Today I was back in University for the first time in over two weeks. The day progressed in the standard manner: 9-5 seminars on varying topics, including a lot of sharing news and experiences (us students haven't seen each other since our first fledgling attempts at teaching so there was a lot to say).
However, at the end of the day we were asked to do something unusual. We were instructed to go to a lecture, led by the theorist Etienne Wenger, who spoke about his career and research in something called "Community of Practice", a term which, according to wikipedia, "describe[s] a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession. It is in the process of sharing information and experiences in that group that the members learn from each other, and have an opportunity to develop themselves personally and professionally".
He spoke about how a student's interests and sense of identity affect their desire and ability to learn; how, as teachers, if we can present ourselves as inspirational, even aspirational figures, we will have the opportunity to share our knowledge with our pupils, because they will want to gain access to our universe of experience. Am I making sense?
So essentially, if I understood correctly, I should try to make my subject relevant to students, make it something which they can connect to their sense of identity, their image of themselves. They can enjoy reading, because I enjoy reading and am so passionate about it that they think 'Hey, I want to be a part of that'.
The idea was a little controversial. Some students felt that this theory is nothing new - of course we will try to be passionate, inspirational, relevant. Others thought it was not their job to help students "find their identity". We have enough to do: juggling targets, a curriculum, trying to get all 31 students in your Year 9 class to remember to bring their books and to sit down when asked.
The lecture got me thinking about what I am trying to do by becoming a teacher. Am I just going over to the dark side? Making children jump through hoops, forcing irrelevant literature and grammar into one ear, only for it to fall out the other side as they leave the room? Does it matter if they remember the names of the characters in Much Ado About Nothing, as long as they leave my lesson feeling confident and as if I am interested in what they've got to say, whether it be about Shakespeare or the episode of Family Guy they watched last night? Does my main responsibility lie with the subject I love, or the interests of students I'm teaching, or is it somewhere in between?
I'd be really interested to know what you think. What do you remember about teachers who inspired you? Who made a difference to you at school? What is education, anyway?
2000 words, on my desk by Monday morning. Please.
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My most inspirational teachers were definately the ones who were pasionate about their subject. Even if I was not that interested in the subject (eg maths) the teachers themselves brought so much enthsiasm and energy forward that I couldnt help but be drawn in. That said, it doesnt work for every student, but I think even the ones who may not go with it still appreciate the passion.
ReplyDeleteSame here, all of my favorit teachers have been really pasionated about their subject, but I don't think that's enough, you still need to be able to bring the subject to the students level and help them in the way they need to be helped to be able to go forward in their life... eh, if that sounds at all understandable :)
ReplyDeleteI've also had really bad teachers who were pasionated, but didn't have the ability to get through to the students (as the one I have right now btw)...
Anyway, I think I want to say that, it's possible that you'll be able to convince several students to read Shakespeare and enjoy it by being pasionated about it, but for the students that you don't manage to convince you
might need a second plan, they might need to be talking about family guy (or well, something less hard/old than Shakespear anyway) - rather than being forced to talk about Shakespeare and maybe not even try/come.
Nice to read a bit about your life again! :) I'm looking forward to the short but more regular posts!
Bisous! Xxx
Hello lovely ladies - thanks for your comments. I found them really encouraging.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try and show people how much I love my subject and why, but also do as you suggest and use my efforts and lessons to make it accessible (through a combination of eccentric examples and explanations, and exaggerated arm gestures, probably...).
Love to both of you. xx