CSP4801
ASSIGNMENT 5 (SEMESTER)
DUE DATE: 7 October 2024
Written Assignment Submission Guidelines:
Please ensure that your assignment is submitted electronically through the myUnisa platform no
later than …October 2024. Kindly note that fax or email submissions will not be accepted.
NB: Assignment submitted to the lecturer(s) through email will not be considered.
Critical Analysis of Sugata Mitra's Self-Organised Learning Environments (SOLEs)
INTRODUCTION
In recent years, the traditional models of education have been increasingly challenged by innovative
approaches that emphasize learner autonomy and the integration of technology. One such
approach is Sugata Mitra's concept of Self-Organised Learning Environments (SOLEs). This
educational model shifts the focus from teacher-led instruction to a more student-centered
approach, where learners work collaboratively to explore and solve complex questions using
internet-enabled devices. This essay critically analyzes the teaching, learning, and curriculum
aspects of SOLEs, examining both their strengths and weaknesses, and offering recommendations
for adapting this model to suit specific educational contexts.
Summary of SOLE Activities
At the heart of SOLEs lies the idea that students, when given the right tools and a stimulating
question, can take charge of their own learning. In a typical SOLE session, students are grouped into
small teams and provided with a complex question, such as "Why do we slip on wet surfaces?" or
"Do trees breathe?" Using internet-enabled laptops, the groups collaborate to research and find
ASSIGNMENT 5 (SEMESTER)
DUE DATE: 7 October 2024
Written Assignment Submission Guidelines:
Please ensure that your assignment is submitted electronically through the myUnisa platform no
later than …October 2024. Kindly note that fax or email submissions will not be accepted.
NB: Assignment submitted to the lecturer(s) through email will not be considered.
Critical Analysis of Sugata Mitra's Self-Organised Learning Environments (SOLEs)
INTRODUCTION
In recent years, the traditional models of education have been increasingly challenged by innovative
approaches that emphasize learner autonomy and the integration of technology. One such
approach is Sugata Mitra's concept of Self-Organised Learning Environments (SOLEs). This
educational model shifts the focus from teacher-led instruction to a more student-centered
approach, where learners work collaboratively to explore and solve complex questions using
internet-enabled devices. This essay critically analyzes the teaching, learning, and curriculum
aspects of SOLEs, examining both their strengths and weaknesses, and offering recommendations
for adapting this model to suit specific educational contexts.
Summary of SOLE Activities
At the heart of SOLEs lies the idea that students, when given the right tools and a stimulating
question, can take charge of their own learning. In a typical SOLE session, students are grouped into
small teams and provided with a complex question, such as "Why do we slip on wet surfaces?" or
"Do trees breathe?" Using internet-enabled laptops, the groups collaborate to research and find