Science or Art
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The document discusses whether learning is more like a science or an art by comparing their key characteristics and using the analogy of building a canoe. It questions whether standardized exams and a common curriculum that treats students like products on an assembly line, as in a factory model, allows for the flexibility and variability that an artisan model focusing on individual needs and abilities provides. Precise dimensions may be less important than durability and functionality for students, as with canoe ribs adapting to each piece of wood.
Science or Art
- 1. Is Learning a Science or an Art?
- 4. Analogy: building a canoeNeed to make cedar ribs
- 5. Cut on a sawUniform dimension but does not take into account particular characteristics of each piece of wood
- 6. Knots, cracks, weaknessesSplit by handCan adapt to peculiarities of each pieceBut more time consuming and less consistent dimensions
- 7. Question:Is consistent dimension the most important measure of a canoe rib?Or are flexibility and durability more important?
- 8. Apply the analogy to studentsWhat are the most important qualities students will have on completion of a unit/course/program?What functions should they be able to perform under what conditions?How critical are undetected weaknesses?Will the student float?Survive the rapids?
- 9. How important are the precise dimensions of the canoe to its ability to function successfully?It must have sufficient length, depth, width and shape to carry its intended passengers and cargo, but there are many suitable variations
- 10. Does the way we design courses, classrooms and assessment allow for this variability?Or do we push everything through a pre-set jig and expect to discard a certain percentage as substandard and unusable?The factory modelGroups of studentsCommon curriculumScheduled time/durationStandardized examsFocus on acquisition of a common set of facts/knowledge/skillsTime is fixed, level of success is variable
- 11. The artisan modelPre-assessmentIndividual projectsOffice hours (personal contact)Focus on development of interest, unique abilitiesTime required to achieve success is variable