77.8 miles: Thoughts on the future of education.

I'm taking an online class this semester for the first time.  I've had classes at IIT that had an online section, which was very convenient; I could catch up on lectures if I had to miss a class, instead of puzzling through someone's notes.  But to have the entire experience online is rather different.

On a related note, I happened across an article today on how 'online education' is being implemented in schools. It's not completely online, but it's definitely taking advantage of it. It's called the 'flipped' school day. The idea is simple: did you ever get 'stuck' watching a lecture at school as opposed to stuck on a homework problem? Did you ever wish you could 'rewind' the teacher and  hear that concept again before moving on, or pause it to jot down a long formula without missing the next bit? Basically did you ever wish the lecture was being done on your time? On the other hand, isn't it helpful to have someone knowledgeable around when you're actually solving problems or completing an assignment? So, the simple concept is, flip the two! Stop sending problems and assignments home; instead, send the lectures, in video form.

I see another upshot: you're saving the passive learning (lectures) for the less energetic part of the day, and active, experiential learning for the middle of the day. You're working with most people's natural energy peak. You're also saving your teachers' time...a lecture only needs to be recorded once (during prep time) for several sections of the same class. Perhaps even across years! And like the article says, you can even exchange lectures with other schools.

I am wondering a few things, however.  Are the improvements cited by the school really due to moving those lectures, or can they be abolished altogether? I'm thinking of this other article that I read recently. In a nutshell, some physics profs structure classes based on small group problem solving and discussion, rather then lectures; and they see better results. Granted, I think they assigned reading and expected it to be done, too.

I'm going to admit, I never read for my classes; if I do, I'm just getting the same information a second time in lecture, and I'm bored. I'd rather go back to the book and read if I don't understand something from lecture. However, this hinges on the fact that I don't need to read to go to class. If I did, I probably would.

So, back to my online class...it's really a middle ground. Usually, I 'attend class' when it's going on, which lets me ask questions and participate if I want. On the other hand, I always have the option of watching or re-watching later (including late at night when I wouldn't do other work). The software used also has lots of cool features (which of course we aren't using). Everyone 'attending' can call in and talk, or even call in with video. We can point to the 'board' and write on it. We have a chat function. Frankly, taping a classroom is not the best use of it!  I'm not sure what is.

Here's what I am sure of: we're way past lectures. Information is so easy to come by these days: you have Khan Academy, you have Wikipedia, you have Google. You have Instructables. You can learn whatever you want without ever leaving your screen...so what do we do with classtime? I refuse to succumb to the view that organized education is outdated; but in order to have value over a self-education, it must switch from imparting information to a different model. One centered around verifying the student received the information correctly (correcting misunderstandings and confusion), and teaching them to apply that information. Perhaps even to seek out more of it.

Since I plan to become an educator, this is a thought in progress. For today, I just wanted to point out a cool trend I was seeing.

77.8 miles: A Response

Read this on Natalia Antonova's blog (Z, you directed me there...): "There’s something weird about a system where everything is monetized."

It's a thought I've had before.

I grew up in a community (i.e. my family and my parents' friends), where we avoided exchanging money whenever possible. Sure if you broke something at someone else's house, you owned up and paid for it to be replaced. If you had an expensive dinner together, you would pay back whoever covered it or treat them to an equivalent meal later on (often this was on trips, so there were plenty of opportunities).  Hospitality ("rent") was only paid for during an extensive stay...and even then, an effort was usually made to pay in favors; in doing the grocery shopping, helping clean, cooking a nice dinner, etc.  Hospitality for a few days to a week was basically considered matter of fact.  Babysitting for each other was basically considered matter of fact (though reciprocated at a later date).  Basically, there was a huge and largely untracked 'trade' in favors; if it wasn't a big deal, you helped a person out, and no funds were exchanged.

This went threefold for family. The money was everyone's; it was not partitioned out to individuals as 'their own.'  We all pitched in to the chores to the best of our abilities (even if they were outside the 'norm') and all got what we needed (or really wanted): food, clothes, school supplies, etc. Notably, watching my sisters, or my friends', was not a job; it was a household responsibility.

I understand that some families have regular babysitting needs; that for some teenagers it is a real job, and not just a matter of keeping an eye on kids they know well. But what I do think is weird is paying your own kids, to watch younger siblings....and by extension, same goes for family friends. I think it's weird to pay a friend and fellow pet-owner to watch your dog for a few days when they'll be around/in town anyway. These are matter of fact things you do for your circle, if you can.

I guess the last thing I want to add is that these favors are not necessarily tit-for-tat. My personal philosophy is that it's hard to create that direct exchange, in part because we all have different talents and skills. It's more of a giant human compact thing: I watch your kids, and one day someone will watch mine. I'll give you a ride, and someone will make me dinner when I'm sick.

There's more to life than money and profits. Here's to the human element! :)