by Susan NYC "The students have to change from behaving as passive recipients of the knowledge offered by the teacher to becoming active learners who can take responsibility for and manage their own learning" Working Inside the Black Box, Black et al. (2004)
This picture evokes images of teaching at the front of the class, either talking, or putting something on the bored. Often, teachers may as well just ask students to ignore the information because they are bored, may not find it relevent, and thus do not take responsibility for the learning. Maybe, teachers just have not given students the opportunity to take responsibility.
As teachers I believe that we must switch our practice from being the deliverers of information to the facilitators of knowledge. Students will be able to engage in a much higher level of learning only if we as teachers make it possible and encourage students to become more responsible.
Far too often students become passive learners, and are disengaged with classroom activities, but can we blame them? Do we allow students to have enough responsibility? Enough power? Are teachers afraid to engage in this shift?
You hit the nail on the head here, Matt!
ReplyDeleteWe have to get away from seeing ourselves as the only ones in the room that can grant access to key information and ideas.
I guess the question becomes 'How do we become facilitators of knowledge?'
I find this especially prevalent in my grade 11 history classes. For so long students have been expected to read the text, answer the questions and give answers that provide facts. I find it difficult to try and make the shift because students are apathetic in their learning. I don't want to stand up at the front of class giving a list of people, places and dates that need to be remembered! I want students to take the initiative with their learning so I need to step back and let them.
ReplyDeleteI will answer the last question with a yes, it is a bit scary to give more control to students especially if it is a foreign idea. All the what if's can scare you away. But if we set high standards and work with our students what is the worst that can happen? We might even be surprised.
ReplyDeleteJared Boville