I dig your summary of what you learned. Were I to compile such a list, it would be largely the same. However, I would worry about incorporating technology just for the sake of incorporating technology. I’m not implying that that’s your intention, but sometimes a non-technological learning environment can be extremely refreshing. Who really needs to spend more time pecking away in front of a computer everyday!!
Author: Darren Jackson
Comment on Destination Unknown? by Darren Jackson
Coming from a interdisciplinary program, I have been captivated by the notion of transdisciplinarity. I, too, am excited about the forays that VT is making into this vast and unexplored territory.
Comment on Teaching for the 21st Century by Darren Jackson
I’m sure that anyone who’s work is grounded primarily in theory has experienced the feeling you so clearly describe above. I know that I have. What’s curious about your post is the final sentence. For me, it’s the real lives that actually inspire my commitment and motivation.
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Comment on Teaching for the 21st Century by Darren Jackson
I’m sure that anyone who’s work is grounded primarily in theory has experienced the feeling you so clearly describe above. I know that I have. What’s curious about your post is the final sentence. For me, it’s the real lives that actually inspire my commitment and motivation.
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Comment on 3/22 – Critical Pedagogy by Darren Jackson
Your case is not universal.
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Comment on Against the Neocons: Industrial Knowledge Production and the New Workforce by Darren Jackson
I really enjoy this succinct post, and I share your concern about losing the “democratic identity of higher education for the uni-dimensional mentality of the market.” But what I wonder, is if this already, by and large, a foregone battle as the status of the humanities continues to diminish at every level, and educational institutions kowtow to corporate interests.
Comment on Paulo Freire’s Advice by Darren Jackson
“Their way of speaking is as beautiful as our way of speaking” This is a great quote which highlights the democratic spirit that animates Freire’s philosophy of education. Another philosopher/theorist you might be interested in is Jacques Ranciere. He wrote a book entitled, “The Ignorant Schoolmaster,” where, among other things, he argues for the equality of teachers and students.
Comment on Critical Pedagogy. by Darren Jackson
Your description of inquiry-based learns sounds very similar to the Socratic method. In the Platonic dialogues, Socrates, as many people know, would lead his interlocutors to a “truth” – or, more often than not, to the realization that they don’t know the truth – by means of endless questioning. I like to use this method in my own classes as well as it engages the students and forces them to formulate their ideas.
Comment on In Students I Trust by Darren Jackson
I believe that perhaps it’s too strong to say that people do not learn by watching and listening, as these are certainly a very important part of the learning process. Think, for example, of golf lessons. A ubiquitous technique utilized by pros is filming their students swing. Why? Because watching and observing are essential in the process of learning. Of course, you will never learn how to golf without practicing your swing, but your swing will not likely improve unless it is subjected to close scrutiny.
Comment on Four things discussion is good for by Darren Jackson
When you say, “I don’t believe in experts,” I wonder what that might mean. If it means that you don’t think there are individuals that are much more qualified than others in specific fields, then I would have to disagree. Surely someone who has studied Ancient Greek all their life is an expert of sorts, especially when compared to someone who has never studied Ancient Greek. To deny this is simply deny that word, “expert,” has any meaning.
