I think you bring up an interesting point: in “the real world,” there are often very specific rules or guidelines that your institution provides you that is sort of an in-house recipe book. These recipe books can be different from one company to another, and thus are not absolutely perfect. If students feel empowered enough to bring up sound reasoning and research (as you suggest), then maybe they can help improve those protocols to better fit each unique situation. Great thoughts.
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I thought this was a nice representation of critical pedagogy, and a particularly creative idea to use a whiteboard. Giving everyone a space in the same visual is a great way to emphasize the benefit of everyone participating in the learning process. Thanks!
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Great analogy there with the bovine educational system, I could totally relate. It’s like the goal of going to school is to just get the grade and move on, not caring whether or not the course changed you in some way. I have heard of some teachers who give their students multiple attempts at an exam (typically different versions of the same exam) to improve their grade. I think some might initially think this is unfair if their concept of education is to properly memorize the material and get it right the first time (after all, multiple attempts means you get a sneak peak at what you have to memorize!), but it is certainly fair if your concept of education is to help the students LEARN how to THINK about the material. If the goal is to change the student, then multiple attempts on an exam is a win-win.
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Thank you for your thoughts, I really appreciate hearing your perspective. Your 1st and 4th points seem connected to me, though I am still figuring out what the connection is. 🙂 Just because an individual is a member of a certain group does not mean that he/she is automatically an expert, whether that group is a majority or minority. And I think what you suggest is right on: education. I do hope that in the future I will feel comfortable speaking up for others when I have the opportunity to do so.
Yes, it can be so difficult to speak up especially if you feel like you are the only one in the room with your perspective. I don’t really have a solution to that problem, only to say that I have felt that way before and it makes me want to do better in other scenarios of my life where I am NOT the minority opinion. In those spheres where I feel like I am able, I want to pay attention to people in the room who may not be speaking up much or who I think may have something to contribute to the conversation. It’s not always easy, but I think it is worth the effort.
You’re right, education shouldn’t be monochromatic. I think that’s why it’s important that not every teacher teaches in EXACTLY the same way. There is no one perfect way, and we all benefit from being exposed to a variety of teaching styles and voices. Forcing ourselves to teach in someone else’s style comes across as fake and disingenuous, so it’s not worth doing anyway.
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Yes, I have heard the same thing: teaching experience doesn’t matter at the university level, though (like you) I disagree with that idea. It shouldn’t be assumed that teaching will just naturally come because you’re a great researcher… teaching takes a lot of practice and a lot of preparation. It would be nice if there were adequate support for university professors wanting to learn how to teach better (and adequate recognition of those efforts).
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As has already been said: you can’t keep everyone happy, there will always be some push-back to change. And I agree, sometimes hearing about something new and exciting gets you all fired up about change, but then when it comes time for implementation… well, it may not fit right or we may be so used to the old ways that the new ways are uncomfortable. I always feel so overwhelmed by the issues of the present that it is sometimes hard to see what to change and how to do it.
Thanks for the post. I have wondered some of the same things, “who will listen to me?” etc. And yet, I think that there is something meaningful in taking the time to think about your research in terms of a wider audience and the broader impact. What am I working on that other people might care about? What is something that I have learned that others could benefit from? What topics are widely misunderstood and how could my expertise clear up some of the confusion? etc.etc.
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I accidentally didn’t leave my name here, oops! ?
