Learning Through Conversation

Right, well first off, was there really no group learning before the 1980s?? I find that difficult to fathom...rows of students each in their own little worlds doing their own little projects. Perhaps it is because I grew up with group learning that it seems absurd that teachers never assigned collaborative projects until about 30 years ago. It just seems odd to me that no one thought of it before then, I mean, working in groups as a child is probably what helped me most in learning to function as a part of society as opposed to a complete independent. I believe that it is necessary for a child to learn how to work with others seeing as how he/she will eventually need to get a job that will most likely require him/her to be able to work smoothly with others such as his/her boss.

So back to the idea of the article, Bruffee talks about the idea of people learning through conversation, in other words, talking ideas over with other people is more beneficial than mulling them over in your own solitary mind. I completely agree with this sentiment. Everyone has different points of view and different values that they live their lives by, and trust me, there is no way that you will ever be able to imagine all these different perspectives all on your own. These other people are necessary for you to be able to progress to stronger and more concrete conclusions. There are certain things that you will not take into consideration when interpreting something, be it literature or science, that other people will.

Discussing everyone's various interpretations

will lead to a better understanding of the subject being discussed for everyone

which will lead to better communication between individuals

which will lead to a better society

which will lead to a better LIFE in general!

so anyways....

Discussing your ideas with others will help you better defend your argument as others with different philosophies than your own will be better equipped to challenge your ideas than yourself. Who knows, through arguing with other people you may find that you agree more with what the other person is saying through his/her counterpoints and examples and through that revelation come to a better understanding of yourself. There is probably some sort of really deep moral that I could write here...but I can't think of it at the moment...so I'm just gonna say, this whole collaborative learning conversation thing...DO IT!

that's all.

kthxbye =)