Side note: One of my favorite musicians is Peter Gabriel, hence the homage in the title to one of his works.
Over the past 3 weeks, students in EDT211/511 have been reading literature and disseminating surveys to better understand a topic area (like integrative learning or pedagogical/technical tools for self-reflection). While this doesn't seem that radical as I type, the feeling of anxiety I have had over the past 3 weeks made me realize just how different this was than how I had taught (and been taught) in the past.
Knowing the literature and teaching the literature is very safe (and an ego boost). Students are protected from "bad" data and they get the filtered version of topics that I have churned over many years. Just like momma-robin, I get to choose the worms, taste the worms, process the worms, and regurgitate the worms for consumption. By letting go of the theory, it allows room for error...what if students find a cavern of outdated articles, what if their survey respondents and literature conflict, what if the groups assume they get it without getting it. With those perceived dangers, however, also comes room for engagement, student ownership, and pride that never could be transferred through a course-pack.
This past week, the groups each presented their topics and by the time the 2nd group had gone, all of the anxiety and the perceived threats completely diminished. The students were citing many of the same articles and books that I would have included, the main points that they gleaned were right on track, and in two weeks students had truly taken ownership over their topics and wanted to present what they had found. Sure, there were some weak spots and a few things I would have described slightly differently--nothing that could even slightly tip the scale in comparison to the very authentic learning that I witnessed.
So, why the title digging in the dirt. This past weekend my garden was tilled and I started planting my vegetable garden. I still have dirt under my fingernails and a few reminders on my arms where the thorned plants got their jabs in. Just as my garden is ready for planting season, the classes fingernails are dirty, we've done the hard work to begin the next round of tasks, the soil is rich with nutrients for syllabus development to be seeded. Some seeds will take, some may need extra nourishing, some will never take. As a class, we will figure out where our labor will deliver the greatest harvest and focus our energy to ensure the Fall is bountiful.
Well spoken. This coming from someone who will need alot of water... but will also bear an abundance of fruit. Perhaps not by June 29th, but one day.
ReplyDeleteNot that you need to be reassured, but you are on the right track. Unfortunately, too many of my classmates can not yet see the big picture. Wheter it be their age, lack of experience or are just consumed with worries about their grade, they haven't yet figured it out. Ultimately, not all of us will. But its not your methodologies. I know you said that this class will likely revert back to the old syllabus in the Fall. So i'm here to say, don't put it all back in the box.
I'm glad that you feel like we did a pretty good job going over all the theory. I'm pretty impressed that we as a group ended up going over the articles and information that you wanted us to review! I'm sure it must have been hard giving up control (I think I would have had a difficult time with that, even though I've just begun teaching), but hopefully you're happy with the results.
ReplyDeleteI really liked seeing how you used SpicyNodes to demonstrate your own process of conceptualizing some of your goals and motivations. Is there any way you could post the link on your blog or on the wiki so I could take a longer look at it, since I don't know if I'll be able to make the demo next class? I also wanted to let you know that I found the storytelling exercise that we did really powerful and interesting. It really inspired me to hear how you took your student's story and helped her to see all of the positive aspects to it. It sounds like it really made a huge difference to her just being able to see herself in another light. I hope that I will be able to do the same with my students.