I’m going to make a few comments about the samba school model and then try to come up with educational examples that may fit with the model.
The samba schools:
- Are voluntary. It appears that people choose which (if any) of the various samba schools they want to be a part of. This would appear to enhance intrinsic motivation.
- Allow for significant choice. There are lots of tasks associated with preparing for the carnival… and it appears the members can choose which activities to be a part of. Also an intrinsic motivator.
- Don’t allow for infinite individual choice. The schools as a whole appear to set their goal, and then work together. I assume an individual can’t change the direction of the whole group. This fosters a sense of community and teamwork.
- Provide for intergenerational interaction / teaching / learning. This wouldn’t always be just the adults telling the students how to do something. I suspect the more mature sometimes rely on the younger to come up with and develop new ideas.
- Provide for collaboration between novices and experts.
- Provide authentic tasks / learning experiences (making costumes, choreography, learning to dance, …) within a real-world context (preparing to perform in the next carnival).
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