what you really need to learn 3027

7/29/2019 What You Really Need to Learn 3027

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Things you Really Need to

Learn

Stephen Downes

May 30, 2007


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How to predict consequences

http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~pa34/cohen2006.htm

Even though we are

epistemologically shut

off from the ocean of

consequences, it iscritical to be

conscientious of

the immense

power an actioncan have.- Jack Cohen
http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~pa34/cohen2006.htmhttp://www.pages.drexel.edu/~pa34/cohen2006.htm


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what it is

the ability tocreate a mental

model imaging the

sequence of events

that would follow,"what would likely

happen if...?"

A combination of science,

mathematics, and visualization


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how we learn it today

Games of:numbers and counting (eg., darts)

action (eg., billiards, baseball)

chance (eg., poker)strategy (eg., chess, go)

and a little bit of science and mathematics

education, to fill out the theory


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Wishful Thinking

focusing on what you

want to happen ratherthan what might happen

instead.

Common sense: everyday generalizations

but: over-simplification

what to watch for

http://www.lisavictoria.net/Images/ACEO/Full/WishfulThinking.jpg
http://www.lisavictoria.net/Images/ACEO/Full/WishfulThinking.jpghttp://www.lisavictoria.net/Images/ACEO/Full/WishfulThinking.jpg


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new tech

.. will allow us toexplore complex

phenomena and

their consequences

increased physicality (eg. Wii)

increased complexity (eg. Sim City)

increased interactivity (eg. WoW)

http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=reviews&article=7-1
http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=reviews&article=7-1http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=reviews&article=7-1http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=reviews&article=7-1http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=reviews&article=7-1


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How to read

How to look at some text and to

understand, in a deep way, what is

being asserted


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what it is

Understanding the four major types of writing:

Description

Argument

Explanation

Definition

http://www.isoc.org/inet2000/cdproceedings/6d/6d_1.htm
http://www.isoc.org/inet2000/cdproceedings/6d/6d_1.htmhttp://www.isoc.org/inet2000/cdproceedings/6d/6d_1.htm


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grammar and language classes

and if were lucky

logic and rhetoric

reading reading reading reading writing reading reading writing rea


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what to watch for

reading without comprehension

reading without meaning or purpose

Other Literacies

graphics and maps

videography

signs and symbols

music

body language


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new tech

reading reading reading reading writing reading reading writing rea

Rather than memorizing form (the old way)multimedia teaches to look forsignsin

the environment (the new way)

these are indicators

We dont just consume, we

also create


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How to distinguish

truth from fictionThe first thing to

learn is to

actually questionwhat you are

told, what you

read, and whatyou see on

television.


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what it is

judging for yourself

observing

questioning

verifying

putting into contexthttp://www.downes.ca/post/4

https://reader009.{domain}/reader009/html5/0410/5acc960d694b1/5acc961480e44.jpg
http://www.downes.ca/post/4http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18891/18891-h/images/ill-13-t.jpghttp://www.gutenberg.org/files/18891/18891-h/images/ill-13-t.jpghttp://www.gutenberg.org/files/18891/18891-h/images/ill-13-t.jpghttp://www.gutenberg.org/files/18891/18891-h/images/ill-13-t.jpghttp://www.gutenberg.org/files/18891/18891-h/images/ill-13-t.jpghttp://www.gutenberg.org/files/18891/18891-h/images/ill-13-t.jpghttp://www.gutenberg.org/files/18891/18891-h/images/ill-13-t.jpghttp://www.gutenberg.org/files/18891/18891-h/images/ill-13-t.jpghttp://www.downes.ca/post/4


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We are taught to depend on authority (including media)

counting (including popularity)

http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/images/issues.gif

Mostly, we dont
http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/images/issues.gifhttp://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/images/issues.gif


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what to watch for

framing

backgrounding

misperception

(motives matter)

(our hidden assumptions)

(we see what

were looking for)


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new tech

fisking

fact-check your a

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FiskingThe Semantic Condition

autonomy

diversity

connectedness

opennesshttp://www.theaugeanstables.com/wp-content/images/17_02.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiskinghttp://www.theaugeanstables.com/wp-content/images/17_02.jpghttp://www.theaugeanstables.com/wp-content/images/17_02.jpghttp://www.theaugeanstables.com/wp-content/images/17_02.jpghttp://www.theaugeanstables.com/wp-content/images/17_02.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisking


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How to empathize

The ability to imagine

oneself as another

person

The ability to be

another person


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what it is

a mental model of the other person's

thoughts and feelings in your own mind

a genuine feeling in yourself that

operates in synch with the other person


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Drama

is mostly as theory

Religion

Psychology

Many schools have stopped teaching these


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what to watch for

- assuming everyone else is like you

- assuming empathy is

a bargain

like, say, the golden rule

http://home.comcast.net/~wardomatic3/graffdad-color.jpg

identity shifting
http://home.comcast.net/~wardomatic3/graffdad-color.jpghttp://home.comcast.net/~wardomatic3/graffdad-color.jpghttp://home.comcast.net/~wardomatic3/graffdad-color.jpghttp://home.comcast.net/~wardomatic3/graffdad-color.jpg


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new tech

Opensnew

worlds

and puts

us into

the shoesof other

people

WorldWide Web

Read My Blog

MMRPGs

Mirror Neurons

identity shifting


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How to be creative


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what it is

A transfer of knowledge fromone domain to another

A manipulation of thatknowledge

It is notthe filling of a blank slate

Operates by metaphor

thinking outside the box

Requires pattern recognition

thats why its hard


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Art

Music

Design

Writing

Play?

by creating thing(usually from scratch)

http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/e09/308/e0930874-2acb-490d-80c3-9148f5cfd61c
http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/e09/308/e0930874-2acb-490d-80c3-9148f5cfd61chttp://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/e09/308/e0930874-2acb-490d-80c3-9148f5cfd61chttp://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/e09/308/e0930874-2acb-490d-80c3-9148f5cfd61chttp://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/e09/308/e0930874-2acb-490d-80c3-9148f5cfd61chttp://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/e09/308/e0930874-2acb-490d-80c3-9148f5cfd61chttp://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/e09/308/e0930874-2acb-490d-80c3-9148f5cfd61chttp://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/e09/308/e0930874-2acb-490d-80c3-9148f5cfd61chttp://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/e09/308/e0930874-2acb-490d-80c3-9148f5cfd61chttp://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/e09/308/e0930874-2acb-490d-80c3-9148f5cfd61chttp://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/e09/308/e0930874-2acb-490d-80c3-9148f5cfd61c


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what to watch for

The Blank Page

Creativity is a responseto something how to rescue a

cat, how to cross a gap, how to hang laundry


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new tech

devote some time every day to an art -

music, photography, video, drawing,

painting or poetry.

Has

unprecedentedtools for

creating

capturingcombining

Mash-Ups

Unprecedented challenges too:

Have you tried to play Myst?

http://www.piledriver.com/images/MLS_mashups.jpg
http://www.piledriver.com/images/MLS_mashups.jpghttp://www.piledriver.com/images/MLS_mashups.jpg


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How to communicate clearly


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what it is

knowing what you want to say

knowing how to say it

probably the hardest

simple tools

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/15873/15873-h/images/001.jpg
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/15873/15873-h/images/001.jpghttp://www.gutenberg.org/files/15873/15873-h/images/001.jpghttp://www.gutenberg.org/files/15873/15873-h/images/001.jpghttp://www.gutenberg.org/files/15873/15873-h/images/001.jpg


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writing

public speaking

debating

note: mostly takes place

in closed environment

http://www.cavalierdaily.com/.Archives/2004/03/23/lfmain.gif
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/.Archives/2004/03/23/lfmain.gifhttp://www.cavalierdaily.com/.Archives/2004/03/23/lfmain.gif


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what to watch for

Its not something you can simply teach

Its something you need topractice in a

real environment

PYRAMID STYLE

WIN FRIENDS


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new tech

http://www.downes.ca/post/38526

Educational Blogging

Gives

people areal

audience

and allowsthem to

pose real

questionsand lets them create

collaboratively

liffy wiki co-comment subthaedit youtube wordpress drupal flickr facebook myspa

http://www.nyu.edu/its/ftc/ls/images/blog.gif
http://www.downes.ca/post/38526http://www.nyu.edu/its/ftc/ls/images/blog.gifhttp://www.nyu.edu/its/ftc/ls/images/blog.gifhttp://www.downes.ca/post/38526


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How to Learn

When you

learn, you are

trying to createpatterns of

connectivity in

your brain. You

are trying to

connect

neurons

together, and tostrengthen that

connection.


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what it is

pattern recognitionTo learn is to practice and reflect

To teach is to model and demonstrate

Learning is like recognition

Models, archetypes, flows


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We listen to someonetell us about it in a class

(or maybe read a self-help book)

http://www.lib.lsu.edu/instruction/tour/images/classroom.jpg
http://www.lib.lsu.edu/instruction/tour/images/classroom.jpghttp://www.lib.lsu.edu/instruction/tour/images/classroom.jpg


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what to watch for

We are always learning

The question is

What?

Learning how to learn is learning how to create patterns in

our mind rather than merely acquiringthem

http://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpg
http://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpghttp://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpghttp://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpghttp://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpghttp://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpghttp://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpghttp://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpghttp://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpghttp://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpghttp://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpghttp://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpghttp://www.beadcreative.com/for-web-kal-three-of-them.jpg


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new tech

lets us take control.(yes, its that simple)

Its our mediaIts our content

Its our patterns

Its our learning

Be the Node


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How to stay healthy

If your school is not facilitating proper

exercise and nutrition, demand them!

h t it i


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what it is

Minimize exposureMaximize resistance

.. to toxins, diseases,

threats, etc

.. with good foods,

exercises, practices


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school

parents

friends

mediaOMG WERE ALL GONNA DIE!


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what to watch for

In a word: misinformation

Hit-button issues

Scare tactics

Advertising


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new tech

Lets us check

Lets us learn for ourselves

Lets us compare notes

Lets us exercise

Together


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How to

value

yourself

In order to valueyourself, you have

to say "I am

valuable."

what it is


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what it is

the belief that you are good enough(to have anopinion, have a voice, and have a say, that your contributionsdo matter)

the belief that you are capable(that you can learn

to do new things and to be creative)

your ability to be independent(to not rely onsome particular person or institution for personal well-being)

and autonomous(capable of making your owndecisions and living your live in your own way)


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We watch Dr. Phil

who tells us its okafter this commercial break


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what to watch for

People who say youre worthless(unless you vote for them, do what they say, buy their product)

If somebody tells you

that you are worthless

over and over, and if

you do nothing to

counteract that, then

you will come tobelieve you are

worthless, because that's

how your neural

connections will form.

THIS IS PRACTICE


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new tech

Google / Yahoo Groups

Skype / IM / Email

Blog / Wiki / YouTube

Tell yourself that you are smart, you are cool, you are strong

Say it out loud, in the morning, each day

Then, practice these attributes.

Be smart

My network is my support group

THIS IS PRACTICE

ONLINE

I am the network


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How to live

meaningfully

What you are doing

right now is the thing

that you most want to

what it is


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what it is

Dedication to a goal or cause

Appreciation of the here and now

educate people

cure diseases explore space

worship God

raise a family

design cars

make art

attain enlightenment

http://web.ncf.ca/ek867/feininger.bridge.jpg
http://web.ncf.ca/ek867/feininger.bridge.jpghttp://web.ncf.ca/ek867/feininger.bridge.jpg


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Good question

Theres no shortage of

people who will tell us how

But do we everlearn to decide for

ourselves?


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what to watch for

money, fame and

power are things

people seek in orderto do what is worth

doing.

The difference between means and ends

What is worth doing?http://www.performance-measurement.net/assets/rohm/balanced-act08.gif
http://www.performance-measurement.net/assets/rohm/balanced-act08.gifhttp://www.performance-measurement.net/assets/rohm/balanced-act08.gifhttp://www.performance-measurement.net/assets/rohm/balanced-act08.gifhttp://www.performance-measurement.net/assets/rohm/balanced-act08.gifhttp://www.performance-measurement.net/assets/rohm/balanced-act08.gifhttp://www.performance-measurement.net/assets/rohm/balanced-act08.gif


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new tech

When you realize you have

the power to choose what

you are doing, you realize

you have the power tochoose the consequences.

New technologies give us choice

The world is (quite literally) what we make it

(just ask the people who made Second Life)

Everything you do

has meaning


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Stephen Downes

http://www.downes.ca

what you really need to learn 3027

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