Dear Organlearners,
> Steve Eskow <seskow@durand.com> writes:
>
> >The critique maintains that the lecture and the sermon
> >are obsolete forms of communication that do not belong
> >in a "learning organization."
>
> >Why do the lecture and the sermon persist?
Another reason for this mode of instruction to remain popular is that it
is an ingrained method. When the Greeks and Romans taught classes they
used the method of conversation and dialogue. Through this method a path
of mutual discovery occurred. As times and student populations changed
newer styles of education came into being. The fixed one to many lecture
style replaced the rotating one to few style. With the advent of various
teaching tools (technologies) the one to many style became set in
concrete. Gutenberg's movable print opened the way to a mass produced form
of education. With the advent of more modern technologies late in the
19th and early 20th century, mass produced education began to change its
approach. In the mid 20th century the theorists began to look at the
effectiveness and relationships of the "sage on stage" and learning
styles. From the mid 50's to present over 100 different theories and
models of how education should be presented have been published, only a
few have been given any credence (43). This then is a major factor in the
confusion and turmoil currently occurring in the field of education.
Education has become increasingly technology driven. The advent of the
computer and modern modes and methods of rapid communication have
challenged the delivery of education to the one as well as the many. In
other words, education is in the throes of a major SYSTEMS change. The
boundaries have been torn or are being torn down and chaos and a new order
are being established. This chaos and new order are being felt in ALL
areas at ALL levels of education.
The lecture will remain the most powerful form of MASS transfer of
knowledge, but as more and more instruction and education is offered on an
ever growing WWW, the "sage on stage" will not become obsolete but a more
powerful force in population dynamics. The lecture will move from the
classroom to the "public square" with charismatic speakers taking the
dais. This charisma will then be pitted against a more educated and
sophisticated population, mass control will be more difficult. Boundaries
will be removed and new order will be established .... a new system will
evolve.
Bruce Jones
brucej@nwths.com
--"Bruce Jones" <brucej@nwths.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>