Submitted by Pamela on 27 June 2011 - 12:02am
Two events this week have influenced my thinking about about emerging educational systems, also some discussions with Paul Horan of COTW and a post by Mike Gurstein. As I reflected on them I realised that, in my own current experience, it's not so much about "self-direct learning any more" it's more about collaborative learning - how, within a group, we can help each other to learn what it is that we "as a group" need to know.
- Education for Uncertain Futures - this event at RSA is best appreciated by following the link, which leads to recordings and a great blog by Patrick Hadfield.
- School of Commoning (SoC) - Spanish Revolution, and the Commons Here and Now On reflection I realised I am probably more interested in the fact that it is a "school" rther than the fact it is a School of "Commoning". (I have written various reflections on this in a personal email - which could be useful for future reference). We are learning together, and using an innovative mix of face-to-face work, visual aids and online connections. I think Franz Nahrada would have been encouraged to see how the session worked - including linkups with Spain and Greece. At the end we had an unexpected video link with SoC co-founder George Por who is currently in hospital - but was still able to join us briefly online. There was great fluidity - partly between the use of resources during our Face-to face-time and the resources we were able to check out before hand, and there was also fluidity about "where the walls of the meeing room were" with recent videos of what was happening in Spain and then the link ups bringing other people "into the room with us"
- Paul Horan and Coalition of the Willing (COTW) Just as we are learning together in SoC so, in many ways, we are learning together in COTW. Some fo my ideas on this clarified through one of my long skype chats with Paul at the weekend. Both in SoC and in COTW there is a kind of "looking out for each other" and a way of recognising resources that might be useful for shared learning and background a given points. It is a considerate and supportive approach to learning - something very collaborative.
- Fwd - Louder Voices and Learning Networks (by Mike Gurstein) - plus notes to self Mike is looking at new online approaches to Higher Education, and asking questions about inclusion and who benefits (that is a huge oversimplification of his post). I'd like to join in the comments - but for now think I'll just have to follow them.