Otto's+EDEN+Speech,+2004

=__** Otto's EDEN Speech, 2004 **__= These ideas were the ones that caught my attention the most: · Constructivism and the cognitive theory support the idea of autonomous learners · “Education should encourage self development” · Other educators and philosophers have made an impact in the idea of autonomous learning such as Maria Montessori (autami a farlo da solo) · Distance education should strengthen students’ skills · Learning is never a steady process, we construct and reconstruct

While listening to professor Otto Peters’ speech made me think of how important autonomous learning is in distance education and any educational setting. While I was doing my bachelors degree in education I was always inspired by Maria Montessori and her ideas. I’d like to share some of key points of her theory.   · ** The goal of education according to Montessori: **  · ** “The development of a complete human being, oriented to the environment, and adapted to his or her time, place and culture” **  · ** According to Paula Polk Montessori teachers do not “teach”. The teacher observes the children to discover their needs and interests based on their stages in self-formation and their individual personalities. Then they can attempt to present the materials or activities to the children that match their developmental needs. It is the children’s decision to use the materials and do the activities and then learning takes place. **  · ** “The teacher’s task is to first nourish and assist, to watch, encourage, guide, induce, rather than to interfere, prescribe and restrict “ (Montessori, 1912) **  · ** Montessori education mixes freedom with responsibility and an active role from the learner, academic excellence, social awareness and moral development. **  · ** “Education is to guide activity, not repress it” (Montessori, 1912) **

__ References __ Montessori, M. (2002). // The Montessori Method. // Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, INC. Polk, L. P. (1996). // Montessori today: A comprehensive approach to education from birth to adulthood. //   New York, NY: Shocken Books.