Schram assignment13

1. what did you find

1.1. interesting about the article?

The concept of a community of learners is interesting.

1.2. not interesting about the article?

The restatement of what an adult-run education was like was way too long and not required.

2. what do you consider the main message of the article?

The main message of the article was that that neither child-run or adult-run education is the answer (either sides of the pendulum). The answer lies in a combination of both.

3. analyze your own educational experience and

3.1. provide a rough estimate in percentage points for each category and

My educational experience has been on the adult-run side. I would say less than 5% of my education has been directed by myself (child-run).

3.2. one example for each category (in case you have encountered all three approaches)

Adult-run is demonstrated in every lecture based class I sit in. Child-run happened in my elementary school art classes on "free day" where we would get to use materials and create what we wanted.

4. which technologies are used / can be used /should be used to support

4.1. adult-run education

Any type of technology that can get information accurately to the consumer (i.e. internet, TV, books, etc). Any medium that does not allow the consumer to participate and guide the material being presented.

4.2. child-run education

Any technology that would allow for collaboration (i.e. internet, teleconferences, chat). Any medium that does not restrict the users from deciding their education.

4.3. community of learners education

Again, technology that allows for collaboration and does not discount participation.

5. analyze our course from the three dimensions:

5.1. adult-run education

The professor giving a lecture off of the powerpoint slide is guiding us in the direction he wants with little input from the audience because the powerpoint presentation is static to us (we cannot change or shape it before or during class).

5.2. child-run education

We get to collaborate and embark on a project and research that is directed by what we want to learn.

5.3. community of learners education

We have guest speakers that attempt to guide the discussion for us because of their experience in the field.

6. which possibilities do you see to effectively integrate adult- and child-run education?

For me it would really depend on whether or not it became sociallyl acceptable. If they can prove that on a large scale communtiy learning works better than adult-run learning then I would be for trying something different. However, in other countries they are doing just the opposite of exploring interactive learning and restricting adult-run learning even more. These countries also seem to be excelling in areas such as science and math, at least on a world scale. So to effectively integrate these learning styles into our education system would be difficult because of the radical changes. I'm not sure I know enough about the subjects to make an informed decision on what should be included in our education system. I am also worried about what effects mixing and matching the styles will do to an impressionable mind.