New Learning: Principles and Patterns of Pedagogy

Education is in a state of flux – transitioning from traditional architectures and practices to new ecologies of teaching and learning influenced by the tremendous social and technological changes of our times. This course explores three pedagogical paradigms: "didactic," "authentic," and "transformative" learning. It takes a historical perspective in order to define the contemporary dimensions of what we term "new learning." It prepares participants to make purposeful choices and link particular theories/instructional approaches to individual and group learning goals.

This module explores some of the key terms of education: formal versus informal learning; and the distinctions that might be made between the terms "education," "curriculum," and "pedagogy." It also addresses the question of the differences between education as an art and a science.

In this module, course participants analyze two foundational paradigms of modern education, which we term "didactic" and "authentic" approaches.

In the final module of this course, we will be considering prospects for the future of education, imaging a "new learning" based on a repertoire of moves drawn from the didactic and authentic pedagogies. What does transformative education mean, in theory as well as in practice?