Week 10: Taking students seriously disrupts our comfort and threatens our sense of authority

 We know from research that students can have more robust learning experiences when what happens in school is relevant to their lives, helps them connect to a larger purpose, and is grounded in a sense of belonging (Mcleod, 2020). Unfortunately this week there was not a new post. However, this was a very powerful statement, and one I thought was worth revisiting. 

This harkens back to culturally responsive teaching. I know for my class when I introduce Art History that students can relate when they are seen and are more engaged with their learning. Also, when I do assignments that relate to their culture directly students want to complete their art, instead of pulling teeth. Currently, we are working on Trompe l'oeil Food Sculptures. Trompe l'oeil means to trick the eye. Students have to create a piece of food art that is so realistic you question if it is real or made out of clay. To make this culturally responsive, I have students make food that they traditionally make in their homes or family members make for them. They love this project because it brings back so many memories for them. Now for me, I am clueless about a lot of what they bring to me at first and have to research the food. I do not have the same background as my students. But this project is not about me, it is about making my students want to engage in a technique that traditionally is very frustrating. So, if bringing their culture into the project calms them into accepting the standard and having fun with the project, I have achieved my goal.

According to Mcleod, taking them seriously disrupts our comfort and expertise – and threatens our sense of authority (2020). I find the opposite though in my class. I think it gives students a sense of agency and teaches them to take control of their learning.

What do you do in your classroom that makes you uncomfortable, but you know is for the betterment of your students?

http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/page/3

Comments

  1. Dr. ThomasMarch 24, 2021 at 2:58 PM

    Great posts and assignment. I am prepping for an Ad Psych course I am teaching this summer, and the book I am reading, The Power of the Adolescent Brain, is discussing the need for authentic learning.

    ReplyDelete

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