At last! Someone has blogged a brief look at an ‘alternative’ education method and considered it in terms of adult education – the Montessori methods. I’ve often wondered why secondary and tertiary education doesn’t discuss the other methods more often.. well, at all! Otago Polytechnic lecturer David McQuillin is though.
The online context is well-suited to a range of self-directed modules/exercises that the students may choose to move through at their own pace. There are some limitations to this model. Our professional assocation requires specific competancies to be held by graduates, and it’s likely that other professional assocations have the same type of requirements. This means that while we can provide some flexibility we cannot allow students to completely follow their own path of learning.
In our work developing resources in Wikieducator, we are slowly building a number of learning activities for a single learning objective. Could it be that these activities present the choice for self directed that David considers?
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July 21, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Mark
How funny, I read the title of this post without looking at the blog author, and thought “Oh, I’ll send this to Leigh.” I should have known better.
Anyway, I find so many times (in my experience of my course) that as a group, we are constantly being told by the lecturers exactly what they are sure we know or don’t know. It’s extremely frustrating and offensive sometimes, especially when it’s implied that we are
I wish we were assessed more thoroughly, because I don’t feel that the grades alone tell the full story.
I’ve felt for a while now I’ve learnt more in my own time about design in the last 4 months through blogging, and reading blogs, and out of class discussions with other like minded students, than I have in the last 18 months of the course curriculum.
It’s great to feel like I am learning so much, but I had imagined at the start of course that for the money we are paying, we would get that feeling because of course, not in spite of.
My current suspicion is that once course is over, many people will be still not know how to learn for themselves, as the methods we are being shown are mostly limited to the more traditional methods, which just don’t seem to “click” with the students.
Of course, this is only based on my experience and conversations with classmates, but it’s an inside view.
Also, if the “top-down teaching approach” that David talks about was changed, maybe the lecturers would feel comfortable learning something new from us once in a while.
July 22, 2007 at 12:45 pm
leighblackall
Absolutely Mark!
I’ve thought for quite some time now that traditional teaching is dead. Its an extreme line to take, but the detail behind that hopefully comes through in the presentation that is that link.
Its a great feeling hey, the personal empowerment we get by being connected through blogging and RSS to a wider range of knowledge and experience in our fields, but at the same time it is quite troubling why so few seem to understand it, or even want that connectivity – especially troubling when it is the teachers who are some of the most reluctant.
So where does that leave formal education? A colleague of mine and expert learner (teacher) in web design, Michael Nelson regularly posts interesting ideas you might appreciate, his post Gradually hand over control of learning seems like a model that could work in the course you are in. I have observed it working quite well with his students…
July 22, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Mark
So many people love Bebo, Facebook, etc, and it would be such an easy transition to blogging, RSS.
They are already online networking with like-minded people without even blinking, so it makes sense that the old ways shouldn’t be the only ways. These people, who communicate electronically are being told the library is the place to be. They don’t have to actually visit friends to socialise, so why would need to visit a certain building to learn?
I ran through his top 5 tips for new teachers, and applied them to what I experience in class. It wasn’t good.
July 22, 2007 at 5:53 pm
leighblackall
Hmm, I’m not surprised that it wasn’t good – Michael is one of the most progressive teachers/expert learners I know, and education as an institution is notorious for being conservative and very slow to change. Counter to that though is the tradition of students being radical and actioning change.
Regarding Bebo et al. I’d love to see these popular, socially networked services being used for learning, but do you think that is likely? I mean, given that schools and formal education are so, well, formal and more than a bit uncool, do you think the average 19 year old using Bebo while the teacher isn’t looking is going to like the idea of using Bebo to talk about school work, or study? It would be great if we could find a way to succeed at that, and to see learning and inquiry becoming pervasive in popular media.. but as you point out, a lot needs to change in a teacher’s headspace for this to be possible.. but that’s not to say I don’t think we should try..
I’m trying to get Polytech lecturers to post their videos and lesson plans on Youtube, their own blogs, and where ever their is an audience. I reckon with as little as 5% of the worlds teachers doing that, the social web would look very different, and the concept of teaching would change rapidly. Hopefully those teachers will start modelling learning through those mediums.. hopefully by modelling, the bebo’s will be able to relate to ways they could use their online social spaces for the odd bit of learning.. but already I am seeing teachers simply using these services to repeat what they’d always done – teach but not participate. I’m beginning to think that it is other students who will succeed at modeling life long learning before teachers do. People like yourself.
July 23, 2007 at 1:05 am
Mark
Thanks for the thoughts and the time taken to write them down, much appreciated!
July 23, 2007 at 11:41 am
helenlindsay
Hi Leigh,
In defense of lecturers here at OP I would just like to say that discussions around ‘alternative’ education methods do occur here, especially in the Learning Centre about the Montessori method in which I have recently trained (2005). I have also heard of new innovative ways of teaching being developed in the Interior design school and new developments in adult numeracy and literacy across the whole Polytech. Not forgetting those of us starting to use blogs and wiki’s. -
July 23, 2007 at 11:51 am
leighblackall
Hi Helen,
Could you fill us in in more detail? Perhaps a post to your blog that looks at these examples? It would be very helpful to have these initiatives documented somewhere for reference at times like these…
July 23, 2007 at 12:01 pm
helenlindsay
ok, I can start with what we are doing in the area of numeray – that’s where I’ve been working the most, see my Blog http://helenlindsay.wordpress.com. The interior design school have a new method they call Studio teaching – I don’t know the details but I’d be very interested to hear more about that too.
November 7, 2008 at 2:57 am
Mark B
Hi Leigh,
I have only heard snippets about Montessori methods, but I am very intrigued based on my very limited exposure so far. Can you tell me where the best place to gain more information about this is? I am a manager for a software company and am in charge of the training and continuing support of clients- all adults. I also firmly believe anyone can learn anything given the proper tools and that conventional teaching methods (at least in America) seem to be failing. If you need more information about me and my background, I’d be happy to share.
November 7, 2008 at 9:19 am
Leigh
As always, WIkipedia provides a great start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montessori_method
March 12, 2009 at 10:30 am
NOLEEN VASSELL
Hello,
My name is Mrs Vassell and presently reside in the country of Trinidad. I am an adult Montessori Tutor/Teacher, I am requesting information relating to areas of the Montessori program which I do believe would be of great help in my field. (example) Modules, materials or apparatus etc. Thanking you most kindly.
Mrs. N.Vassell
May 11, 2010 at 4:51 am
Mel
Hello,
I have found the book “Montessori: The science behind the Genius” to be a great resouce. The author, Angeline Lillard, has a website at this address. http://www.montessori-science.org/
She has also made a DVD which gives an overview of the information contained in the book.
I have used Montessori Methods with kids in grades 4-8th and my daughter has been in a Montessori school from Pre-k through 2nd grade.
I am currently contemplating the use of Montessori Methods with adults in adult education classes – specifically with regard to teaching adults to read.
Any insights would be welcome.
Thanks,
Mel