Education is Politics - Shor (hyperlinks)
I found this video that explains critical education, which is something that Shor is supporting in the article. The video explains the many questions that surround teachers and how to teach. One of the main focuses is freedom in the classroom, which Shor advocates for in his article. In many ways this video is like a summary/review of the article, and it helped me understand it better.
The article raises a lot of issues with the "standard form" of teaching, and how it is unsuccessful in teaching students properly. In a quote from Shor's article (from Bettelheim), "you must arouse children's curiosity and make them think about school" (11). It is important to teach students (from a young age) that they can challenge their education as well as their society. Rather than regurgitating facts over and over again, teachers should allow the class to develop their own views and opinions, and to learn how to support their personal stance. Teachers should also encourage their students to challenge the world they live in. Shor offers many examples of how to teach students to challenge, and my personal favorite was, "whose history and literature is taught and whose ignored" (14). This specific example is important for me because I plan on being an English teacher, but also because it allow the students to see discrimination in their society, and they can react to it. Teaching democratically and critically is what we experience each time we set foot in Dr. Bogad's classroom. Rather than learning about all white dead males, we are learning about different cultures, but also understanding that there is a bias in society for white males. Shor would argue that you need to teach both parts. First you must integrate different materials that relate to the student's lives and secondly, you must point out the discrimination or societal preference that is dominant.
I found this website, for a group, the ESR (Educators for Social Responsibility) which, "works directly with educators to implement systemic practices that create safe, caring, and equitable schools so that all young people succeed in school and life, and help shape a safe, democratic and just world". This group is fighting alongside of Shor, both of which are advocating for an educational reform of sorts.
The following video shows the results of teaching democratically and critically. The video touches upon Shor's point that the teacher needs to personalize their curriculum for their students.
What did you find interesting about this article?
How do you feel about democratic and critical teaching methods?
Did the videos help you understand the article better?
I really liked the first video. It did help me understand the article much better. Great job!
ReplyDeleteJess, I really liked your first video from watching that I also got a much better understanding of the article. I agree with you that students should challenge their education. I talked about that in my blog post as well. If students are getting the education they think they need they should challenge that, and they should be able to take the classes they want. Tracking affects that in my opinion, and students get placed by ability, and they don't get the same education as some of their peers. Students should be able to take what they want, so they can get the education they deserve, and so they can enjoy learning and have fun while doing so. Learning shouldn't be memorizing everything and then regurgitating it on a test they will never learn this way or become critical thinkers. Overall, great post jess and great use of videos!
ReplyDeleteGreat links, Jess. Perfect way to use the hyperlinks option!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you added the first video,it really made me understand the article better. Students need more interesting ways to learn in school that will keep them on their toes.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is just excellent, Jess. Love how you used songs in your titles, too :)
ReplyDeleteThank You! :)
ReplyDelete