I’m thankful for this opportunity to learn and reflect upon pedagogy and the processes of learning and engaging with information.
Reading the excerpt from ” Pedagogy of the Oppressed ” has highlighted the value of inquiry, of authentic experience and in recognizing students as critical co-investigators in dialogue with the teacher.
The excerpt reminded me of a short essay I once read called “Success vs Excellence ” in short, to aspire to realize our own potentials and qualities, to cultivate principles and integrity, rather than to seek comparison to others, or attainment of cultural or societal acceptance.
Where my thoughts are lately in teaching is that we all to some degree are drawn to short cuts, or the path of least resistance.   I’ve seen countless students move from approach to approach, seeking to avoid what may have been the clearer path to their goal, but one which involved more work and effort.
Part of this I believe is having a clearly defined vision and intention of the broader goal.  To attain awareness of the problem is a prerequisite to solving it.
I’m contemplating what it means to “know”something  , the processes involved in setting out to know.  And I’m hoping to better communicate and engage with students,  to find ways to foster curiosity and inquiry, and to have a clearer and more defined approach to the whole process of learning.