On my way to work today, I was listening to a podcast of Diana Oblinger's presentation (25 MB file) to ALT-C in September 2006. One comment in particular struck me in her discussion of the role of learners in education. She used the term "legitimate perspective" in reference to learners. In our design of learning spaces, we need to acknowledge that learners provide a perspective or opinion that must be considered. We have for decades - through our actions in designing learning - largely ignored the needs of learners. We were focused on teaching them. It's important today to understand that no one voice over powers all others. Each voice - educator, society, learner, institution, alumni - has a legitimate perspective that must be acknowledged and factored into how approach learning.
Posted by gsiemens at January 11, 2007 2:47 PM | TrackBack