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Toward Democracy

Published on Nov 18, 2015

As an extension to my reflection on good teaching, I have provided a Haiku Deck to highlight some key ideas from a TEDx Talk titled The Art (& Science) of Great Teaching by educator Sam Chaltain. Sam’s talk digs more deeply into the identity of teachers today by pushing at the definition of freedom as it pertains to the American classroom. He reasons how our nation’s dual allegiance to capitalism and democracy, and the centering of capitalism in our education system, creates discomfort and discord when defining good teaching in today’s society, while making some suggestions for mapping future change.

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Toward Democracy

Centering the Pendulum of Teaching & Learning

The Art (& Science) of Great Teaching:
Sam Chaltain at TEDxYouth@BFS

http://youtu.be/ypBJYtW8oVo

American Freedom

  • Our dual allegiance
  • Capitalism: freedom of choice
  • Democracy: freedom of conscience

Today's education system centers capitalism's notion of freedom.

Teacher Freedom

  • Teacher: Accountability
  • Back in the day:  An Art Form
  • Today: Structure and Science

Student Freedom

  • Student: Differentiation
  • Back in the day: I adjust to school.
  • Today: School  adjusts to "me".

Challenge: Neither Pole

  • Student and Teacher at extremes
  • How do we get the pendulums centered?

How do we assure student freedom
isn't more choice in the capitalistic context?
"I do what I want."

How do we assure students are equipped with the deep understanding of their own unique conscience?
(ala Dewey)

"The purpose of public education is helping people understand what it means to be free."
-Dewey

False Dichotomy

Freedom v. Structure Art v. Science

Scientific Method

  • Ask Questions
  • Conduct Research
  • Construct a Hypothesis
  • Gather Information
  • Analyze Data

Adjust Our Response

As a result of the process

Data is: something given

Can we restore it's original meaning?

Balance:
Teaching & Learning
What it means to be free
Art & Science

Teaching & Learning:
Requires a different way of seeing

Life is best organized by principles of ecology not hierarchy.

Change is best understood by principles of relationship not force.

Freedom, for both teacher & student, is best unleashed through simple, shared structures, not unbounded prairies.

The Art & Science: Roadmap
*Individual Freedom and Group Structure