Lesson Purpose
We often teach dogs a few basic tricks, such as how to sit, stay, and fetch. However, have you ever seen dogs teach one another tricks? They might mimic each other's behaviour, but that's really not the same thing. Humans, on the other hand, can deliberately pass information to each other and teach one another new skills. This makes it much easier for each generation to pick up where the previous one left off, and it's why we are the only species able to dominate the biosphere. But why have humans evolved into such a powerful species? What makes us special? Here the story continues, as our ancestors evolve from early Homo sapiens to more intelligent being who are able to learn collectively. Collective learning is the foundation on which modern society is built, and the reason our species continues to build upon what previous generations created.
The outcomes of this lesson are: 1.) To explain whether or not symbolic language makes humans different; 2.) To explain collective learning; 3.) To understand what scholars from multiple disciplines know about a topic and the questions they can ask to gain an understanding of the topic from an integrated perspective.
The outcomes of this lesson are: 1.) To explain whether or not symbolic language makes humans different; 2.) To explain collective learning; 3.) To understand what scholars from multiple disciplines know about a topic and the questions they can ask to gain an understanding of the topic from an integrated perspective.
Activity 1 - Collective Learning Snap Judgement
Activity Objectives
In this Snap Judgment, you will use your knowledge of collective learning to decide whether a statement is true or false. The goal of this activity is to raise some key questions that will be answered throughout the lesson regarding collective learning and what makes humans different from other animals. This will help gauge prior knowledge, get you thinking about these important questions as you dive into the lesson, and give you a reference point to see how your thinking changes over the course of the lesson. Activity Tasks
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Activity 2 - "Collective Learning" (Part 1)
Activity Objectives
In this reading you will learn about the important role symbolic language plays in the human ability to collectively learn. This concept is essential to understanding Threshold 6: Collective Learning. Activity Tasks
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Activity 3 - Common Man H2
Activity Objectives
This short video is packed with ideas about what makes humans different from other species, and how our curiosity and collaboration have led us to explore and create things that no other species has accomplished in the 4.5 billion year history of Earth. Activity Tasks
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Collective learning is the key to the success of our species. Our curiosity and our ability to cooperate and collectively learn are the essential ingredients in the Big History story of us.
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Activity 4 - Claim Testing: Collective Learning
Activity Objectives
You should be familiar with this activity from previous lessons. You should use the four claim testers to analyse the claims on the worksheet and decide whether they are true, false, or if they need more information. Activity Tasks
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Activity 5 - Early Collective Learning
Activity Objectives
This video briefly explains the reasons why we differ from other species, which is essential to understanding the main theme of this lesson. Professor John Shea stresses the importance of taking an interdisciplinary approach to figuring out what makes humans different. Activity Tasks
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Humans and primates share many characteristics including the forming of social groups, hierarchical relationships, and family units. However, there are also many things that make us different. One of the most important differences is our ability to use symbolic language to record, preserve, and share information. Collective learning is one of the key characteristics of humanity
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Activity 6 - Driving Question Notebook
Activity Objectives
In the last lesson, you took a stab at answering Unit 6 driving question. Now you’ve been exposed to more information, you’ll revisit the question: What makes humans different from other species? This time, you will cite specific passages and evidence from the content in the unit that provide insights into answering the driving question. Activity Tasks
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Challenge Yourself! - Optional Activities
1. Collective Learning at Scale - Learn why humans, more than any other species, have made such a profound impression on the biosphere.
2. The World Wide Web is a prime example of collective learning and information sharing. The first-ever website was published in 1991, and the total number of websites is now over 1 billion.
3. The origin of language is "the hardest problem in science." One among many ideas is 'putting the baby down' theory. Vocal interactions between early hominid mothers and infants developed into 'motherese', and eventually, to our ancestors' earliest words.
2. The World Wide Web is a prime example of collective learning and information sharing. The first-ever website was published in 1991, and the total number of websites is now over 1 billion.
3. The origin of language is "the hardest problem in science." One among many ideas is 'putting the baby down' theory. Vocal interactions between early hominid mothers and infants developed into 'motherese', and eventually, to our ancestors' earliest words.