I do believe humans are creatures of habit and social beings so in a sense yes we do have some basic instinct to belong to a group and we thrive on the attention others can provide for us. I also feel that up to this point students have been taught to also be individualistic, work alone and we are tested on what we know compared to others. This is a major problem and concern I have with public schools. Here we are told collaboration will be what is required and vital of the future and of our next generation but yet the way we learn is rooted in learning textbook facts and what one can regurgitate.
Technology has the abilities to propel students into the 21st century with the availability of blogs, wikis, RSS feeds, workflow mgmt tools, doc sharing, doc conferencing, social networking, video conferencing, presentation sharing, organization mgmt tools and a variety of workplace platforms just to name a handful. All of these aide in facilitating collaboration among individuals and varied groups. These applications are set up in which it makes learning easy enough through self direction requiring interaction and eventually mastery which are constructivist learning principles.
Your point about learning having become competitive is important. I often tell my students they can all earn an "A" or all earn a "C" - since their grade is based on the quality of work submitted as compared to the rubric (not to other students). Many students expect courses to be earned on a curve - so maybe that is where the competitive nature comes in.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most competitive programs (in terms of admissions) is medical schools - yet once admitted there are no grades. The primary reason is so once in practice no one can access the doctor's grades to make inferences about the quality of their skills. (Especially in malpractice cases).
Do you think it would be possible to eliminate grades and have some pass/re-do standard that indicated progression? Would that help foster more collaboration and constructivist learning or just be a different way of doing the same thing?
Thanks.
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI think grading on a students progression is a great way to access learning. Where I work we grade according to standards based which is pretty much exactly this. They can either earn a Meets, Meets Minus, In progress, Does not meet. I think the students are excited about collaborating, its the teachers who are hesitant and have reservations.
I would agree with the idea that collaborative learning must be both modelled and rewarded. As it is, school systems reward individual success, which is fine. However, if schools expect to shift the paradigm from individualism to collectivism (not collective mediocrity), then rewarding collaborative learning is essential.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to the advantages of technology, the insurmountable challenge is that it requires a sound academic foundation to guide and constrain its use within genuine educational frameworks. The use of technology by itself is not automatically or necessarily equivalent to the type of learning valued within the education domain. Lots of unlearned people use technology at present and may do so quite well. The 21st century knowledge worker not only can use technology but is, also, able to learn and relearn at a level commensurate with 21st Century education and the 21st Century globalized workplace in a knowledge based economy.
Marlon,
ReplyDeleteI am a bit confused you said that workers will use the technology but only in a knowledged based economy. Don't you think that is one in which we live? In my opinion educators use technology personally but when it comes to utilizing it in the classroom they cease.
I must agree Jeannine, when new technology is introdced to classroom teachers, they frown upon change. Forward thinking must occur among educators and they must embrace the opportunities brought forth to offer students new ways of learning.
ReplyDeleteIncorporating SmartBoards in every classroom is an effective way to incorporate technology that both students and teachers can use. It allows both to work with web based materials as well as presentation software that can broaden the mindset of all involved.
Jeannine,
ReplyDeleteGreat post you have alot of detail. Your comments on humans being creatures of habit and social beings having some basic instinct to belong to a group and we thrive on the attention others can provide for us and is right on. Do you think we are making mistakes by teaching our students to be individualistic, work alone?