6.2 - Collective Learning - Island School History

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.

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

Look at the following five statements and vote quickly on whether they are true or false:
1. An example of collective learning can be seen when a lioness teaches her cubs to hunt
2. The ability to use language has not played an important role in the development of collective learning.
3. Humans are the only species with the ability to learn collectively.
4. Collective learning has not empowered humans.
5. Collective learning should not be defined as the sixth threshold of increasing complexity.

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

Read the article 'Collective Learning Part One' and answer these questions:
1. What is collective learning?
2. What has allowed humans to get continuously better at collective learning?
3. Why does David Christian define collective learning as the sixth threshold of increasing complexity?
4. Discuss - Why and how has collective learning changed over time?

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

Watch the video and try to answer the following questions:
1. 1:20 Why are humans the first species to be able to migrate into all areas of the Earth and even explore into space?
2. 2:21 How do humans, animals, and plants have a symbiotic relationship?
3. Discuss - What do you think might be some future examples of collective learning?

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.

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

Read the five claims on this worksheet and decide whether they are true or false or whether you need more information.
For each claim, explain why you think that and which claim tester you used to make your decision.
Remember, the four claim testers are:
1. Intuition - Does your gut reaction tell you the claim is reliable? Do you feel that the claim is true?
2. Authority - Does the person stating the claim have experience in that field? Are they trustworthy?
3. Logic - Does the claim make sense to you? Does it follow a clear line of reasoning?
4. Evidence - Do you have facts that others can 'see' that support the claim?

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

Watch the video and try to answer these questions:
1. 0:42 According to Professor Shea, what makes humans different from primates?
2. 0:47 Why is speech or symbolic language such an important piece in the distinction between humans and other species?
3. 1:08 How is the study of the origins of spoken language an interdisciplinary quest?
4. Discuss - Professor Shea briefly touches on three different pieces of the puzzle regarding the origins of spoken language. What are these three pieces of evidence? Do you agree with all of these explanations? Why or why not? Do you think there might be other explanations for the development of spoken language?

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

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

Look back over the content covered in the past three lessons. Write down any quotes or evidence that provides new insights into the driving question: What makes humans different from other species?
Now use these new insights to complete columns two and three of your DQ Notebook worksheet.

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.

TAKE THE QUIZ!