One quote from Wenger's article that I found really interesting was "From this perspective, the school is not the privileged locus of learning. It
is not a self-contained, closed world in which students acquire knowledge to be
applied outside, but a part of a broader learning system. The class is not the
primary learning event. It is life itself that is the main learning event.
Schools, classrooms, and training sessions still have a role to play in this
vision, but they have to be in the service of the learning that happens in the
world." When we look at where children learn, we think of the classroom, but this concept looks at the point that life and experiencing learning moments is where the "main learning event" occurs. From the inFed article, they point out "we
often assume that
learning 'has a beginning and an end; that it is best separated from the
rest of our activities; and that it is the result of teaching' (Wenger 1998: 3)". But Wenger and the concept of communities of practice oppose this statement. They state that learning opportunities happen in communities of practice that we sometimes don't even know we are a part of. Learning happens not just in the schools, but in every day experiences. We are constantly learning in every situation that we are a part of.
Some main points that I thought were interesting from the inFed article include:
- Learning is in the relationships between people.
- Educators work so that people can become participants in communities of practice.
- There is an intimate connection between knowledge and activity.
The article states that "A two-year study calculated that each hour of formal learning spills over to four-hours of informal learning or a 4:1 ratio (Cofer, 2000). Bell (1977) used the metaphor of brick and mortar to describe the relationship of formal and informal learning. Formal learning acts as bricks fused into the emerging bridge of personal growth. Informal learning acts as the mortar, facilitating the acceptance and development of the formal learning. He noted that informal learning should NOT replace formal learning activities as it is this synergy that produces effective growth". Those who oppose the concept of situated learning feel that formal learning is needed in order to set the context and to learn the crucial material and informal knowledge is where the learner can add more to that concept that they taught.
Personally, I feel that both formal and informal learning needs to happen. Giving a student the building blocks for them to learn is essential and also experiencing real life situations will help reinforce the learning that happened.
Annie, I'm so impressed with your hyperlinks and embedded pictures! You are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I agree with your last comment about how both formal and informal learning need to happen. In PoC's one of the three criterions is an engaging interest but as students grow up, they aren't mature enough to push their thinking to engage in contents they dislike. If we allowed a 4th grade students to learn primarily through PoC's they would only learn about sports, video games, TV, and I doubt they would choose to study history, math, science, or learn something outside of "texting" language. Formal teaching helps students learn necessary social skills that are needed in the world (such as respect, waiting your turn, how to present), these are taught through experience but these are not something you can just learn from online or from peers. So overall, I agree we need a good balance of both, and we also need both to work together.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with the need for both formal and informal learning for our students. I agree with everything Ms. Davis said, especially the examples of students in 4th grade and what they might be learning informally. I would even take it to a more basic level and argue that there might not be someone in an informal setting that would learn how to read and write in an informal setting. Although communication can happen orally versus written, I'm assuming that somewhere in your CoP (especially if you are using technology as a means to interact) you will be required to read what someone writes, then respond by writing. So even in the most basic form, there is definitely a need for formal teaching. This formal teaching helps students become a better participant in society and ensures that they have the tools to be successful.
ReplyDeleteI read the same article and do agree with you whole heartedly that both formal and informal learning needs to take place. Formal learning adds that needed structure to what and how an individual learns. There are moments in life where what I "learning" was not engaging and effective. Educators need to take the responsibility of making that connection between formal and informal learning. Both need to be supplemental to one another, and allow for students to continually be able to make applications whether it be in an informal or formal situation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that informal and formal learning both need to happen. I think that both are equally important in helping developing students to become successful citizens. If we allow informal learning to happen more often I think it will help build the desire for formal learning. I love the picture you found! It is a wonderful representation of how learning should be.
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