Going Beyond KnowingGoing Beyond Knowing

Milton D. HakelBowling Green State University

Mhakel@bgnet.bgsu.eduApril 10,2003

Science of Learning

• An emerging field• Dependable findings• Fragmented literatures• Scattered applications, little replication• Key publication: How People Learn:

Brain, Mind, Experience and School

A great beginning….

• Learner-centered• Knowledge-centered• Assessment-centered• Community-centered

Bransford, Brown & CockingNational Academy Press

Knowledge Is Not Enough

Virtually none of the new knowledge has found its way into practice.

• How can we apply and extend knowledge of how people learn, think, and remember?

• How can we promote engagement in learning?

• How can we foster durable learning and effective performance?

Needed: Embedded Formative Assessments

• Constructed responses• Clearly defined, observable learning

outcomes• Reflective self assessment • Longitudinal tracking of developmentLearning goes beyond knowing to being able

to do what one knows

Portfolios• Portfolios are cumulative records of

accomplishments, showing developmental progress and/or current proficiency

• Uses: student development and learning, student reflection, academic advising, campus employment, career planning, program assessment, and/or student evaluation/grading

Diagnostic Digital Portfolio

http://ddp.alverno.edu/

ePortfolio Desired Features• Easy use (add new materials, new users)• Access anywhere, anytime via a web connection • Include audio and video files • Under joint control, and in institution’s possession • Sophisticated security and access permissions• Search by title or any indexed attribute • Trace cumulative patterns of learning• Compare portfolios of many students • Scaleable

What ARE the core abilities that education should foster?

• Critical and constructive thinking– analysis, synthesis, problem solving, judgment,

decision making• All facets of communication

– write, present, read, listen, information literacy, numeracy

• Social interaction– influence others, participate in groups and teams, and

lead in diverse settings and cultures

Learning goes beyond knowing to being able to

do what one knows