EDULEARN21 - Ron Beghetto: The Beautiful Risk of Moving Toward Pedagogies of the Possible

Summary

This video explores the concept of 'beautiful risks' in education, highlighting the value of open-ended questions and student-led discussions. It illustrates how a student's innovative thinking about odd and even numbers led to a rich classroom dialogue, fostering creativity and collaboration. The speaker advocates for a pedagogy of the possible, encouraging educators to design learning experiences that allow for exploration and multiple perspectives. By embracing uncertainty and inviting student agency, teachers can enhance learning outcomes and cultivate a more dynamic educational environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Beautiful risks in education can lead to meaningful learning experiences.
• 😀 A pedagogy of the possible encourages creativity and exploration rather than conformity.
• 😀 High-performing students often lack creative confidence, highlighting the need for supportive environments.
• 😀 Open-ended learning experiences allow students to define their own problems and solutions.
• 😀 Non-linear learning processes embrace iterations and flexibility in understanding.
• 😀 Encouraging multiple perspectives enhances collaboration and creativity among students.
• 😀 A future-oriented approach focuses on generating new ideas rather than strict adherence to predetermined outcomes.
• 😀 Real-world examples, like the classroom discussion on odd and even numbers, showcase the value of unexpected student input.
• 😀 Educators should identify non-negotiable learning elements while allowing student creativity.
• 😀 The metaphor of Picasso's bowl series illustrates the importance of designing lessons that encourage personalization and exploration.

Q & A

What was the main idea presented by the student named Shawn?

Shawn proposed that there are numbers that can be both odd and even, which sparked an interesting discussion among the class.

How did the teacher and students respond to Shawn's idea?

They engaged in an impassioned conversation to explore and refine Shawn's concept, ultimately recognizing a new classification of numbers that could be grouped in pairs.

What did the class decide to call the newly classified numbers?

The class decided to call them 'Shawn's numbers' after the student who proposed the idea.

What does the speaker mean by 'beautiful risk' in the context of education?

A 'beautiful risk' refers to the willingness of educators to explore unconventional ideas and allow students to contribute creatively, even when it challenges traditional thinking.

What role does technology play in facilitating learning experiences according to the speaker?

Technology can serve as a facilitator by providing creative artifacts, like videos, that allow for ongoing engagement and learning opportunities.

How does the speaker suggest designing learning experiences?

The speaker suggests creating a balance between predetermined elements and opportunities for student input, allowing for creativity and problem-solving in the learning process.

What visual metaphor does the speaker use to illustrate lesson design?

The speaker uses Picasso's bowl series to illustrate that lessons can start as a fully rendered concept, but should evolve into a wireframe model that allows students to add their own definitions.

What is the significance of allowing students to identify their own problems to solve?

Allowing students to identify their own problems fosters ownership of their learning and encourages them to think critically and creatively.

What did the speaker mean by 'non-negotiable elements' in lesson design?

Non-negotiable elements refer to the essential components of a lesson that must be included to meet educational standards and objectives.

What are secondary creative outcomes in the context of classroom discussions?

Secondary creative outcomes are the additional insights and understanding that emerge from collaborative discussions and explorations of ideas among students.