My imagination is becoming wrapped up in the possibilities students and teachers (and therefore all of Humanity) may now have through a new approach in learning theory; it is two-pronged.
The first prong is Self Organized Learning Environments . These "SOLEs" grew out of an experiment conducted by Professor Sugata Mitra. Data gleaned from these experiments motivated Mitra in developing the second prong in his new learning theory, the concept of Minimally Invasive Education, or MIE.
A feature of SOLE I appreciate (largely for its practicality) is that [one] could happen quite spontaneously, and without a huge amount of expense. This would be achieved via mobile devices, such as old Blackberrys and iPhones people would donate. These devices could be reworked for an outdoor, "always-on" environment. And true to the design of previous SOLEs, the arrangement and scale would be guided by the proportions and needs of children ages 6-13.
MIE has taken root in my mind because it seems so impossible, and yet it works! An educational design has been manifested in which children self organize around digital, web-connected tools, and effectively engage educational content. These children show rapid (perhaps second order?) development in their computer skills, information skills, and co-operational talents in a matter of months. And this is regardless of where they start in terms of literacy. I find this amazing. I want to be amazed. I know we all, as educators, want to see people develop as much as they possibly can, and in the shortest period of time. SOLE and MIE seem to promise this.
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