they will not be as successful.
Dreyfus, H. L., Dreyfus, S. E., & Athanasiou, T. (1986). Mind over machine : the power of human intuition and expertise in the era of the computer. Oxford, UK: B. Blackwell.