Education 2.0
We are heading to a new social revolution. People communicate differently these days. With mobile phones, e-mail, chat, online socializing sites, hyves like myspaces, blogs and wikis we have a whole new kind of society growing in the world. People that are connected and free roaming, they are well informed and can filter good stuff from crap faster. They no longer believe in authority but instead in what they see themselves. They combine information quicker and look differently to the world.
Most of this generation still has to go through an education system that is runned by the previous generation of people who are less connected. But more and more educational institutions begin to favor andragogy.
Andragogy
Andragogy is a newer kind of education focused on what the student wants to learn instead of a predefined path by a teacher. The student learns to make it’s own choices and adapt to what is needed in certain situations. This learning only works if the student is connected to real world projects. The projects asks of the student to delve into the matter to find the best solution. The project is watched by a tutor who gives comments to inspire the students to get even better.
Social learning
The old way was a one way process where the teacher with his preselected books formed the learning path. If he was boring the students would be less passionate.
Andragogy is based on inspiring each other. If a student does not know how to solve a problem, a fellow student could be asked. If nobody knows or can’t find the information inside the learning community an outside expert can be asked for an open lecture.
The main grading method is reflection. Every student has to log his learning ambitions and followed path inside a kind of blog or diary. Sharing his findings to fellow students, tutors and assessors to follow. One students failures is a lesson for another. Knowledge is collected onto a wiki so future students can save themselves from some hard searching.
It is all about exploration of the material. Each student can find his/her own path that fits his/her ambitions and qualities. There is no longer a single perfect student and route. Our education system will produce more diverse people to solve more diverse problems.
A new society
Education is the foundation of society. It creates our future. A new social, free and more diverse education system build on passion will create a new generation that is no longer focused on the road defined by the elite but expanding knowledge and experience in every direction. People will be more open to new solutions. All will be more about passion and less about hate.
I want to end with sharing this great TED presentation on the subject by Ken Robinson:
Wayne Said,
April 20, 2007 @ 12:06
I am a MBA student review the features and application of Ed 2.0. I see the upside to this type of teaching platform. But my fear is that is only benefits the rich and/or intellectual populations. This type of format I fear will degrade an already degrading inner city school format where most students only learn because they are forced. Many of which do not put the effort into their own education. They do not see the “why” behind it.
I know you probably think that giving them real world experiences will alter this dynamic, but I am skeptical. I grew up and went to an inner city school, and understand that many student would be “left behind” in this type of system.
I do however think that we need to try new dynamics in order to try and fix the issue, and I hope I am wrong about my concerns for this system as I do see the multiple benefits that it presents.
Jurriaan Mous Said,
May 1, 2007 @ 22:11
The problem is that the whole system has to be adapted. You have to let those students study this way from the younger years to really let them understand it.
But you also need a whole different kind of teaching staff that is more focused on coaching, inspiration and personal attention. It is a whole different mindset and you are right to be concerned. It is easy to do it wrong and we don’t know all the answers yet to implement this kind of system.
Anwar Said,
January 3, 2010 @ 20:54
Very intersting to see every one is valued equally and respected for individuality and creativity.!