The Obsolete Teacher

Both responses by Della and Lisa were most interesting...so I tried to go on and research this out a bit. 
I found the most interesting talk by Prof. Sugata Mitra.  His theory of MIE (Minimally Invasive Education) endorses both of your comments, but in a provocative way.  His experiments include grandmother types giving praise and encouragement behind the children learning.(Lisa)  His study also states that "if children have interest, then education happens."  They will learn what they want to learn.(Della)  His study (The Hole in the Wall) is about children learning in a unsupervised environment.  It supports a lot of what we have been reading about - with children's collaboration being an important element of it's success.  His study promotes the fact that every child has a different learning style and pace and so reinforces my IEP theory for everyone.  This is most interesting...and I realize that the video is about 17 minutes...it will be 17 minutes well spent.  I am really hooked on this concept and the use of technology as a tool.  The Hole in the Wall project would definitely substaniate that  technology tools (such as a computer) can help us build knowledge, and
http://technologyinclass.com/blog/2010/09/17/the-obsolete-teacher/
that unsupervised use of computers can lead to accelerated learning of skills in children. It also shoots down my former statement involving children of poverty, as the study involves the poorest of India.  Most interesting - I am sure that this will not be the last of my blogging on this subject.  Enjoy the video.

This is an interesting article from Teacher Magazine - open-ended ed.

http://www.cheshire.mmu.ac.uk/bms/home/research/pdf-doc/doc-07.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7X7sZzSXYs&feature=player_embedded

Still pondering the "Win" thing!!! I think I am stuck on this!!!!

I just read Professors post on video games...and what if school was a video game?...When I think of winning something...I think of a game..or race...or?????  I know an awlful lot of kids that would love to tap into that.  I think that "pleasure" is only possible if the learner is engaged..and wants to be engaged.  Everyone has "something" that they are into...and that interest and investment makes something worth "winning?" Accomplishment of the task..could be a form of winning...but again I ask...how do I convince them of the worth of the task to begin with?  How do I I lure them into the den to fight the lion?  Perhaps the TOOL could be the bait of interest. 

I would like some feedback on this quote please

"Understanding is not something that comes free with full databanks and thorough practice; it is something won by the struggles of the organism to learn - to conjecture, probe, puzzle out, forecast, and so on." ( p.51)
I find the word "won" most interesting here.  What is the learner does not want to learn...no interest in the content?  What motivates the learner to "want" to learn?  Any thoughts?


Duffy, T & Jonassen, D. (Eds.). (1992). Constructivism and the Technology of Instruction. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Wanted input...

Okay I was going to share my thoughts and excitement about this new project that I told you guys about.  My obesity project through constructivism....I am soooooooooooo excited about things so far...but need and want some input...BUT...I have already been on the computer for four hours now...and...
Americas Got Talent is coming on   (Priorities you know)  Let's talk tomorrow!!!!

GAMING ADDICTION - IF YOU CAN'T BEAT IT JOIN IT!

When I posted earlier on Instructional design - I mentioned how designers must "talk" the same language as the learners.  I have done "some research" on gaming - in reference to it being a negative habit forming activity that occupies children's time instead of true physical activity.  But the more I read on the subject - the more I believed that all disciplines should be tapping into the concept.  It has been proven that "excitement" is addicting..not only pyschologically, but physically as well.  The physical release of adrenaline, endorphines -  dopamine promotes that feeling of well-being and thrill that all humans crave. The psychological addiction is that escape of life..  A virtual life is better than a real one.  I can see that this is a basic selling point of Second Life...come join us and meet the man of your life??? ( husband #2???) Meet others - go to exciting places, etc. etc.  The same is true of gaming..it takes us to exciting places..it allows us to do what we never dreamed we could do. So there why not tap into the concept.  JASPER seems to do that..Dance Revolution seems to do that..Zoo Tycoon seems to do that. 
We have a product to sell...so we had better reach our audience - or they are not going to buy into it.  Not all gaming appeals to everyone...but you find the interest and you can build around it. 
I must share that I have seen students addictive to reading..but again they are reading what interests them...
You know of many people that are addicted to exercise...when they are doing something they are interested in.  Instructional designers will have to keep up with the growing array of "interests" to hook our learners...and see them expand. 
I am a perfect example.  I read something, which leads me to something else...which leads me to another site...the possibilities here are endless...and before I know it I look at the clock and I have spent four hours just surfing and learning.  The quest actually becomes addictive!  So we need to make the quest for reading...math...history...interesting and addicting..by tapping into "INTERESTS."  Interest breeds excitement...that does lead to addiction..  Designers will have to consider the ENDLESS variety and complexity of personal choices.  I guess that is why there are games that are so diverse for our diverse learners who have diverse interests.  Perhaps designers will become specialists in an area...let's say physcial education for example.  They will take their expertise..that they learned because they were addicted to the subject matter...and design in that area of content.  I do not think that one instructional designer could be successful in every subject matter.  Specialization will spur it onto excellence.  If you have passion  - it generates motivation and excitement...which catches others "INTEREST"...to try.  Learning is like a  smorgasboard...learners will be excited to try something (some they will like - others they will not), but eventually they will find that "thing " that excites them enough to continue pursuit.  Just some random thoughts.