Joe McConda on Technology, Education, and Culture

The role of the learner is changing. According to this article in the “priority topics” section of Edutopia our whole educational system is in the process of much needed change. There are many more experimental programs that employ a more project based learning environment in which the learner does more hands on learning. The topics also focus on instruction in emotional intelligence which is one of Howard Gardner’s (he’s up to nine now) multiple intelligences. By the way, I’m glad that Gardner is not on our growing list of superstitions and myths.

The article links to another article, Big Ideas for Better Schools in which many innovative ideas are discussed. The role of the student would involve four areas described as engage, expand, connect, and share.  The video   that is included with the article shows several new ideas being implemented, specifically project based learning.  Students are shown actively engaging in their own learning in projects in which they are interested.  The learning is relevant to real world situations.  This is great and while I can see how many previously deemed unreachable students may be motivated in this way, there will be many who won’t be.  Our current system seeks to educate all students and often levels the field by holding back the most precocious while trying to bring up the most unmotivated.  Some other countries allow those motivated students to go on while they find other avenues for the others.  As the role of the learner changes, will the type of learner change as well?