Some thoughts about doing Student learning outcomes in studio course:
The idea was for the students to reflect on the
process of learning, and get them to be more aware and active in their
participation and ownership of their education.
And improve their performance.
In the dramatic
opposite:
In the movie Karate kid, the student learns from
tasks that he has no idea are connected to his training. Mr. Miagie uses painting the fence and
washing his car to teach the student the correct karate moves.
There is a certain poetic beauity in this
teaching method, makes for a good moment in a movie, and I do think back on
classes I did not realize what they were for or what I had learned from them till
much later.
Most syllabi I’ve seen do include some form of
explaining the course objectives and project rubrics are shared with students.
There are obvious/practical benefits to the student knowing what is going on.
The more the student is aware of the purpose and
their part in the process, the more they can have ownership, status, self esteem and a
sense of contribution. This can help them to succeed.
This is the higher end of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. As an instructor, there is the possibility to help with this by making the student aware of and part of the learning process. The usual ways to fulfill the level below, need for social and emotional fulfillment,
if centered around non-productive or destructive sources, can also be in conflict with education and service to society. But as far as the hierarchy of needs, in the community college class room, there are a lot of students struggling with the physical and safety needs. That part may need to be addressed before we can expect education to get better. The usual ways one fulfill the next need up, need for social and emotional fulfillment,
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if centered around non-productive or destructive sources, can also be in conflict with education and service to society.
