The
Vygotsky reading emphasizes how important our work as language arts teachers is
to the development of our students. Although the reading was difficult, it is
very clear that what we do in our classrooms is vital, and supports the natural
evolution of human intellect. Across
these texts, I am seeing a recurrent theme of student agency. Even in this
text, I sense that Vygotsky sees communication as something that doesn’t
necessarily have to be taught but something that occurs naturally and can be
nurtured and blossomed by teachers and the social and cultural environment.
However, school does not support this blossoming, instead we position our
students as people who lack any type of knowledge and attempt to fill them with
our own. Communication is also something that is not celebrated in schools, and
I am always in awe at how much policing the students do of their own
communication.
In
applying Vygotsky’s analysis, I think I will continue to put communication and
language at the forefront of my classroom whether it is through discussion or
writing. I think this is something that educators should investigate. More time
and effort needs to be put on helping our students flourish and grow, rather
than filling them with concepts that do not support their natural development
as human beings.
As
far as my placement, things are a lot better. We have switched to nonfiction
and my CT has given me a lot of freedom in developing lessons for my classes.
I’ve tried a couple of things but realize that getting to the point of having the
types of discussions I imagine is going to take some time. One issue that
stands out to me the most is the issue of community. The students in one of my
classes seem very unconnected and because of this their willingness to
participate is very limited. I’ve rearranged their seats so that they can get
to know other class members, but I think what I will do next is be more
explicit about the type of classroom environment I’m hoping for and is
necessary. I am beginning to realize it is much better when your vision and
expectations for the classroom are less of a mystery for the students.
Jackie, I love your idea that learning and school based education should operate as a facilitator of knowledge creation, not as some sort of knowledge authority. I agree with your thought provoking statement that positions education as a support system for the "natural evolution of the human intellect." I could not have phrased that any better! What human beings are doing in the classroom is not isolated from the outside world, because learning is Natural. Now, the classroom as a learning environment should be tailored to SUPPORT this learning and to try to cultivate it in as productive a way as possible. I think this question is the joy and the challenge of teaching: How do we create an environment that best supports a student in their learning endeavors?
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