Today I was thinking about how people learn from others. Specifically, in a classroom setting, the discussion on a topic can be a rich resource that contributes to learning. I came to this realization through the many discussion board posts that I have made throughout my academic career. Most of my academic career has been online, and I have been able to learn a lot by spending some time reflecting on a question prompt. After reflecting on the question prompt, I have to formulate and grow the ideas that were planted by the prompt. Discussion in this way. I believe, is more valuable than in person discussion.
However, in person discussion has value also. The organic nature of a discussion, carefully guided, can lead to new ideas or realization of concepts that are being taught. Probably the most effective discussion is one where there is a natural organic discussion coupled with a period of reflection where ideas can be fully developed. Once fully developed, the discussion should be revisited to put forth the fully developed ideas. To me, this would be the ideal circumstance of community learning through discussion.
Hey Mike, I agree that both in person discussion, and online discussion can both yield rich results.
ReplyDeleteI like in a class when there are discussions that are formulated during the week, and reflected on in online discussion.
But I also have had fully online courses, where there is great dialogue in the discussion of the week.