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Two Epistemological Models

There are two epistemological models at work here, and they may be seen to be closely related to the particle/wave model of quantum physics. Since we're dealing with objects larger than the dimensions of quantum physics, I have taken the liberty to rename the particle: I call it the "Cannonball" view of knowledge.

Cannonball

• Impenetrable
• Unchanging
• Commodifiable
• Saleable
• Testable/Quantifiable

This view of knowledge sees it as a hard and palpable object, "globed fruit," to mix the metaphor. As unpalatable as this view of knowledge is for most of us, it seems to dominate thinking, both historically and currently, in education. It is the Major Premise behind

• Programmed (or Mastery or Competency-Based) Learning
• Learn at your own Pace Learning/Rolling Registrations
• High-Stakes Testing
• Sage-on-the-Stage Teaching (and its electronic avatar, PowerPoint)
• Freire's Banking Concept of Education
• The Web as Repository
• WGU Model of Online Education"the Commodification of Knowledge

From it follows, as the night the day, knowledge that can be collected, boxed, and sold for a profit. Contrasted with this view is the Wave model of knowledge. This is knowledge that is changing rather than static, flexible, constructed truths rather than revealed truth.

Wave

• Changing
• May be Entered and Perturbed
• Can't be Fixed, Reified, Sold, or Definitively Tested

This view of knowledge spawns an entirely educational model:

• Interactivity (MOOs rather than Sage on the Stage)
• Multiple points of view
• The Web (rather than PowerPoint)
• The Web a medium