Modes of Learning: Hierarchical Individual

Writing about web page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H14bBuluwB8

So the Hierarchical Individual as a modes of Learning is a mode that emphasizes individual achievement and is described as having clearly-defined metrics for success. Prime examples of this mode of learning is the classical classroom learning that most people experience (either enjoyably or not) and might or might not learn from.

What is this mode all about?

This mode of learning has clear goals that could be smmarised as (1) achieving success in academic context and (2) scoring learners on a scale of academic success. The idea of academic success is deeply rooted in this kind of learning ideal. In fact, learners who are subject to this kind of learning are taught from a very early stage and throughout this mode that academic success is very important, so important, that it is the most important thing individuals learn. Those individuals who are mostly responsible for their success.

How this learning happens?

Basically, it is the responsibility of the individual to learn in this mode, that's why it is the effort of the learner that mostly shapes the outcome of the learning process. but that's not all, also, teacher play an important (but limited) role here; providing the academic work and knowledge that the learner has to acquire.

Structurally, this mode of learning is (as the name suggests) hierarchical, where we see the learners on the bottom of a pyramid and the teacher on top. And according to the dogma of this mode, individuals who do well deserve success, not just academic but also social and economic, this is the philosophy behind our practices of 'rewarding' those who score highest in school with access to graduate schools and higher education.

Scoring high is very important here, because success is defined by measurements, standards and assessments.

According to Psychology professor Angela Lee Duckworth, the key to success in this mode of learning is "Grit", who believes that people succeed when they set long-term goals and stick to them.

Grit is sticking with your future — day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years — and working really hard to make that future a reality.

~Angela Lee Duckworth

You can listen to Prof. Duckworth explain her theory of “Grit” in a six-minute TED talk here.

My own personal creed

So in a previous post (see here), i mentioned that this mode of learning represents best my own perception of learning. people who self-identify with this mode of learning enjoy learning in a classroom and believe in discrete measurement of outcome. I believe knowledge transfer is a prime goal to learning and that validation of this transfer is necessary to evaluate the learning process. That's why, I think this mode of learning is valid. It has served us for millennia and continues to do so.

Mohammad Waseem Sandouk : 11 Aug 2014 00:24 |  Tags: Duckworth Elmore Grit Gse2X Harvardx Leaders Learning Talk Ted |  Comments (0) |  Report a problem