I’ve been noticeably absent from posting these last few weeks. I wanted to see if you’d develop a discourse without me. You did … if it’s not exactly the discourse I would have liked to see, I’m still impressed that it developed in what was largely a vacuum.
This is by way of introduction of this post that came to me via retweet from @dpeter a few minutes ago …
This led me to the conclusion that few 21st century learning priorities are less about technical skills, tools, services, software or hardware but far more social, cultural and behavioural as they relate to states of being, thinking, feeling and acting with technology.
via melaniemcbride.net ยป The hidden curriculum of 21st century learning.
It echoes a lot of what I’ve been saying early on in the class, but also takes it the extra step forward. When we hear about a “hidden agenda in education” it’s most often referencing a social agenda involving faith and values — and here’s a fresh take on that idea.
What do you think?
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Interesting article by you Dr. Lowell, and Melanie McBride. If I am interpreting Melanie’s article correctly, the hidden curriculum impacts students far more than anything we ever teach explicity. By hidden curriculum, she is referring to the values and behaviors we instill in our students by not only the actions we portray to them, but the interactions we allow them to have amongst themselves, and with us. Students come to have their own class culture, which is really important. Having a connection with a class, produces learning throughout the year by far. I know that is a class has your respect, and you respect them, the results of learning are far higher than in those classes that do not demonstrate respect for you or each other. The hidden curriculum is probably the most important part of the learning experience.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Thanks for citing my post – I appreciate you extending the discussion to your readers. I only ask that “hidden curriculum” (an established pedagogical theory and line of inquiry) be distinguished from a hidden “agenda” (a subjective rhetorical phrase/term used in speech).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_curriculum
The hidden curriculum is one of the most important concepts in modern pedagogy and of critical importance to the development of public education programs that account for various social or cognitive advantages that factor into academic success (but are not normally acknowledge or accounted for in learning environments).
October 29th, 2009 at 12:53 PM
I tend to agree with Melanie. I am a product of a Libral Arts University and then earned a M. of Divinity. Much of my education, especially in HS and Undergrad emphasized “social, cultural and behavioural” learning. I consider this to be beneficial… EXCEPT these things are not marketable in most of today’s job market.
Perhaps we could strike bit more of a balance between liberal arts and technical????? It would’ve been great to learn how to do my taxes in school rather than trial and error in real life
November 1st, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Most things from school are not marketable in today’s job market, including learning how to do your own taxes.
I think it really does underscore the different schools of thought on the purpose of education.
Is education supposed to give you the direct skills and knowledge needed to be a productive member of a society?
OR
Is education supposed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to figure out how to be a productive member of any society?
– When social structures only changed one or twice a millenium, the former would seem to be a good choice. In today’s market place where a new social order sweeps through about every ten to twelve years, one might think that knowing how to survive in flux is more valuable.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:58 PM
BOTH-
I feel that an education should provide you with as many direct skills as possible- personal finance, business management, human resources, READING (my pet peeve) math for everyday living as well as specialized math, sciences, and so on…it should ALSO give you the skills and knowledge to be able to find /figure out what you need to do, where you need to go…all the resources you need to further your knowledge, which in turn helps out everyone else…which continues to help you out..connectivism.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:03 PM
I agree with Melanie…I think some get confused between hidden curriculum and hidden agendas. I was concerned that my kids weren’t learning as well as another teachers students- my teaching was certainly more non-traditional than hers. But at the end of it all, my kids learned a great deal more than anyone realized, without the student even realizing they were learning things they weren’t really interested in. Through discussions and questions relating to their personal/social life they had a greater perspective on the various literary pieces we were reading. We would digress and discuss things that happened in the past with what goes on now…it was amazing to witness them going in depth on topics they wouldn’t have even considered within the text. Then when we went back to the text…they amazed themselves. In did wonders for their self-esteem too.