Innovation in
Teaching & Learning
What does critical thinking mean in a world with conflicting perspectives?
The education of the self is one that is in constant search for answers, but also in the search for forming an identity of our unique role in the world around us. As Socrates once said, ‘The unexamined world is not worth living’, where the greater world is there for us to observe, question and learn from. (Christou & Bullock, 2012) We may ponder on how to bring change to society, it’s not about bringing change, but how we can make a difference to ourselves, our families and to the greater community.
Being a teacher comes with great responsibilities and honour. As teachers we seek to educate for the purpose of promoting growth in each student, but also within ourselves. Just as we facilitate the journey to ‘examine the world’ with our students, so are we searching for answers and understandings of the world around us. History has taught us lessons, but what can we do to take the steps forward to better inform our practice? We are all individuals with our unique talents, but through contemplation we develop an understanding of the realities we face each day. If we see teaching only as the transmission of knowledge, and learning as the acquisition of knowledge - then yes we are doing an injustice to the profession. As Ivan Illich's states in his book, Deschooling Society, 'The pupil is thereby "schooled" to confuse teaching with learning, grade achievement with education, a diploma with competence, and fluency with the ability to say something new.' (Illich, 2009) There are so many other factors that influence teaching and learning, which influences creativity and innovation. What comes to mind is the globalisation of our world, where I feel we're still learning to live with each other. (Noddings, 2010) However if we open the doors of our classrooms to practice collaboration, a growth mindset, recognition and acceptance of our individuality and observing emotional intelligence - I would say we have the beginnings of ‘examining the world’ around us. References: Badran, I. (2007). Enhancing creativity and innovation in engineering education. European Journal of Engineering Education, 32(5), 573–585. Christou, T. M., & Bullock, S. M. (2012). The case for philosophical mindedness. Paideusis, 20(1), 14–23. Illich, Ivan (2009). Deschooling Society. London: Marion Boyars. Print. Noddings, N. (2010). Moral education in an age of globalization. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 42(4), 390–396. R. (2010, September 17). WHERE GOOD IDEAS COME FROM by Steven Johnson. Retrieved July 11, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NugRZGDbPFU Starko, A. J. (2013). Creativity in the classroom: Schools of curious delight.
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AuthorAn advocate, explorer, inquirer but most of all an educator. I stand by all my students in their pursuits to learning. Categories
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