Shor’s article, Education is Politics, raises multiple questions and viewpoints about education through three quotes. The first quote that stood out to me was, “People are naturally curious. They are born learners. Education can either develop or stille their inclination to ask why and to learn”. This is a powerful quote because I have seen this happen in my own education experience. One teacher or one curriculum or one class can affect how someone views themselves, the world, a subject etc. If the teacher/curriculum/class is interesting or empowers a student enough, it can push them to pursue something they thought they wouldn’t before. The same can be said for the opposite circumstances. One bad experience in a class that someone was looking forward to can affect their thinking. They can question whether this path is right for them or if they really want to put themselves in a situation to get an outcome that seems to be at the end of a long, dark tunnel. I myself have questioned myself on my career path or decisions based on bad experiences. ‘Is it really worth it? Will I be happy doing this for the rest of my life?’. Questions like this can haunt you and its only positive experiences that can bring you back on track.
The second quote that stood out to me was “Student participation and positive emotions are influenced by the teacher’s commitment to both”. If a teacher is not committed to getting students involved in their own education and make it a positive experience, it can push them in the wrong direction, away from education. It can also make them view themselves in a negative light, where they think they aren’t worth it or that they simply can’t do anything because they aren’t smart enough to do it. Students need encouragement to succeed, do their best and even go above and beyond what is expected of them.
The last quote that stood out to me was, “Changing power relations in the classroom through problem-posing reduces the need for students to resist learning. More students can embrace education without fear of boredom or a cultural invasion by an elite, remote curriculum.” I love this quote because it connects back to a student’s love of learning. If you allow a student to figure out a problem on their own, using their own creative avenues, they are more encouraged to think outside the box and not conform to rules or regulations that can make everything uniform. It’s important, especially in elementary school, for a student to feel like they can express themselves and create their own individualities. Utopian societies have their ups, but the can get boring if everyone is exactly the same. So it’s a teacher’s job, and a parent’s as well, to encourage students to think outside the box and embrace new ideas never thought of before.
This website is actually dedicated to empowering education, following the ideas that Shor has come up with. http://empoweringeducation.org/.
I also used your first quote in my blog and I liked how you were able to connect to your own educational experience.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that I used your post in mine. Also I really liked how you mentioned how teachers can either encourage or discourage a child to learn. I think it's really important for teachers to realize the positive or negative impacts they can have on their students and how they need to be their to support their students.
ReplyDeleteI love your comment on how teachers can either encourage or discourage their students. I found it to be extremely accurate, especially in today's world.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to the last quote you used. I also agree with you when you stated it is both the parent and tecaher responsible for helping children think outside the box.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to the last quote you used. I also agree with you when you stated it is both the parent and tecaher responsible for helping children think outside the box.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Adam. I loved how you wrote that teachers can either encourage or discourage their student. This is so true and I have had many teacher that fit into both categories.
ReplyDeleteI liked how your blog post highly emphasized the role and importance of teachers and how it is our responsibility to engage our students.
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