At Brent’s Urging
Okay okay, so waiting 1 day is waiting 1 day too long. Someone wise once told me that there are two major motivators in life: love and fear. My writing today is stimulated by a fear of receiving yet another light hearted ribbing from my only blog reader. (so yes, this message is for you). So here it is.
Friday was the final day of classes at OISE, ended with an awards ceremony to celebrate exemplary teachers and education faculty and students. This leads me to wonder, what did we value in educators ten years ago and has that changed? Do we truly value change or is the Culture of Teaching monolithic when it comes to public practice? And if it is (and in many cases, I have found that it is), WHY? What are we so attached to? If teachers promote innovation in curriculum, shouldn’t we also promote innovation in our own philosophies and practices?
A faculty advisor with whom I worked commented to me that OISE’s pick of award candidates almost invariably did equity work. Was it, he asked, an indication that OISE would put more emphasis on equity within its own ranks and practices? And how do we promote equity more effectively in all our teachers?
Hi Jasmine,
Posted May 28, 2006, 9:17 amSome very weighty questions posed. I like them, don’t have a significant answer, however, I’m not sure you really need an answer. Innovation in teaching practices is an explosion that web 2.0 has set off. To be an educator, your role as expert learner becomes more the norm because you are absorbing the changes occuring in the world and community and assisting your students do the same. It’s a different landscape than the traditional teacher – learner model. There are so many excellent writers who are in conversation and writing about your questions Jasmine. David Warlik is one of the key people I read. Have a look at these 2 links: (http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/2006/05/24/curriculum-is-dead-teacher-as-tour-guide/)
http://techlearning.com/blog/main/archives/david_warlick/index.html – On this site there is a post about elementry school teachers that I think you will like. I must go now but will pass on a few more thoughts re. your questions, first chance I get.
Hi Jasmine,
Some very weighty questions posed. I like them, don’t have a significant answer, however, I’m not sure you really need an answer. Innovation in teaching practices is an explosion that web 2.0 has set off. To be an educator, your role as expert learner becomes more the norm because you are absorbing the changes occuring in the world and community and assisting your students do the same. It’s a different landscape than the traditional teacher – learner model. There are so many excellent writers who are in conversation and writing about your questions Jasmine. David Warlik is one of the key people I read. Have a look at these 2 links: (http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/2006/05/24/curriculum-is-dead-teacher-as-tour-guide/)
http://techlearning.com/blog/main/archives/david_warlick/index.html – On this site there is a post about elementry school teachers that I think you will like. I must go now but will pass on a few more thoughts re. your questions, first chance I get.
Here is Christopher Sessums latest post that I think relates to your questions.
Posted May 28, 2006, 2:03 pmhttp://elgg.net/csessums/weblog/21335.html He is a great writer and interesting educator who has much to add this conversation.