Bob Leamnson (RLEAMNSON@umassd.edu)
Wed, 25 Nov 1998 17:55:43 -0500 (EST)
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 17:55:43 -0500 (EST) From: Bob Leamnson <RLEAMNSON@umassd.edu> Subject: [ifets] still more tomorrows
This listserv is becoming my favorite forum. I love having my
philosophical pronouncements picked up, deconstructed and
thrown back at me.
Several people seem taken aback by my statement that
technologies are never the cause of learning. I made that
statement, and stand behind it, because it uses words precisely.
Learning will almost always be associated with, or follow upon,
the use of some technology (words, pictures, etc.). But to mistake
correlation with causality is a serious error. Philosophy even has a
name for this kind of error--"post hoc ergo propter hoc," (it
followed *this* therefore it was caused by *this*). Because some technology
is used to facilitate learning does not mean that it caused it.
So where, then, is the cause of leaning? I'm convinced that the
cause of learning resides within the learner. I came to this
conclusion because no explanation of learning (Thorndike, Pavlov
and Skinner included) made any sense to me until I read Changeux
(Neuronal Man). His biological basis of learning showed me that
learning is not something that is done *to* anyone, it's something
we do to ourselves. The learner is the cause of learning--all else is
facilitation and inspiration. Whoever wants to learn will make
optimal use of whatever technology is available.
Both Chris O'Hagan and George Free seem to be suggesting
that the limiting element in formal classroom learning might be the
teacher. I think I would agree if I read them correctly. Learning is
hard work and as Gilbert Highet said, young people don't like hard
work. Good teaching will inspire the young to learn. In my
opinion it makes no difference at all what technology they use.
Bob
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