Author: Mary Norris

Comment on Affect’s Effect on Inclusive Pedagogy by Mary Norris

Posted on by Mary Norris

Great post, Elizabeth. I so agree with your recognition of how our own and our student’s experiences affect what we create and experience in the classroom and that we must be mindful of these in order to effect change. One assignment I required of all of my high school students was that they compose some sort of autobiography for me. It could be factual or fictional and could be in any format they chose–written, electronic presentation, song, movie, sculpture (no one ever created this for the assignment, but it would have been cool!), etc. It was an idea I stole from a geology professor I had in my undergrad program. I loved finding out things about my students that I would never have known otherwise.

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Comment on Inclusive Pedagogy (#gedivt w8) by Mary Norris

Posted on by Mary Norris

I like your idea of finding a teacher to learn about different cultures. I think that the choice of whom to open yourself to as a learner is one of the most important choices in this process. Because “diversity” implies socially constructed groups, it deals with both hidden and explicit power differentials. The skill of listening to and learning from people who are more or less valued by society than you are, without presuming to know their experiences already, is something that I think we, as educators, need to constantly work on in ourselves as well as to facilitate for our students.

Comment on A deserved pain? by Mary Norris

Posted on by Mary Norris

It is interesting that, in the US, education is supposed to be the great equalizer. However, our schools are highly segregated (see http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/05/17/gao-study-segregation-worsening-us-schools/84508438/) by income because many are primarily funded through property taxes. (See this story from NPR http://www.npr.org/2016/04/18/474256366/why-americas-schools-have-a-money-problem.)
Therefore those who can afford to live in more expensive areas have better funded schools which simply perpetuates the class system. It is not to say that there is no class mobility in the US, but there is much less than one would hope.

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Comment on So they can grab the hands of a thousand more… by Mary Norris

Posted on by Mary Norris

Wow, Qualla! I don’t think that your vision is utopian. I think that is inspiring and wise. You are brave enough to open your heart and soul to your students and trust that they will treat them with care or that the risk is one that you must take to preserve yourself. I hope that you find some like-minded colleagues, but that you also work with many more traditional educators. In the same way that your students will reach their hands out to pull up others, you will reach your hands out to your engineering colleagues and help them have the courage to open themselves as well.

Comment on My Teaching Voice by Mary Norris

Posted on by Mary Norris

I like how you decided to take your personal characteristics to craft your teaching voice. Trying to imitate someone else is not like you rarely works in teaching. By knowing yourself so well, you have a step up for when you start teaching. It sounds like you will be set!

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Comment on From Cooking to Becoming a Chef by Mary Norris

Posted on by Mary Norris

This is one of the richest analogies for teaching that I have ever seen. I like that we can all start with the same ingredients–standards, materials, activities–but what we create from them as teachers is limitless. Also, once we serve them to our students, they will all experience the dishes (Lessons) differently. Such room for creativity and growth. Thank you!

Comment on Three years later: Teaching with a voice by Mary Norris

Posted on by Mary Norris

From what you described in class, your course sounds like it is challenging and rewarding for your students. I think that must have much to do with your confidence as an instructor. You know what you are teaching which makes it okay to make mistakes and to put yourself in the background. I am sure that your students enjoy your course and their chance to discover the science for themselves.

Comment on The 3 Barriers in Worldwide Education by Mary Norris

Posted on by Mary Norris

I agree with you that these three barriers to active, digital learning have to be broken down in order for it to succeed. I think that it is also important to remember that even this new and innovative form of learning may not be the best form for all teachers, learners, or topics. Once the barriers are overcome, teachers should see innovative digital lessons as one more option for engaging their students. There are many ways to be a great teacher and many ways to acquire knowledge and skills. Flexibility and availability are the keys.