After reading the article by George Siemens, "Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age", I believe today's learner can be best compared a chef. According to the theory of connectivism, decisions that a learner makes are "based on rapidly altering foundations, which are not entirely under the control of the individual". When a chef is preparing a meal, many different possibilities may occur. He could run out of a specific ingredient needed for a dish, or he could have a dissatisfied customer. In either situation, or one similar to these, a chef needs to think on his feet to make instant changes. He needs to be flexible to necessary changes that are out of his control.
The article also states that "decision-making is in itself a learning process". Our learners need to be able to make decisions on their own and understand that the right answer today, may not be the right answer tomorrow. A chef is constantly changing recipes and the ingredients he/she uses in order to stay up-to-date with the current trends. The trend right now in food is eating healthy. How a chef cooked in the past may not be how he/she prepares meals today. As teachers, we need to keep this mind especially. The way that we were taught in school, may not be the best way to teach our own students. Teachers, learners, along with chefs all must be open to change.
The article also states that "decision-making is in itself a learning process". Our learners need to be able to make decisions on their own and understand that the right answer today, may not be the right answer tomorrow. A chef is constantly changing recipes and the ingredients he/she uses in order to stay up-to-date with the current trends. The trend right now in food is eating healthy. How a chef cooked in the past may not be how he/she prepares meals today. As teachers, we need to keep this mind especially. The way that we were taught in school, may not be the best way to teach our own students. Teachers, learners, along with chefs all must be open to change.
3 comments:
Eres muy creativa thinking of a chef! I had a hard time thinking of something too, it took me a while to come up with that because all I could think of is what our worlds are like but not the learner himself. Anyway, I thought that your analogy worked really well for the article, I specifically thought of a head chef in a fancy busy restaurant making sure everything is in order but thats hard with so much going on, just like for any learner today. Entonces, muy bien hecho!
I was thinking more along the lines of a head chef at a restaurant too. I'm glad you got the idea!
Sara,
You have pointed out many ways in which the chef/learner analogy works. Another would be the chef's ability to expand his repertoire by networking with other chef or even chatting with customers to see what worked well and what could be improved.
Dr. Burgos
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