Monks Learning Paradigm

Posted to RuralTalk by Chuck Bokor on Monday, 29 November 1999.

Did you know that lecturing was invented by the monks a few centuries ago? The reason? ....there was only 1 book....

In this day and age, professors, teachers and trainers routinely use lectures and other 1-way instructional methods to impart their wisdom on others.

We are starting down the path of online, web-based training for Ministry clients. For example, during a factsheet authors meeting last week, we talked about using factsheets for more than just clients to download hardcopies for reading. What about making them interactive?

In a new book called Virtual Learning, Dr. Roger Shank explains that natural learning comes from failure. We do something, fail, and correct. Facilitators of learning (teachers?) should intervene only at the failure point - to provide guidance and some coaching to the learner. He talks about simulations as the way to enhance a learner's experience online, using the technology to enhance rather than hinder the experience.

Dr. Shank was a keynote speaker at the recent Ont Society for Training and Development (OSTD) conference. If you want to know more about how the education system is not working, why it needs to be fundamentally changed, and to what, please contact me - I bought the book! chuck

I have Chuck's copy of the book if you are interested. RBH