Personal definitions of Training and Education and the difference between a trainer and an educator

Training is a finite process designed to teach a student to accomplish a specific and measurable task(s) in accordance with a training objective(s) or purpose. Good training results in a student(s) who is able to perform a task(s) or complete a process in the specific way demonstrate or explained by instruction.

Education is an infinite process designed to inspire students to think critically, creatively, or philosophically about a process. A simpler dentition might be the process of training students to think. Good education results in student-centered thinking and an awareness that there may be more than one way to perform tasks or complete processes.

A Trainer is one who guides students through the completion of a task using a specific methodology. A trainer may also evaluate training effectiveness, by testing students based on the stated objectives. Trainers rely on statements, for example, (in motorcycle training) “To mount the motorcycle, with the side stand down swing the right leg over the saddle and sit on the motorcycle.”

An Educator is one who inspires a student(s) to think critically or creatively about a specific topic, task, or process. A simpler dentition might be educators train students to think. Educators rely more on questions to guide learning and inspire thought. For example, an educator might ask, what is the purpose of mounting the motorcycle? Note that, the instruction quoted above in the trainer definition, is a proven technique to mount a motorcycle without falling (which is the purpose of mounting).

I have been trying to make sense of the dictionary versions of these terms, in most cases they use training and education as synonyms. Somewhat frustrated, I decided to define them in terms I can understand with clarity.

I would be very interested in your thoughts and opinions, please leave comments as appropriate.