The Brass Ring

Terry Anderson’s talk on Groups, Networks and Collectives was helpful. I appreciated Stephen’s understandings of the differences between Groups and Networks but that was too abstract for me. I appreciate in real life that any organizational structure has group and network components. Some of my best group projects in school would contain strong network components. This course is an instance for me where the network has produced powerful learning. I’m slowly developing the sense of autonomous learner as I struggle with a personal learning enivronment.

My largest questions relate to the role, if any, do networks as a structural goal have in K-12 education? Terry seems to indicate that it is tough for him at his university and George continally refers to the insitutional expectations of schools on any class offered. For years I have been impressed by the structures of Alverno College. They have portfolio based education that is founded on solid standards that are not overly prescriptive. Why is this model not replicated anywhere that I know of? They have been working on this for decades and everybody who visits is impressed but institutions can’t make the switch. K-12 education is even more restrictive and controlling. Or will the technology of social learning simply blast through the walls of education and make the changes anyway?