Welcome

Social Learning in Context:

Examples and Mechanics toward Significant Learning 

In this session, I will share two example assignments/assignment series that build toward significant learning Links to an external site. (Dee Fink’s approach). The assignments engage students in social learning and critical thinking through active learning and collaboration. Included are assessments and tools, as well as a chance to play and critique. 

Session Outline

  • Discuss--What is Significant Learning? What is Social Learning? And why do we build them into our courses?
  • Examine--Fink's model
  • Explore--Example lessons in modules
  • Identify--applied aspects of significant and social learning
  • Critique and share--findings, suggestions, future thoughts

"A year (or more) after this course is over, I want and hope that students will .” Foundational Knowledge What key information (e.g., facts, terms, formulae, concepts, principles, relationships, etc.) is/are important for students to understand and remember in the future? What key ideas (or perspectives) are important for students to understand in this course? Application Goals What kinds of thinking are important for students to learn? Critical thinking, in which students analyze and evaluate Creative thinking, in which students imagine and create Practical thinking, in which students solve problems and make decisions What important skills do students need to gain? Do students need to learn how to manage complex projects? Integration Goals What connections (similarities and interactions) should students recognize and make…: Among ideas within this course? Among the information, ideas, and perspectives in this course and those in other courses or areas? Among material in this course and the students' own personal, social, and/or work life? Human Dimensions Goals What could or should students learn about themselves? What could or should students learn about understanding others and/or interacting with them? Caring Goals What changes/values do you hope students will adopt? Feelings? Interests? Ideas? "Learning-How-to-Learn" Goals What would you like for students to learn about: how to be good students in a course like this? how to learn about this particular subject? how to become a self-directed learner of this subject, i.e., having a learning agenda of what they need/want to learn, and a plan for learning it?