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EDCI 531 James Becker Case Study Assignment #3 Case Study: Constructivism - Ricks Americaine Cafe III Description: Located in Casablanca in the 1940s during World War II, Ricks Americaine Caf was a popular dive, offering a place for employees and refugees of diverse backgrounds and problems. However, Rick's was fortunate to have a new manager, Sam, with a background in a new learning theory, Radical Behaviorism. In spite of constantly dealing with intrusions from French Police and occasionally German officers, Sam had managed to make these intrusions training opportunities for the employees. Add to this knowledge of Samss a new interest in Situated Cognition. Sam and Rick were sitting in the backroom after closing, with a tumbler of whiskey each, going over the different issues of the day. The usual ups and downs of running the place were always there, but since they began focusing on employee education and development, Rick had begun to see there was an alternative to firing someone every time he was unhappy with them. I tell you Sam, youve got this place running like a clock, Said Rick, I only see one set of problems now. Whats that Rick? asked Sam somewhat surprised since he wasnt sure Rick had been paying attention. That Peter Lorre type character that you hired to work at the bar and cappuccino machine, replied Rick, I dont think he understands the concept of the learning community. He just wants to do his own thing. That and he keeps going on about some dumb black bird this, blackbird that. That is Peter Lorre, said Sam, And hes talking about the Maltese Falcon. The Maltese what?!....Look Sam, Im surprised at you, thats not the point, he and some of the other guys and dames, dont seem to take to the normal way of teaching them. I think its time you dug a little deeper. Rick that is the most sensible, sensitive thing Ive ever heard you say. Rick grimaces, Sam if you tell anyone I said it Ill bust up your baby grand! Rick left Sam to ponder his next move. Sam was at the bar for breakfast the next morning when a mysterious stranger walked in and ordered some oatmeal. He introduced himself as a professor from the Casablanca University, Department of Psychology. Sam asked him what his thoughts were on learning and the difficulties of teaching people who seemed to not enjoy a particular way of learning. The man took off his hat and pulled out an unusual looking futuristic device. Did you have a visitor a few weeks ago named Wenger? asked the man. Yes I did. replied Sam. Well he left behind this strange little device he called it a pad or I something or other, but it

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has a bunch of books on it from the future. One of the pieces talks about something you might find interesting. Its called ConstructivismI know, doesnt sound like a real word, but thats part of the profession, we spend a lot of time on creating words that have at least five syllables. Anyway, this thing constructivism has five conditions or main goals of learning: (Driscoll, 2005): 1. Complex, realistic and relevant environments that incorporate authentic activity, which translated means: True to life experiences that are like real life or simulate it. Makes the learning more meaningful for the learner. 2. Social negotiation- Collaboration and working together to accomplish things not possible as individual 3. Multiple perspectives and multiple modes of negotiation-Meaning theres more than one way to learn something and/or view something. 4. Self Awareness in Knowledge being aware of the building of knowledge, the process. The goals are, 1. Reasoning; 2. Critical Thinking; 3. Retention, understanding and use; 4. Cognitive flexibility; 5 Self-regulation; 6 Mindful reflections, epistemic flexibility. See what I mean? A lot of long words. Yes, but I think they make a lot of sense for the problems Im talking about, said Sam, Finish your oatmeal and we can talk some more. Reflective Questions How can Sam and Rick help employees who dont like to collaborate, or just dont get the concept of working together to accomplish things? How can they get employees to take more ownership of their learning? How can they add problem solving elements to the work environment and help develop reasoning and critical thinking? If an employee doesnt understand a concept, what are some different ways constructivism can help them to learn? Will employees really be willing to take responsibility for their own learning? What would the benefit be if they ultimately met some of the goals mentioned by the professor? Potential Solutions

Many of the issues that remain at Ricks are things that come with individual learners perhaps needing some different perspectives or ideas. Collaboration is easy to talk about, but actually it requires a much higher level of individual ability to listen and play a part. Collaborative learning and scaffolding may be a concept that would help, though they lack the computers, they still have the ability to track progress and identify learning goals. They could then look at

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developing scenarios and role plays that could play into problem solving to learn. If employees who have problems with other methods buy into it, then it might open the door for Sam to get creative and show them the process of knowledge building, reasoning, critical thinking and other goals suggested by the professor. Understanding the building of knowledge will hopefully help the employees to see how they can become more responsible for their own learning and for themselves as employees. With self regulating as a goal of constructivism, Sam can use this as an overall goal for Ricks employees. Problem solving in a collaborative way may also be a concern Rick was expressing to Sam. If Peter Lorre cannot work well with others, how is he going to contribute to problem solving with customers and other employees? Peter as an actor may enjoy role playing and benefit from seeing how his current behavior may be interfering with the solving of problems. Taking responsibility for their own learning may seem out of reach, but if the employees have made progress in developing learning communities as Rick alluded to, then it may be a matter of bringing along stragglers and new folks. Making the training interactive, fun, yet connecting it to real life situations, could help Sam bring new people along faster. They can also make use of more experienced employees to help run the trainings, providing an opportunity to take responsibility for the work environment. If Sam and Rick can continue to bring employees along, then the goals of reasoning, critical thinking, retention and understanding, cognitive flexibility, self regulation, mindful reflection, might not far out of reach. They just need to be mindful of learners who are not as active, or dont seem to respond well in less structure. For some learners, Sam may need to use more traditional one on one methods may work better.