Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:1191] Re: Autonomous Learning
From: Bob Leamnson (RLEAMNSON@umassd.edu)
Date: Tue 20 Feb 2001 - 19:54:45 MET
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001 13:54:45 -0500 (EST) From: Bob Leamnson <RLEAMNSON@umassd.edu> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:1191] Re: Autonomous Learning
Beware the Preposterism
I learned the word "preposterism" from Jacques Barzun. He uses it in
matters educational to mean trying to get to the end without traversing the
means. Recent postings on autonomous learning (sometimes lifelong learning)
open the door for a preposterism, i.e. trying to start with autonomous
learning when in fact it is a distant goal--the place where we should be
ending.
Most college/university teachers are themselves autonomous learners,
but the relevant question is, how did we get there? Few of us could do at
19 what we can do (or could do) at 50. Autonomous learning is not a simple
skill one picks up, it's a habit of mind that develops gradually and with
practice. If autonomous learning were something "picked up" by one-trial
learning, a single course called "autonomous learning" would eliminate the
need for all this brickwork. Autonomous learners don't need teachers.
The path to autonomous learning is like the path to good
citizenship--neither short nor direct.
Bob
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