Sunday, July 11, 2010
the Shy guy and too much Dewey
I had a near nightmare about "The Shy Guy" or whatever it was called. It just jumped into my head and the image of Dick York playing a teenager was horrifying. But even more so is I guess I saw the downside of the Dewey schema. I believe it is important that schools be aware of themselves as society within society. Schools have a social role and probably that is one of their most important functions. But as the Shy Guy shows that good intention can lead us into strange places. I found that clip to be manipulative. Fortunately it was concerning an innocuous subject but the potential for imposing social views on a vulnerable age group is huge. This should send chills down the backs of potential teachers. We will wield a tremendous influence on our "unsuspecting" charges. It is a frightening amount of power to influence the young and the amount of supervision and accountability could be minimal depending on where we are working. That means we have to monitor ourselves. For those of us in the physical sciences there will be little temptation I suppose. We can just stick to the science. But these days everything is political or commercial. The science of climate change, for example, is a mine field of political interference and capitalistic monkey business. This is all to say that while the philosophical choice to see education in its social context is fitting and helps us to discover meaning within a social context it cannot be taken too far. It must be held accountable by the part of society not in the school every day -- parents come to mind. They are after all the first educators of their children. If we are not careful we can become paternalistic or manipulative or tyrants. We have to be in the habit of recalling that we are educating children. We owe them the diligence of not imposing our beliefs, prejudices or even too many brilliant ideas on them. We help them discover and try to stay out of their way as much as possible while at the same time helping them find their way within our society. I know this is a tight rope walk. We are who we are. We live and breath our beliefs and convictions and anyone with an ounce of insight can figure what we think after they have been with us for a while. In addition, we will not always make the right choices because we often don't know how much is too far or how 'out there' our own ideas really are. But the Shy Guy shows us how too much Dewey (or too much misunderstood Dewey) can be really creepy (and cheesy too).
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Ah yes, Shy Guy. Creepy and cheesy, all in one go!
ReplyDeleteI think it's useful to think about our power as authority figures in the classroom, but when I think back to school my fellow students were as influential (more, maybe?) as the teachers in shaping how I thought about things.
I know the political topics are less comfortable, but it seems like helping our students realize that science is (a) relevant and (b) evolving and dynamic are both useful ways to employ controversial topics like climate change without taking a political stand.
I found the Shy Guy on youtube last weekend and watched it, as well as many other videos from the same time period and genre on topics such as correct personal grooming, proper dinner time conversation, and what to do with a girl on a date. Besides the cheesy dialogue and stiff acting, I found myself wondering whether any kids, at the time, actually had their behavior or cognition changed as a result of watching these movies. My bias is that kids turn off to any message that comes across as too "preachy", but what does the research say?
ReplyDeleteThis takes me to George's caution regarding the impressionable role we will have as teachers. I see at is an awesome responsibility and privilege to be granted a part in the education of a parent's child. I approach it from a somewhat idealistic place. So, I think it's important that we stick to research-based, proven principles to guard against the manipulative tendencies that George cautions against. Not that we shouldn't promote innovation in our teaching, but it needs to be considered against the cautions mentioned.
George, I completely understand where you're coming from regarding the power that teachers hold over students. It's kind of a terrifying thought to have that much influence over someone, but I think the most important thing is actually not to worry to much about it. Like you said: focus on the topics related to the field and try not to worry too much about your ideas seeping into what you teach. Again, as you said, it's going to happen someone times, and it's always been my experience that the more we worry about allowing something to happen, the more easily we slip up and actually allow it.
ReplyDeleteI think you give yourself too much credit, George. I think middleschoolers ar much more malleable, but when it gets into the higher grades of high school, a teacher is just a teacher. One out of six. Life has developed beyond school. Friends have become the bigger influence...
ReplyDeletePowerful thinking here, George. Teachers - especially those of younger students - do wield an enormous influence. I spent a few summers in Lithuania and was quietly reminded to be careful about saying anything anti-Communist. Many teachers had actually "come down a peg" in society since Communism's overthrow, as they had been treated very well in exchange for blending instruction and political dogma. And, kids being kids, they often pick up on your overtones and undertones, not just what comes out of your mouth. You mention a tight rope, and there are going to be days in your teaching career when you'll feel yourself wobble (Cafe Conversations moment, anyone?). For me, what sustains me as an educator is the knowledge that I'm continually working toward being a little bit better than I was last week ... last term ... last year. I can't wait to hear what being in practice is like for you. Seeing it through your eyes is going to be a real treat.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point George and sometimes I think a lot of teaching is not about what is prepared or instructed but comes naturally through interactions with the students. We shouldn't need to explicitly teach morality or ethics, but should come out in the way we live and interact daily. I hope that we become those kind of teachers that dont need to try so hard to connect with the kids, but allow our actions to speak louder.
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