WEEK+1+Understanding+Education

WEEK 1: UNDERSTANDING EDUCATION
EDU4PIA, our first unit, lecture and point of contact for this course and the school year. No dilly dallies, Greg Powell dives straight into the lecture and we begin. Greg has a commanding presence; appropriate when discussing effective teaching methods and what makes for a good teacher. Despite being a pre-service course, I was surprised to be regarded as an ‘early stage’ teacher, being informed almost on the level as a colleague rather than simply a student. Subject matter was not only delivered, we also received hearty advice and personal experience from our teaching staff.

Discussing creativity and passion in teaching instantly engaged my attention. These points were further highlighted in a clip show to us featuring Sir Ken Robinson, someone prior to this lecture I was not familiar with. A teacher, a man, a Professor, an academic, a husband, and a father; this was not purely just a scholar, but an individual with rich character and world experiences. His address was filled with great humour, invaluable reflections and proposals.

‘If you’re not prepared to be wrong you will never come up with anything original’ (Robinson). We avoid being wrong, we fear putting ourselves in a vulnerable position subject to criticism. We strive to have the right answer, to be correct the first time, to ‘get it.’ However despite striving for perfection, we should consider what Sir Robinson was suggesting. We often need to make mistakes before we truly learn. The more challenging can make for a more rewarding experience. If you slip up on the way will it be more meaningful? Taking risks is daunting and unpredictable, but then I guess if they weren’t, they would not be called ‘risks’.

Touching upon the reading ‘From an old world-view to a new’ (Beare 2001), the perspective of a five year old girl leading the discussion for a changing world was fitting and thought provoking. How do we, as future teachers prepare our students for a changing world? Highlighting many of the future trends facing our world, it made me consider educational content as something that is both dependant on global movement, as well as something which can initiate change among society. Environmental responsibility, further developments in technology, and trends in unemployment, social diversity and cultural values: these are just some of the issues I will need to incorporate and consider. The young girl finishes by poising this question: ‘Do you know what to teach me? Do you know what I need to learn? Do you know how to teach me?’ (Beare 2001 p17) Yes, this is something to think about. -MEGAN (15/3/2009)

Yes I agree Megan, Creativity is a priority in the classroom. When developing lesson plans and brainstorming methods to cater for individual learning abilities, the engaging quality mustn’t be overlooked. It is mindful to look beyond the long held belief that Creativity is confined to art and music classes. Rather, subjects like maths and science need to go beyond the somewhat archaic and monotonous method of teaching. This notion is supported in Julie White’s article ‘Arias of learning: creativity and performativity in Australian teacher education’. White mentions the need for ‘exploration of ideas and learning through the creation of performance rather than learning about ideas through discussion and reading only’. The article, which reports on a study of teacher-creativity, discusses the importance of ‘risk-taking and daring’. I think these qualities sum up Robinson’s viewpoint perfectly. As teachers we need to take chances and be open-minded to exploring and applying new ways and ideas. -SARAH 15/3/2009

Yes I agree Megan and Sarah, the development of school curriculum has changed drastically from the old to new world. When it comes time for us to prepare as teachers there are many factors we need to incorporate and consider in our classroom. As stated in ‘From an old-world-view to a new’ (Beare 2001), what expected in the curriculum has transformed greatly from the past when schooling was provided for basic skills ie maths, reading, writing. Today what is expected from teachers and curriculum is that we are able to transfer knowledge and skill to children to help prepare them for the ever changing, multicultural, technology driven future. Beare (2001) also continues to explore how crucial the education process is for the development of a person that currently parents are willing to go to great lengths including financially, geographically and personally to send their children to teachers who are creative, inspiring, and able to transform the learner. To ensure we meet the expectations and demands of education today, as educators we need to take risks, be creative and ensure we incorporate the demands and changes of the new world, into our classroom to introduce this to our children. - BELINDA 16/3/2009

I completely agree with you all as the curriculum has changed drastically from the old to new world and the more challenging can make for a more rewarding experience. But one thing that will never change is ‘what all children have in common is that they will take a chance. They're not frightened of being wrong. I don't mean to say that being wrong is the same thing as being creative. But if you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original. By the time they get to be adults, most kids have lost that capacity. They have become frightened of being wrong.’ (Robinson) As Educators we need to carry this on into our adulthood and school curriculum allowing our students and encouraging them to take risks, to be creative and to learn from our mistakes. These are adamant skills to ensure a more successful future. - KRYSSIA (16/3/2009)