Bob Watson asks,
>how does one deliver "generalized learning" when those who
>control/contribute to the process are specialists?
Don't we have a good model for this already? It used to be called
"liberal education" (or, sometimes, "liberal arts education") and was
highly respected before politicians usurped the word "liberal" for their
uses. In the sense of a liberal education, of course, "liberal" means
something very like Mr. Watson's "generalized."
I attended a very fine small liberal arts college in the early 1970's --
Reed College, in Portland, OR. Then, and now, all freshman and sophomore
students spend much of their time attending a series of seminars taught by
"specialists" from all the disciplines represented at Reed. They get a
survey of human thought from every perspective, integrated around topics
of enduring importance to the human race. I thought then, and still
believe today from my own experience of having had such an integrated
grounding, that this was something every student should experience.
If I may add one further thought more relevant for primary and secondary
schools: It seems also to be true, for most students, that kids learn
more, faster, and better (i.e., retain what they learn) when they learn
things in the context of immediate use. So, for example, kids who
participate in high school yearbook learn how to use complex computer
software, how to take good photos, how to write clearly and succinctly,
how to use graphics and layout skills, etc. Students who work in school
theater learn a variety of skills, and put them to use -- as do students
who work on out-of-school environmental projects. In fact, I don't know of
any multi-disciplinary activity that doesn't produce positive results.
Why isn't all of schooling multi-disciplinary? Some will say that
students simply must take time to learn fundamentals of disciplines to
form the foundation for use. Okay, then at least shouldn't we teach the
separate disciplines separately (when necessary) but in the context of
some (integrated) use?
--"John W. Gunkler" <jgunkler@sprintmail.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>