Barriers, blind spots and blind sights- I know that I made a conscious decision to work within mainstream education. I looked into alternative educational training but felt that as it was not accessible to all I did not want to work just within that realm. I will never forget my university interview when I could not give an example of a favourite teacher with qualities and my whoops moment after a monolgue of what was wrong within my schooling in terms of racism, sexism, and so forth. (Thankfully the two professors laughed as it was the first interview they had conducted in twenty years with someone having had such a negative experience that I was offered a place) I wanted to make a difference, to create a picture with those inner city children where they could see another world, another possibility. I know that in making that decision to work within a heirarchy I have bumped into barriers, blind spots and blind sights. When the discussion has come up about the way schooling is done I have suggested to students to become politicians who can change policy. I agree we as teachers can influence from within too.
Advice From a Tree
Dear Friend
Stand tall and proud
Sink your roots deeply into the earth
Reflect the light of your true nature
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The energy and birth of spring
The growth and contentment of summer
The wisdom to let go the leaves in the fall
The rest and quiet renewal of winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!
Written by Ilan Shamir
As I look towards my inquiry project and possible barriers I ponder the scenario of a smile, nod and thank you afterwards. I know in my life when I made a mind shift to small is beautiful and that change by example is great way for others to see in real life. Walk your talk. I want to move forward with ICT in a meaningful way in my practice and am so excited to have my class web page ready for September for it to grow and evolve with the class. I want to offer real suggestions in this project that are reachable within my school and work with Pro D in the district too. One step at a time. Now is this learning group and this presentation.
We can change our systems of organization, and our systems of education. In fact, they are changing around us as we speak. The questions we need to ponder and deliberate is what kind of society do we want to take shape? Our education system is going to speak to that vision. We have had an educational system that has been based on a philosophy of individualism, of human transcendence, based on colonial roots. Our uses of digital technologies in education are not going to change these philosophical foundations, but they are going to inform what it is possible for us to consider. When systems of human organization change, there is uncertainty and territorializing (Deleuze and Guattari, A Thousand Plateaous) can emerge as individuals seek to protect their position or their range of influence. We can change our circumstances and we do this by talking to each other. We discuss our situations, identify issues, formulate a response, implement a plan, and debrief about our experiences. Through these processes, enabled, enriched and enhanced by our uses of digital technologies, we change.
Hi Petra,
Your passion and enthusiasm shine from the screen! I think it’s so exciting that you have made such a monumental (you say small) mind shift. I love your “one step at a time” – I get so overwhelmed by all the amazing possibilities of tech in my classroom that I become paralyzed, scared and almost give up. My aha moment in this course was to stop GATHERING and start DOING… even one small new tech thing in my classroom practice.
I loved your story about your entrance interview for teacher’s college. I had some truly terrible teachers (Mrs. King, Grade 9 math led to a life long fear of math and hatred of it… until I started teaching it).
And, as you said you wanted to do, you are making a difference — for your students, with your plans for your district, and with this class.
Best of luck (not that it’s luck you need!) with your plans going forward… a small step at a time!