Evolution of Collective Learning
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY/ LESSON 4.3ACTIVITYEVOLUTION OF COLLECTIVE LEARNING1Unless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Evolution of Collective Learning,” OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/PurposeIdeas haven’t always spread at the same speed. By investigating how ideas moved in different periods, you will explain how changes in communication and transportation shaped collective learning over time. Process1.Read the driving questionand inquiry challenge.•Driving question: How and why has the speed of collective learning changed across history?•Inquiry challenge: You’re a historian investigatingwhy ideas spread slowly in some periods and rapidly in others. 2.Before you goany further,make a predictionby considering the following questions: When do you think ideas began to spread faster across long distances?What factors mattered most(for example: technology, distance, geography, trade networks)?Write your prediction in one or twosentences.3.Read each of the scenarios in the table on the next page and answer the questions. Remember that you’re notjust predicting the timeyou think it took for ideas to spread, you’re gathering evidence to answer the drivingquestion.
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY/ LESSON 4.3ACTIVITYEVOLUTION OF COLLECTIVE LEARNING2ScenarioEstimate: How longdid it take ideas to spread?What factors affectedthe speedof collective learning?What does this reveal about collective learningat this time?Foragers living in southern Africa sharing ideas with foragers living in northern Africa, c. 13,000 BCECity dwellers living in Mesopotamia sharing ideas with people living in India, c. 3000 BCESilk Road merchants at a trading post in central Asia sharing ideas with people living in ancient Rome,c. 200 CEExplorers in Spain sharing ideas with Indigenous people in Mexico, c. 1515CEMigrants traveling fromEngland sharing ideas with people living in New York City, c. 1875CE People living in Christchurch, New Zealand,sharing ideas with people living in Lima, Peru, c. 2026 CE
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY/ LESSON 4.3ACTIVITYEVOLUTION OF COLLECTIVE LEARNING34.Now compare across all scenariosand answerthe questions below. a.Which time periods had the fastestcollective learning?b.Which time periods had the slowest collective learning?c.What patterns do you notice over time?d.Which scenario would surprisesomeone from a different time period?Why?5.Chooseone of the competing explanations below. Circle your choice. In two or three sentences, provide your evidence for which explanation best accountsfor the changes you observed.•Ideas spread faster mainly because of new technologies.•Ideas spread faster mainly because of larger networks and connections.•Ideas spread faster mainly because of fewer geographic barriers.
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY/ LESSON 4.3ACTIVITYEVOLUTION OF COLLECTIVE LEARNING46.Lookat the mapbelowand answer thesequestions: a.Did distance always determine how long ideastook to spread?Explain your reasoning.b.What factorsallowedideas to spreadquickly?
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY/ LESSON 4.3ACTIVITYEVOLUTION OF COLLECTIVE LEARNING57.Use what you’ve learned towrite a four-or five-sentence response tothe drivingquestion: How and why has the speed of collective learning changed across history?Your response should include: •Claim: Write a claim that answers the question.•Evidence: Use two or threeexamples from the scenarios.•Reasoning: Explain why those changes happened.