"Collaborative Learning and the Conversation of Mankind"

Collaborative learning is the vehicle in which learning is changed. In "Collaborative Learning and the Conversation of Man," Kenneth Bruffee discusses the power and advantages of using collaborative learning. Peer tutoring and in-class work have shown to be successful in a college setting, thus starting the movement towards collaborative learning in the classroom. Bruffee states in his article, "Collaborative learning, it seemed, harnessed the powerful educative force of peer influence that had been-and largely still is-ignored and hence wasted by traditional forms of education." Collaborative learning is the next big advancement in student learning. Michael Oakeshott argues that humans are different from any another living thing in that we are able to talk in unending conversation. There are limitations in conversing with ourselves. Bruffee believes that ideas can only arise through conversation with peers and collaborative learning. Conversation brings forth endless possibilities in intellectual thought.

Writing and conversation are one in the same. Writing is conversation that is made public. Bruffee insists that writing teachers use collaborative learning in their everyday teaching. Students can talk in a relaxed environment in which knowledge flows from one student to the next. Learning is not just about listening to a teacher in front of the classroom. The student must become involved. Students learn to challenge and question themselves and the world. If the teacher fails at her job and there is no collaborative learning, the community of knowledge will die. Collaborative knowledge seeks to broaden this knowledge in students. Together, students will grow in learning. After all, humans were made to converse with one another.

Questions on Data

1. The data I retrieved from the Shakespeare concordance on music was found in Act I, Scenes I, II, Act II, Scenes III, IV, Act 3, Scene I and Act 5, Scene I. The theme Shakespeare employs with music is love and how love is blinding. Music is able to stir emotional feelings in persons. Music is powerful with its lyrics, tune and melody. Duke Orsino states in the beginning of Act I, Scene I that "If music be the food of love, play on;" This quote shows music's ability to create feelings in human beings.

2. The data I retrieved supports my first thoughts on Shakespeare's obsessive use of a particular image in that the theme of music stays constant throughout the play. Shakespeare carries similar themes and images in his plays. Shakespeare's figuration is repetitive in order to get certain points and images across to the reader. He writes all his figurations to have meanings.

3. The thematic strand I have located is music-sing-song-tune.