from study programming to curriculum thinking (and back)

Timo Nevalainen 2016

From Study Programming to

Curriculum Thinking (And Back)Timo Nevalainen 2016

[email protected]

Loosely based on “Action Spectrum” model in Russell, Jean M. (2013). Thrivability: Breaking through to a World that Works.


Focus on productivity


“Any teacher that can be replaced by technology should be!”

Arthur C. Clarke

…but should teaching mean trying to keep on doing things that machines do better anyway?


Study programming

§ The area (relatively) simple problems and predictable and measurable consequences.

§ Mechanistic thinking and reductionism works!§ If something can be controlled by the teacher, it should be

automated instead.§ Teaching should not be about control but education (nurture)

and guidance of learning (together).§ In an ideal world, things like grading and, perhaps, some of the

feedback “just happen” based on the learning design.

§ What tasks and structures in your study programmes involve teacher control and, thus, need to be automated?


Focus on learning


“A ‘learning design’ is defined here as an application of a pedagogical model for a specific learning objective, target

group and a specific context or knowledge domain. The learning design specifies the teaching-learning process. More specifically, it specifies under which conditions, what activities have to be performed by learners and teachers to enable learners to attain the desired learning objectives.”

Koper, R., & Olivier, B. (2004). Representing the Learning Design of Units of Learning. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 7(3).


Learning design

§ Area of increasing complexity and free will.§ Success and effectiveness (measured by achieved goals

and milestones) depend on interpersonal dynamics.§ Based on curriculum thinking, informed by educational

research.

§ Are there points in the learning design where technology can be used to assist and guide the learning process?

§ To what extent can the learning design be a self-guiding structure?


Focus on education


Curriculum thinking

§ The area of complex adaptive systems (and problems) => Consequences and outcomes very difficult to predict.

§ Long timeframes and complex feedback loops.§ An area of deep and connected educational thinking and

creativity focused on holistic human and social goals, as well as the conditions of education in the society.

§ Provides the basis for the learning design, which provides the basis for study programming.

§ Guides technology choices through learning design, not the other way around.


Visible in the context

Less visible