Case-based learning

The school of the future (as described at the end of the Schank chapter) sounds great. However, it also sounds like quite a clash with the priorities of NCLB. I won't get on my soapbox (again) but why isn't NCLB on the way out?

So: what is learning? I think I'm seeing a real theme throughout the learning theories so far, actually. First of all, learning doesn't take place independently as a simple input in, input out equation. Instead, it is dependent on prior experience, and the learner must make meaning of new input based on what his/her previous learning and experience has been. Secondly, learning is not meaningful and permanent if the learner is simply told a fact and asked to remember it. Instead, the learner must be allowed to work the facts out for him or herself. In fact, Schank kind of disparages people who do remember a lot of random facts!

I was fascinated by the storytelling idea. It is so true. I take the example of the example. Hearing a fact in isolation leaves me confused, usually. But, give me an example of what that fact looks like in real life, and suddenly I understand what it means to me. Also, isn't it always more interesting to listen to someone talk when they incorporate stories?

So, what should a teacher do? Don't try to spoonfeed it to them--make them put it together and eat it themselves. Also, make sure and incorporate stories that will make students think and also help them remember their own stories.

Beware: Star Trek reference follows! I don't know how many of you are trekkies (probably not many) but this theory made me remember an episode of Next Gen where Picard was stuck on this planet with this alien captain and Picard couldn't understand anything he said, even with the Universal Translator. Turns out their whole language was based on stories, and since Picard hadn't heard any of the stories, he didn't understand any of the references.