The idea of “it’s all invented” makes me think about how school is done today and why it isn’t working. If you assume that the way you teach is the right way and it works because that’s how it has always been done, you could be making a wrong assumption. That is how most teachers today operate. They teach the way they were taught and don’t look at whether these assumptions are correct or incorrect. I like what the book then says after you start questioning your assumptions:
What might I now invent,
That I haven’t yet invented,
That would give me other choices?
An example of this is made by math teachers where they state that students in the past were able to memorize their basic facts such as times tables, why can’t students today. Studies from the 50’s -70’s show that that statement is incorrect. Around 30% of the students back then didn’t learn them either.
We talk a good line about best practices, but never really look carefully at what they are because of our assumptions. We need to ask ourselves:
What assumption am I making,
That I’m not aware I’m making,
That gives me what I see?
Only from here can we improve on our teaching and what really works.
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5 comments:
Mark I couldn't agree more with your sentiments on what is preventing school today from working. However, the more I interact with my Full Sail classmates and read about what is going on in schools around the nation, I feel like there is a swell of teachers who do want to examine the assumptions they have been practicing under and improve on their teaching. Unfortunately, there are many teachers who are not willing to grow and evolve as educators over the course of their teaching career. These teachers make a bad name for all teachers. If teachers want to be respected, they have to continue to hone their craft, learn new techniques, and demonstrate that they are dedicated to providing the best education possible. Similar to how the medical community continually looks for more effective ways to treat their patients, the education world needs to be open to more effective ways to teach our students.
That's such a true statement that teachers tend to mimic how they were taught whether the method really worked or not. It's so difficult to go from being the novice to the veteran educator if one doesn't go through the stages of mimicking the practices (good and bad) of the current veterans.
Mark I completely agree with what you said about teachers being in a rut and not realizing that their way of teaching might not be working. It all ties into that rush of power we get as educators, standing up there in front of our students who are supposed to look up at us adoringly because we hold the knowledge of the universe in our fingertips. Which is all complete junk! The best thing that can be done for the education system in this country is to let teachers see each others classrooms and how different teaching styles affect students. Since it is hard for us to create a style all on our own, and we can't all have been blessed with amazing veteran teachers during our training, chances are there are a lot of teachers out there who were just taught with mediocre skill and have never seen what else there can be in the education field. Every time I talk with another teacher I get ideas that I can use in my classroom, so I'm constantly changing the way I do things, but even with my mind open, I still fall back on old habits when I'm stressed out and just need to get through the day. So the more I can learn about ways to be an effective teacher, the bigger my bag of tricks can become and the more I will engage my students
Mark I agree with you to a point. I am probably one of the most off the wall, crazy teachers you can get. It's my personality but also it is my anti-establishment mentality that I want to shake up the system. The problem I find is that I know I am very knowledgeable in History, and I turn each class into my own stand up act where I make the kids interact but I don't think I'm a great teacher.
I get the students to interact and contribute, but when I give out the test, many still fail. I think that a class that is too interactive is also hindering education. I think there needs to be a fine line between old school, and new school.
I find that i try and be forward thinking, but sometimes, the classical approach would work better.
@Mark Benn
Hi Mark,
I agree that “pedagogy” and best practices for most teachers is what they’ve always done. The same can be said for administrators, district management and school boards. There is such an unfortunate concern over test scores, law suits and student behavior and little emphasis on real learning. Inventing is not something many teachers are interested in doing and definitely not encouraged by administration. Instead, teachers are told what works and expected to do it - whatever the latest fad pedagogical technique pushed out from the district office of curriculum. I wonder what it will take for district and state and federal administrations to set aside their measurements so they can think freely again. Your point is right on!
Bill Wallace
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