Payal Prabhu

Homework 10

Due: Monday, February 25th 2002

Lifelong Learning: Changing Mindsets

1. What did you find interesting about the article?
   
   I liked the discussion of traditional classroom learning vs. new classroom where the student is prepared to accept learning as a lifelong commitment. In understanding that the traditional setting only teaches the students how to learn within the school/university environment (whereas interactive classes which promote discussion, creative ideas, and collaboration "reduce the gap between school and workplace learning"), I realized the need for changing our mindsets about the idea of learning within our schools and our workplaces.
   




2. What did you find not interesting about the article?
   
   (This is more a question than a dissatisfaction)
   
   The author accepts at the end of the paper that research has not been done towards evaluating the effectiveness of the new forms of learning (self-directed, learning on demand, informal, collaborative and organizational). Are there any other papers that have attempted to deal with these forms of learning?
   




3. What do you consider the main message of the article?
   
   The main message of this paper is two-fold. One, there is a need to change the current form of traditional classroom learning into something that would promote learning as a lifelong experience. And two, to make this change we have to change our mindsets about the act of learning. We need to realize that schools have to train us not only in the sciences, math, arts, etc., but for us to grow into dealing with learning in everyday situations at work or at home (when we are far away from the student-teacher classroom setting).
   




4. Describe in detail your mindset about learning. How did you develop it? When did you develop it? Did you ever change it? What made you change your mindset?
   
   Having studied in India till high school, I was exposed to only the traditional classroom setting. Students would sit in chairs arranged in neat rows/columns while the teacher stood upfront (sometimes even on a higher platform) "imparting knowledge" to the students. We were allowed to ask questions of the teacher, but only rarely were class discusssions among students encouraged. I learned a lot of information through high school, but the strategies to put such information to use were still not embedded. Making use of the material I learnt didn't come naturally in a problem-solving situation.
   
   
   After attending undergraduate college (and now graduate school) in the US, I was exposed to learning in a very different environment. Classes were often contructed around learning methods that promoted discussion and collaboration between students. Chairs were often placed in a circle (if class size permitted it) and all students were able to learn in a collaborative setting. By sharing ideas within the student group, I believe, my learning process was much more fruitful. I am able to freely ask for help or for input on problems without aimlessly looking through literature. If I am stuck doing a problem that I think has been dealt with by another person, I am inclined to go ask the person for their input and learn from their experience. This attitude, I think, will be very useful in a work environment where I could used the symmetry of ignorance towards my learning advantage.
   
   
   In having experienced both forms of classroom learning, I do agree with the author that the traditional classroom structure does not always prepare students to carry-on the learning process actively once they have left the boundaries of their school or university. My change in mindset came about due to a drastic change in educational systems, and hence I believe such a change is required in current mindsets to accept and adopt methods that promote lifelong learning.
   




5. Has our course ("Design, Learning, and Collaboration") so far influenced in any way your mindset about learning?
   
   Yes, most definitely. As stated in my previous answer, the physical setting of the classroom in a circle, the encouragement of discussion between all participants of the class (students, teachers, assistants), the development of independent research and group projects, etc. promote my learning experience greatly. Rather than hurridly taking notes and later reviewing them at home to embed the learning in my mind, I believe I actively learn "during class" in the DLC course.
   




6. What is the impact of media / technologies (e.g., computers) on the formation of mindset – if any?
   
   The impact that media can have on our mindsets can be immense. We use computers in classrooms, at work, and at our homes, see TV at home, and listen to the radio while driving to work or to the grocery store. In hearing, watching, experiencing, and using such media technology, most of us allow our mindsets to be framed by what we hear or see. This can help us enhance our thinking (mindset) or completely change it (if given enough evidence through media). However, there are some people who do not allow themselves to be swayed by such technological innovations and choose to continue in their "traditional" mindsets without consideration to innovation. Whether the latter attitude impedes their mindsets is something that can only be evaluated through research.