s draw evidence from scholarly work, but also from their service learning experiences; furthermor
This, in my opinion, is crucial to creating well-rounded learners who have both a conceptual and practical understanding of terms, systems, policies, and their connection to the world around them
nly by truly listening to others can I see how I am constrained and how I can become aware of the conceptual shackles imposed by my own identity and experiences.
This highlights the importance of collective work as a community. By engaging with one another, sharing resources, sharing readings/articles, we create this network, in which, we can grow and challenge our own ideas, biases, and beliefs.
eacher starts from where the students are. W
I like this idea presented here because from my own experience, I've felt like other students and I have been pushed to catch up to what my teachers were teaching. Sometimes I'd be moving on to another unit before understanding the last simply because I had to. I'm not suggesting that teachers completely change the structure or order of their curricula I just think it would be beneficial for many students if teachers created a pace that worked with where the students fell in line with the material being taught, which I believe has to be observed by teachers first.
ince positionality is the multiple, unique experiences that situate each of us in relation to each other, no one student's perspective is privileged. Rather, all are privileged, and therefore all are empowered to speak: students from minor? ity and majority cultures can help teach each other in an atmosphere of mutual respect. When each student confronts his or her empowerment or disempower ment, privilege or lack thereof, no implicit or explicit judgment is leveled against them. No one student comes to embody the despised oppressor and no one student comes to embody the embattled oppressed. Rather, we encourage a scholarly contemplation and personal appreciation of all perspectives in a less politically loaded, less judgmental context. It is increasingly likely that students who would otherwise be marginalized will be heard, and less likely that they will be heard defensively. In my experience, if anger ensues, it is not likely to be directed at others in the class; rather, anger is channeled toward the forces of society that lead to oppression ? and hence that anger is more likely to result in deeper un? derstanding, and, I hope, informed action in the world.
I see the relationship between our different experiences here and it's beautiful to understand it in the way it is written. I think peer groups, educators, communities everywhere, and the like should adopt this perspective of positionality and what it means for society.
I think it makes room for tough conversations amongst students while forming a safe space. If I were working towards being a maladjusted educator I would draw some of my methods from here to encourage amongst my students. This section made me think about Martin Luther King Jr.'s mention of having no intentions of adjusting to segregation and discrimination. In one's efforts to maladjust to these factors I think they would be justified in doing so while I also can also see where it could stir up anger as they express themselves. Which brings me to conclude that in our efforts to be maladjusted educators, we must know in our disagreement with whatever we're maladjusting to, where that comes from and how to communicate that effectively without offending others or forming a defense wall when we may not have to. It's not the people we should be angry toward necessarily, rather, toward "the forces of society that lead to oppression - ".
So, in my view, justice is not what is "right," as that is an impossible term, but rather justice is the result of a compromise between all involved parties.
Question: Do you agree with this quote?
I'm wondering how injustice plays a part in "the result of the compromise between all involved parties". How do we apply the same criteria for what injustice is according to what Mike Bogan is saying here?
sp at objectivity only by examining as many subjective perspectives as possible, and we come to know the world more fully by knowing how we know the world
I love this quote. The fact that we come to know the world based on how we know it. This is why diversity is so special. All of us aren't exposed to every little detail that exist about/in our world. However, because we come to know the world through different walks of life, being exposed to different things, and acquiring knowledge in various ways, we are able to share that with one another.
I think this also can help us understand why we must be patient with one another as we understand that we all come to know the world differently. I don't believe it is fair to expect people to have knowledge of certain things just because that "thing" exists. Do I think we should work towards being educated about multiple ideologies? Yes. But I also understand that everyone isn't privileged to that which is where patience and grace comes in as we connect with one another.
espect, we move to celebration, as we come to cherish how diverse perspectives enable us to experience the world more richly a
This an "aha" moment for me. I feel like I've just come across a tool that I'll be able to use throughout life as I ask myself, "what are you celebrating and who are you celebrating?". I haven't looked at it like this before but I believe it is true, tolerating difference isn't adequate . It doesn't allow us to truly embrace diversity. I not only want to respect difference but I want to cherish it because I believe after reading this, that I'm not truly celebrating as much as I could if I don't do so - celebrating change, reform, improvement of various injustice, etc. This is also an "aha" moment for me because I often wonder why I feel full about something that makes me proud as it relates to matters &/or people around me yet something still feels missing. The missing piece I often experience is the disconnect between others and I. So I simply know now, that I desire to increase my approach in how I respect difference, I'll have a more rich experience of the world when I do so .
When we ask students to learn to think for themselves and to understand themselves as thinkers ? rather than telling them what to think and have them recite it back ? we help foster habits of introspection, analysis, and open, joyous communication.
Based on our readings about maladjusted educators, I think this quote here speaks to challenges some educators face but that many should also work towards. There were teachers brought up in the Kohl article that didn't see at first, how they would make time for discussion and creative learning in their classes but later when they did, the results they saw throughout their classes proved that it was necessary and most beneficial to their students.
Question: What are some reasons you think educators have adjusted to telling students what to think just so they could recite it back? Do you think this method of teaching is effective?
y respecting the unique life experiences that each student brings into the classroom ? by asserting that the broadest possible set of experiences is cru? cial to helping each of us understand the topic at hand as completely as possible ? we empower all students as knowledge makers. We
I see this as the ideal framework for the environment that should be created for all students everywhere. I don't think inclusive and fair community is accomplished without being open, welcoming, and encouraging to all.
e must understand how we are positioned in relation to others ? as dominant/subordinate, marginal/center, empowered/powerless. In Th
I agree with this point here. Our "position in relation to others" I believe allows us to see where we do and don't fall in line. From my own experience, this has allowed me to be humbled, sympathize with others, and grow a desire to speak for those who's voices often aren't heard. Above this however, I think it is extremely important to understand our position as it relates to others because it helps us approach situations and people most appropriately.
What do you guys think we risk when we aren't aware &/or don't respond to where we are positioned in relation to others?