I'm not totally sold on fear being the sole motivator behind our disconnectedness exemplified by techer-learner experiences or the "system" at hand in mainstream formal education. It seems that other things have taken precedence over teaching, with the education of teachers & students undermined.
I gravitated more towards the critique of objectivism and the normalized worldview of fragmentation that gets interfaced with by learners, teachers, administrations, culture of schools. I couldn't wrap my mind around this in my own schooling experience and in many ways felt alienated with the idea of having to continue through higher ed. The fallacy of an objective p.o.v., is that we are always operating from a place rooted in our way of understanding reality/the world. Those ways of knowing are what they are for better or for worse -reflection and challenging -is a path towards critical thinking.
The passage on the principal being afraid -in solidarity? -with the shop teacher brought me good-hearted laughter. Yes, the culture around how work gets done, how learning & teaching is interpreted, and the relationship of otherness are crossroads to awaken to.
I felt strongly about fear in the classroom as a major problem with education. But I also think that it links well with objectivism. I think fear is a major problem for student and teacher. It holds us all back from reaching out potential in one way or another. If we are scared to challenge ourselves or one another, there is really no way of increasing our ways of being objective or critical thinkers.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point about operating from the place we are rooted, but maybe fear plays into that as well. I'm sure Tanya felt fear coming to school in Indiana. Then again Tanya is so tough I'm sure she's not afraid of anything...except salamanders
ReplyDeleteI agree. I tihnk that everything should not be taken in stone. Sometimes we think this is the best idea ever, but then a new best idea ever comes along. We are in an age of fear yes, but there must be something more.
ReplyDeleteyou had a good hearty laugh did ya? well laughter is always the best medicine I say
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