Embedded Files
A: Time is so far from us, but time is among us...
A: Time is so far from us, but time is among us...
B.C./A.D. vs. B.C.E./C.E.
B.C./A.D. vs. B.C.E./C.E.
Though we may have changed how we name time, the distance from us remains unchanged...
Except for each passing year making history farther and farther away!
B: Collective Learning
B: Collective Learning
About 200,000 years ago, man evolved to become the most important force for change on the Earth's surface. What makes us so different from other living things? How did we, together, make something entirely new?
C: Say what?
C: Say what?
Humans are a unique species in the animal world because they have the ability for collective learning.
In most species, individuals acquire knowledge over a lifetime, but this knowledge is lost when the individual dies. This is NOT the case with humans, who have language and can pass on knowledge from individual to individual and generation to generation.
Collective learning allowed humans to innovate and learn to a degree not possible before, and it allowed humans to share, preserve, and build upon the knowledge of an individual rather than losing that knowledge when the individual died.
Collective learning allowed humans to innovate and learn to a degree not possible before, and it allowed humans to share, preserve, and build upon the knowledge of an individual rather than losing that knowledge when the individual died.
So, what is it?
So, what is it?
Collective learning is one of the developments that made our species distinct from others. It is the human ability to use language to share and pool information.
This ability helped us to innovate and to grow our knowledge and skills over time. But it is also possible for a ‘glitch’ to get in the system and for mistaken ideas to be spread through collective learning.
D: Do you want to play a game???
D: Do you want to play a game???
Though it may be easier for us to think and communicate at a higher level than our ancestors, there still are inherent challenges that only can be conquered using collective learning.
From charades (actions), to Pictionary (cave art), to catchphrase (verbal language), to the written word, our ability to learn from each other and build onto our existing knowledge is surpassed by no other creature on the planet!
Directions: Using the word generator, we will be playing three (3) rounds to demonstrate the ability of hominins to convey information through the various stages of communication development.
E: QUEST - Collective Learning
E: QUEST - Collective Learning
F: Early Evidence of Collective Learning
F: Early Evidence of Collective Learning
What EVIDENCE exists that humans used collective learning?
What EVIDENCE exists that humans used collective learning?
Whether it was stone tools, changes in the human skull, or mutant genes (calling Professor Charles Xavier...): John Shea discusses some of the early evidence we have for collective learning.
G: What are "Goldilocks" Conditions?
G: What are "Goldilocks" Conditions?
The term "Goldilocks" refers to the tale of the girl who came across the house of the three bears and ate the porridge that was "just right" (see video...).
The ingredients and Goldilocks Conditions necessary for collective learning are powerful brains and precise and versatile symbolic language. The Goldilocks Conditions are the interactions between individuals and between communities that enable the transfer and storage of information.
H: The New Age Monkeys - NOT a band name (but it should be...)
H: The New Age Monkeys - NOT a band name (but it should be...)
Human evolution led to enhanced understanding and, later, innovation
Human evolution led to enhanced understanding and, later, innovation
Over time, as humans changed physically, mentally, and socially, their ability to pass on information and build on previous knowledge and experiences grew.
Ultimately, tinkering and innovation were the first signs of collective learning that demonstrated the human capacity to collaborate and improve on prior knowledge, experiences, and inventions.
I: Evolution through collective learning fuels migration
I: Evolution through collective learning fuels migration
Report abuse