Conditions of Invention
I liked Gen Yes’s quote from Papert:
The role of the teacher is to create the conditions for invention rather than provide ready-made knowledge.
What was even more interesting was a comment from Lisa-Gaye that she gets tired of teaching with colleagues who are “sages on the stage.”
Having just went through something with many of our teachers along this vein, there was some resistance. Some simply will tell you “I don’t have the time or patience” to change my teaching, use technology, or… learn something new.
Becoming an agent of change is tough work, no doubt about it.
April 21st, 2008 at 8:10 pm
John,
That thought process is directly caused by the flawed tenure system. Why should someone be in a permanent position just because they have been there 5 years? Administration should have the will and the means of removing teachers with that stagnant attitude. It’s hard to motive anyone to change without the proper carrots and sticks.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:15 pm
MW -
I hear what you’re saying. I think I understand tenure. In today’s age, however, we’re being told jobs could change what? 8-20 times in your life?
Teaching may just be the one last job where you can still start at 22, and work for 30 years in the same building.
Despite the flawed system, it’s the only one we have now, and I still hold out optimism for the ability to inspire change. I think a modified system, say, of 3-year review spans might be a nice place to move towards. I think 1-year increments are also too short for noted progress in professional development.