Comments on: Learning IS Social. It Just Is.

By: I don’t teach in the 17th century at Autodizactic

I don’t teach in the 17th century at Autodizactic — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:40:17 +0000

[...] at the thinking Bud is doing at St. Vrain Valley School District is [...]

By: Posted to Diigo 06/15/2010 | /usr/physio

Posted to Diigo 06/15/2010 | /usr/physio — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:31:20 +0000

[...] learning is social, or communal in nature. See, my contention is that learning is communication, and that communication requires language, and that language is socially negotiated. By that, what I mean is that words are just sounds. Sounds that convey meaning. And they are arbitrary. We call cups “cups” not because they possess any inherent cupness, but because, over time, and due to popular usage, the word “cups” came to be linked with the concept of a particular kind of container that you put things, usually liquid, but sometimes cakes and other things, into. Words gain their meaning through social processes. Specifically, when people, enough people, use them to mean certain things, then they have that meaning. Without that social negotiation of their meaning, they mean, well, nothing. [...]

By: » The Podcast: A Little More Social (Learning) Bud the Teacher

» The Podcast: A Little More Social (Learning) Bud the Teacher — Tue, 25 May 2010 04:22:35 +0000

[...] podcast, recorded last week, is a response to some comments on the “learning is social” conversation. I’ll let you give that a listen, then let’s talk some more. Next up for me, in [...]

By: Dan Magyar

Dan Magyar — Sun, 23 May 2010 16:31:58 +0000

Bud,

I have to disagree with two of the premises of your post: “my contention is that learning is communication, and that communication requires language, and that language is socially negotiated”

Learning is Communication – as Jon pointed out there are all kinds of learning that have nothing to do with communication.

Communication Requires Language – if a Japanese woman slaps me across the face, trust me, she has communicated even if we cannot speak a word of the other’s language.

Education is Social, Learning is Individual

By: Bud Hunt

Bud Hunt — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:58:11 +0000

Yeah. That’s just it. We want to have influence – but not to admit previous influence, perhaps.

By: Bud Hunt

Bud Hunt — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:56:26 +0000

Not sure how this is a helpful statement. I know that socialness seems obvious to many – but it isn’t. I’ve a short podcast that I’ll be posting soon where i elaborate on the importance of posts like this one. Sure, gravity influences teaching and learning. But it isn’t hidden. Or is it?

By: Liane Benedict

Liane Benedict — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:46:34 +0000

I have enjoyed following this debate. I am fascinated by all of the thoughts and perspectives shared here. I guess what I am thinking is that I can accept that there are times certain types of learning are not technically social experiences. But even if they are not what is the purpose of that learning? Maybe the experience or the time spent alone reflecting and learning or survival types of learning are not considered social but they certainly have a purpose of allowing us to interact better in our social world. I spend time alone meditating and there is learning that comes from that experience by myself. But it helps me be a better person in my relationships with others. There is a social purpose. Reading a book by myself (even though I agree with Bud that this is still social interaction with the words, the author etc) broadens my world view, opens me up to new perspectives and that allows me to be a better social being. And so as we ponder these perspectives about all learning being social or not, what are we saying about the learning our students should be experiencing in our schools? Or beyond schools? What is this debate telling us about how kids will learn best and what we should be doing about it? .-= Liane Benedict´s last blog ..Mackenzie rocked the dock today! =-.

By: eslteachertim

eslteachertim — Mon, 17 May 2010 15:35:22 +0000

Creating a social learning environment is the goal for most of my general English classes… learners learn better if they are comfortable with their surroundings and ‘want’ to use the language skills they have acquired to communicate. Is it as possible on the internet is perhaps a different matter, this is a totally new form of society (well, relatively new) and it is one that is still developing its norms and accepted avenues – so social tools for learning: YES. But which ones is still an answer I think that is yet to be decided.

By: Social Media Tools for Work & Learning » Social Learning

Social Media Tools for Work & Learning » Social Learning — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:16:42 +0000

[...] the term social learning as I’ve just discovered an interesting discussion on this term at Bud the Teacher’s blog. Have a read here. It should be of interest to schools and community groups involved in student [...]

By: Paul Left

Paul Left — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:58:53 +0000

wrtngtchr said ‘Learning is social, testing is not. ‘

I can’t agree – any form of assessment (including testing) relies in some part on communication and language. So if we accept the broad definition of ‘social’ as per the original post, assessment is also social in nature.
.-= Paul Left´s last blog ..Dana Karem joined the group Learning Communities =-.