ED 228 195 AUTHOR TITLE . INSTITUTION SPONS AGENCY REPORT Nd PUB DATE CONTRACT NOTE, AVAILABLE FROM PUB TYPE' . DOCUMENT RESUME SP 022 032 Buchmann, Margret; Schwille, John EduCation: The Overcoming of Experience. Michigan State Univ., East Lansing. Inst. for , Research on Teaching. Nativnal Inst. of Education (ED), Washington, DP. IRT-OP-63 Dec.82 400-81-0014 35p. Institute for Research ofi Teaching, Michigan State Univetsity, 252 Erickson Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824 ($3.25). Viewpoints (120) Information,Analyses ('070) _$.7. EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Pbstage. v DESCRIPTORS , *Concept Formation;°Discrimination Learning; Elementary Secondaily Education; *Experiektial Learning; Geheralization; *Learning Experience; *Learning Processes; Metacognition; Perceptual 'Motor, Learning; Vocational Education ABSTRACT The presupPositions that favor firsthand experience over secondhand information, as pertaining,to-learning and education, are questioned. It is noted that, when education and firsthand experience 4re described,as if equivalent, a presumption,is made that a commonsense theory of knowledge and mind is valid. Research on the social psychologyiof judgment is used to identify faulty inferences that frequently result from learning by firsthand experience:. These pitfalls are illustrated in a discussion of learning to teach. In considering how firsthand.experience can close avenues to4conceptual and'social change, it is pointed out that firsthand experience often fallaciously comfounds whatever happens in.life with necessity. The . example is given of vocatiohal education, ih which learning. by doing is advocated as ar means of fitting students into the real world, thereby curbing their aspirations. It is arguid that ideas'based on secondhand information are more likely,than firsthand experience to manifest both the real and the possible,.and:it is concluded that education (jives acce.ss to thought's arid theories that are,beyond-the scopeof firsthand experience. (JD) , ' ***/A*********************0******************************************* , .* Reproductions supplied by.EDRS axe the best that can be made * from the original document. *********************************************************************** 1.