Comments on: Learn(ing) with vs. Learn(ing) from http://edinsanity.com/2010/02/25/learningwith/ “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Albert Einstein Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:57:43 +0000 hourly 1 By: Simon Oldaker http://edinsanity.com/2010/02/25/learningwith/comment-page-1/#comment-2803 Simon Oldaker Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:01:52 +0000 http://edinsanity.com/?p=432#comment-2803 I'm a teacher and one of the main attractions of the job has always been the huge potential for learning. Still, I react to something here. You seem to be <a href="http://simon-losingmyfaith.blogspot.com/2010/02/mistaking-access-to-information-for.html" rel="nofollow">confusing learning with accessing information. </a> The role of the teacher has never been (or at least should never have been) a kind of gatekeeper for information. The teacher is someone who can already do what the students are supposed to learn, because it's far easier to do something you've never done before if helped by someone who has. Speaking Spanish, knitting a sweater, taking a jump shot - these are all difficult things to learn. Difficult not because it's hard to find information on how to do these things, but because <i>learning is difficult.</i> Increased access to information does not change that much, but the presence of someone who knows how to do these things can make the process completely different (if they have any gift as a teacher). At some point, it can be good to take a break from the teacher and spend time with someone who is "learning with" you, but that doesn't remove the value of someone to "learn from" at other times. I’m a teacher and one of the main attractions of the job has always been the huge potential for learning. Still, I react to something here. You seem to be confusing learning with accessing information. The role of the teacher has never been (or at least should never have been) a kind of gatekeeper for information. The teacher is someone who can already do what the students are supposed to learn, because it’s far easier to do something you’ve never done before if helped by someone who has.

Speaking Spanish, knitting a sweater, taking a jump shot – these are all difficult things to learn. Difficult not because it’s hard to find information on how to do these things, but because learning is difficult. Increased access to information does not change that much, but the presence of someone who knows how to do these things can make the process completely different (if they have any gift as a teacher). At some point, it can be good to take a break from the teacher and spend time with someone who is “learning with” you, but that doesn’t remove the value of someone to “learn from” at other times.

]]> By: Josh Vick http://edinsanity.com/2010/02/25/learningwith/comment-page-1/#comment-2784 Josh Vick Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:25:46 +0000 http://edinsanity.com/?p=432#comment-2784 I like the idea here but there should be some hesitation before we leap headlong into a shift. Context can often be lost in text and data. I think you qualify it a little by adding Lead learner, but often reading text or learning with can lead to perspectives that are lopsided. I like the idea here but there should be some hesitation before we leap headlong into a shift. Context can often be lost in text and data. I think you qualify it a little by adding Lead learner, but often reading text or learning with can lead to perspectives that are lopsided.

]]> By: Paul Oh http://edinsanity.com/2010/02/25/learningwith/comment-page-1/#comment-2783 Paul Oh Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:23:46 +0000 http://edinsanity.com/?p=432#comment-2783 Your post reminded me that years ago, when I worked as a teacher in an elementary computer lab, I read a book by David Jonassen called "Computers as Mindtools for Schools" (http://www.amazon.com/Computers-Mindtools-Schools-Engaging-Critical/dp/0130807095). In that book, Jonassen said something similar with regard to using technology for education - that we should push our students to learn <i>with</i> computers rather than <i>from</i> them. A revision of Jonassen's thought to reflect the current social media landscape, perhaps, and to complement your thinking: We should be using technologies to learn with one another. Your post reminded me that years ago, when I worked as a teacher in an elementary computer lab, I read a book by David Jonassen called “Computers as Mindtools for Schools” (http://www.amazon.com/Computers-Mindtools-Schools-Engaging-Critical/dp/0130807095). In that book, Jonassen said something similar with regard to using technology for education – that we should push our students to learn with computers rather than from them. A revision of Jonassen’s thought to reflect the current social media landscape, perhaps, and to complement your thinking: We should be using technologies to learn with one another.

]]> By: Britt Watwood http://edinsanity.com/2010/02/25/learningwith/comment-page-1/#comment-2772 Britt Watwood Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:19:39 +0000 http://edinsanity.com/?p=432#comment-2772 It reminds me of a shift I used to tell my leadership classes - moving from "have to" to "get to". "I have to lead a discussion in class tomorrow" sounds painful. "I get to lead a discussion in class tomorrow" sounds fun! It reminds me of a shift I used to tell my leadership classes – moving from “have to” to “get to”.

“I have to lead a discussion in class tomorrow” sounds painful.

“I get to lead a discussion in class tomorrow” sounds fun!

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