Senin, 08 Agustus 2011

A Perspective of Learning by Illich

Many opinions stated about learning. One of them is from Illich. If you want to know more about him you can click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Illich. This is a short review on Illich perspective about learning. Illich stated on his book "Descooling Society" that:

“In fact, learning is the human activity which at least needs manipulation by others. Most learning is not the result of instruction. It is rather the result of unhampered participation in a meaningful setting. Most people learn best by being ‘with it’, yet school makes them identify their personal cognitive growth with elaborate planning and manipulation.”


The awareness of the nature of learning is necessary for teacher especially to find out the basis of his effective teaching practices. In this case, teachers might have different opinions towards .... learning depending on how they take point of view. This point of view will certainly influence how teachers base their teaching practices.
According to Illich on his statement, there are some important points to underline such as:

1. Human activity
Nobody is objected that learning is a process done by human. This implies that the activity is not limited by time, hours, or places.

2. Least manipulation
Learning cannot take place when it is manipulated by teacher. If it is so, the process of learning will not be as efficient as expected. The learners feel not free to do what they want.

3. Not the result of instruction
If learning is defined as the result of instruction (pengajaran), the process of learning is designed by teacher. In this case, teacher often thinks that everything is already well designed according to the students’ needs and interest. In fact, it does not always run as expected since interesting or not does not depend on the teacher, but the learner.

4. Unhampered participation
It implies that there is learner’s awareness and involvement in the process of learning. This factor is necessary for the success process of learning.

5. Meaningful setting
There should be a meaningful setting in learning in which learners shall find the benefit from it. Again, it is not the teacher who decides but learners.

6. Learning best by being ‘with it’
There might be a situation in learning when learners are physically present but the mind is away. If it happens when learning, learning will not be as powerful as the situation when both of physical and mind are present.

Questions:
1. Which base is better in learning, manipulation or willingness?
Answer: Willingness. Learning might be manipulated but the result will not be as efficient as expected. Learners will have greater motivation and interest in learning if it is based on their willingness.

2. What is the final result of Learning?
Answer: the final result of learning is the presence of continuous learning. It implies that a good learner is the one who never stops learning.

3. Can learner learn effectively if he is given a choice of learning designed by teacher?
For example bringing learner to library room and do what the teacher expects.
Answer: It can be effective if it is discussed first with learners. A teacher often assumes things are interesting, though the learners might think differently. Thus, when designing the setting for learners, choices are better given to learners so that they have freedom to do what they want.

4. Can the theory of meaningful setting be applied at school or institution?
Answer: Yes, it will achieve an expected output where every element involved in school or institution performs well in running his duty or responsibility.


Do you agree with the opinions and the probable answers for each questions? You may have different opinion on it but you shall agree that this perspective will affect your teaching practice. So, beware of your learning perspective!

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