I thoroughly enjoyed this class this semester. Not only did I learn about navigating broken school models, how economic and social class matter, and what a classroom should look like, but I also laughed a lot. We had great in-depth discussions, and I really learned by listening to others' opinions and perspectives. It was a great feeling to speak freely without judgment. Even when we disagreed, we always respected each other's views. The three readings that really stood out to me and that will stick with me are The Broken Model, What to Look for in a Classroom, and Literacy with an Attitude.
The Broken Model, really opened my eyes to the fact that standardized testing was never actually meant to measure a student's true potential or creativity. Khan argues that “creativity in general tends to be egregiously underappreciated and often selected against in our schools,” and when you pair that with Finn’s Literacy with an Attitude, it all starts to make sense. Finn describes how working-class students receive what he calls “domesticating education,” the kind that makes a person “productive and dependable, but not troublesome.” When I think about teachers in lower-income schools who are pressured to teach to a test, I can't help but wonder if they even realize they are feeding into the exact cycle Finn describes, where the students who need empowering education the most are the ones least likely to receive it.
I hope that I can break this mold. I do not want to teach to a test. I strongly believe that tests only offer a small snapshot of a student's knowledge. I want to empower my students to think beyond the lines and challenge them to be more creative and share their thoughts, much like we do in this classroom. I hope to include more hands-on activities and class discussions to help them develop a deeper understanding of the content we are learning.
Alfie Kohn showed me what my classroom should look like to make this all possible. In What to Look for in a Classroom, he emphasizes student engagement, collaboration, and authentic learning. I do not want the “Broken Model” where desks are in straight lines and I am at the front of the classroom lecturing. Instead, I want my students to be in groups where they can have their own discussions and learn from each other. I want to foster autonomy so they know where to find information without always having to ask. I want to empower my students to be creative, engaged, and active participants in their learning.
This class has taught me a lot about compassion, how outside factors can affect a student's learning and well-being, how to be more open-minded, what to look for when my students are balancing obstacles, and really, how to be a better teacher.
Hi Tanya, great read! This is such a thoughtful reflection. I love how you connected Khan’s ideas on creativity with Finn’s concept of "domesticating education." It’s a sobering thought that the students who need empowering education the most are often the ones least likely to receive it because of the pressure to teach to the test. Your commitment to breaking that mold and fostering autonomy through group work and collaboration is exactly what Alfie Kohn’s vision is all about.
ReplyDeleteHi Tanya, I enjoyed your post! I also talked about Finn’s Literacy with an Attitude in my reflection. The system being rigged is something you always hear, but when he breaks down the difference in education by economic status, it's upsetting how obvious the intention is.
ReplyDeleteThis is a truly insightful reflection; one can sense how much this course has transformed your perspective on teaching and equity. I particularly appreciate how you connected the failing model to literacy, questioning not only the systems themselves, but also the role of teachers within them. This kind of self-awareness is invaluable.
ReplyDeleteHi Tanya! I loved reading your blog post! I totally agree with you that I'd like to break the mold and not teach to test. I too want to incorporate more creative activities and projects that will push students to be their best and allow them to create something they are proud of. I believe hands-on work is way more valuable than testing students.
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