Comments on: Learning through a narrative http://andremalan.net/blog/2010/06/27/learning-through-a-narrative/ Hacking Education and Technology Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:09:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Raul Pacheco-Vega, PhD http://andremalan.net/blog/2010/06/27/learning-through-a-narrative/comment-page-1/#comment-1800 Raul Pacheco-Vega, PhD Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:31:48 +0000 http://andremalan.net/?p=499#comment-1800 With my students, I have used the narrative method only for assessment so far - I have asked them to tell me a story, to build the storyline of what they learned and their personal journey throughout the course. Most of them found it really helpful. In one particular case, it helped me connect with the student on a personal level and I was able to help him with career choices, etc. He found out in writing his narrative that he was, in fact, able to connect with me on a personal level and that I was genuinely interested in his well being and future (as I am in every single student of mine). Now, the use of a narrative and central theme for learning throughout a full degree, I find that EXTREMELY interesting. Thanks Andre for sparking my thoughts around this topic. With my students, I have used the narrative method only for assessment so far – I have asked them to tell me a story, to build the storyline of what they learned and their personal journey throughout the course. Most of them found it really helpful. In one particular case, it helped me connect with the student on a personal level and I was able to help him with career choices, etc. He found out in writing his narrative that he was, in fact, able to connect with me on a personal level and that I was genuinely interested in his well being and future (as I am in every single student of mine).

Now, the use of a narrative and central theme for learning throughout a full degree, I find that EXTREMELY interesting. Thanks Andre for sparking my thoughts around this topic.

]]> By: Matt Corker http://andremalan.net/blog/2010/06/27/learning-through-a-narrative/comment-page-1/#comment-1635 Matt Corker Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:43:45 +0000 http://andremalan.net/?p=499#comment-1635 Imagine if every student chose a central topic before they chose a major/degree program - and then had a mentor (grad student/staff/faculty/alum/industry professional) that they met with to discuss how their curriculum relates to their topic. It could provide students in the larger majors (Biology, Psychology, etc) with a little more direction as they go through their degree. Nice find Andre - you've peaked my interest! Imagine if every student chose a central topic before they chose a major/degree program – and then had a mentor (grad student/staff/faculty/alum/industry professional) that they met with to discuss how their curriculum relates to their topic. It could provide students in the larger majors (Biology, Psychology, etc) with a little more direction as they go through their degree.
Nice find Andre – you’ve peaked my interest!

]]> By: Zack http://andremalan.net/blog/2010/06/27/learning-through-a-narrative/comment-page-1/#comment-1634 Zack Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:38:06 +0000 http://andremalan.net/?p=499#comment-1634 The book reminds of discussions in Arts about having optional interdisciplinary capstone courses. The idea that we've come to suggest is to have several courses that focus on specific issues and students register for the one they want to "solve". It will be open to students from other faculties as well in order to have a wider pool of knowledge to draw on. Instructors will be there to facilitate and guide but the students are suppose to define the problem, draw/share their expertise, design a project and actually make it into reality. Of course, I don't know if it will actually happen. It was discussed just before the last term of the last Dean. The book reminds of discussions in Arts about having optional interdisciplinary capstone courses.

The idea that we’ve come to suggest is to have several courses that focus on specific issues and students register for the one they want to “solve”. It will be open to students from other faculties as well in order to have a wider pool of knowledge to draw on. Instructors will be there to facilitate and guide but the students are suppose to define the problem, draw/share their expertise, design a project and actually make it into reality.

Of course, I don’t know if it will actually happen. It was discussed just before the last term of the last Dean.

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