Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ Study debunks myth of the fast learner

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

Thisis a Carnegie Mellon PR piece reporting on a study (11 page PDF) that shows that learners generally learn at roughly the same pace. "The data, gleaned from learning science repository DataShop, indicated that learners master new concepts by having opportunities to practice them. 'The data showed that achievement gaps come from differences in learning opportunities and that better access to such opportunities can help close those gaps,' Koedinger says." Maybe it's time we stopped blaming failure on students (whether it be theories about IQ, growth mindset, grit, or whatever) and started looking at providing opportunities for all. "No matter who you are, you can do it. You might have had fewer prior opportunities in your life, so it may be harder at first than it is for other people, but you will make just as much progress as anyone else as long as you stick to it."

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
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Last Updated: Nov 23, 2024 5:11 p.m.

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