the learning in collaborative spaces

Malcolm BrownDartmouth College

© 2004 Malcolm Brown

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How People Learn

National Research Council

learning is active

• challenging• exploratory• conceptual

and critical• high order

thinking• peers• experts

this entails…

• debate• research• study abroad• interdisciplinary

study• progressively

challenging• intense focus• quiet deliberation• problem solving• assessing

alternatives

learning is contextual

• learner-centric• dialectic of

content and learner context

• clear basis on – prerequisites– student

context

this entails…

• learners making choices

• resources from the real world

• application of factual knowledge

• progressive and cumulative

• learning roadmaps• models, schemas,

examples

learning is engaged

• options for tailoring to the learner

• multiple paths• path choices• involvement in

the work of others• discovery and

experience• interactive

content

this entails…

• explicit goals and standards

• diverse media• choices• opportunities

for transfer• specific

feedback

learning is locally owned

• by faculty• by students• learner

assumes responsibility

• independent thought

• formative assessment

this entails…

• reflective portfolio• self-critique• reading logs,

content summaries• public review of

work• choices about what

and how to study• self-assessment

assessments

learning issocial

• feedback and interaction

• team-based projects

• debate-driven

this entails…

• mentoring• collaborative

learning• team-based

learning• instructor

participation• one-on-one

interaction with instructor

deeper learning occurs when it is…

• active• contextual• engaged• locally owned• social

institutional cultureinstitutional culture

faculty students

contentspaces &facilities

A learning ecology

grandchallenge

a seamless, technology-enabled learning environment for all faculty and students, one that addresses the use of all our learning spaces

rethinking spaces

• real• virtual• mobile• ephemeral• “sub-spaces”

rethinking spaces

• new media• new devices• new access

– from anywhere– at anytime– by anyone (!)– with anything

spaces &facilities

infocommons

videoconferencing

cafe

smart groupstudy rooms

caves

portalsportfolios

virtualwhiteboards moos

threadeddiscussions

chat

instructionalcenters

coursemanagement

systems

blogs andwickis

GIS

smartclassrooms

iPodstrack

changesVOIP

wireless

course website

rethinking support

• providing diverse training

• providing specialized gear and software

• advice on copyright• rescue operations• rehearsal spaces• specialized spaces

like MOO’s and chats need setup & support

• access• anytime/anywhere

support

“The future of higher education lies outside the classroom.”

Chron of Higher Ed, circa 1999