Activity 20: Exploring rhizomatic learning

Answering some questions

Firstly, my understanding of rhizomatic learning is that it is based on the idea that learning creates itself, it is similar to a tree root structure that has no imposed structure, but where the roots grow where they can and where they will be strongest.

• Were you convinced by rhizomatic learning as an approach?

I believe that this is an approach that already exists, this is simply a label to describe something that does not have a central proponent. For example how people build open source software, they have skills that they bring to the project, which may have originally been thought up by an individual or a small group, but they will frequently have to learn more in order to be able to produce something that works.

• Could you imagine implementing rhizomatic learning?

This completely depends on the circumstances. It is an approach that might lend itself more obviously to some things (like creative projects) rather than a specific subject with outcomes.

• How might rhizomatic learning differ from current approaches?

What happens to "outcomes" and "objectives"? Assessment would have to be very different and having looked, briefly, at Dave Cormier's class (http://ed366.com/) it seems that this approach may be suited to those who want to experiment with the ideas of learning themselves. I don't know, I was put off by not being able to find a description or structure, I was unable to understand why I would invest any time in this.

• What issues would arise in implementing rhizomatic learning?

Our natural need to be right or wrong, to be praised, to feel successful. The success needs to come from the learning itself and that might not be enough.