What a fantastic learning week. I am sad that the interactive blogging is now on hold or done for the class. So many more topics to dig into. This week I engaged in discussions about some topics that make me wonder if I will be in teaching long term/professional track, visualized a new realization about DI in my mind through a Chelsea picture, brainstormed with a coworker on DI, attempted to inspire change, and began to form some political thoughts on higher education.
I believe that the top of my list of growth this week is truly beginning to form political thoughts on higher education, academic freedom, and tenure. Anyone who knows me knows that I am far from a political person. My discussion with Heather Marie challenged me and inspired me to think of change agents, to brainstorm to improve student learning among our department. I have often over the years of my life heard negative connotation around the word tenure. I am not a tenured instructor and will admit it is still amiss to me the true ins and outs on the topic other than once tenured difficult to change status. I felt as though many ideas that were inspired by interaction with Heather Marie were stifled by the words academic freedom and tenure. Do these things then create silos in which instructors live? Are they untouchable? Are they free of peer support, review & investment? Yes, I tend to lean on the optimist side of life yet am far from ignorant to the most dreadful things people can do to each other through desire to see another fail just because they do not like them. With this idea in mind is peer to peer review possible at the higher-level education? Could we create a cooperation of those who seek to see others succeed and support one another on a positive note? I look forward to see if this is possible as I hope to find others who may have the same good intentions. Instructor approachability was presented by Moriah. She asked how, as a learner, one might go about approaching an instructor about DI or how one would build a relationship with an instructor. I felt at a loss and sad that truly in my heart the answer was “I would not dare do such a thing in fear of getting on the bad side of the instructor and getting a poor grade”. I hope to never be such an instructor. We cannot be their close friends however we can be their mentors to build a trust relationship on that allows us as instructors to push the student toward success while having the student trust us that we have their best interest at heart. I reached out to Prof. Lee to provide more feedback as an experienced instructor. The ability to make choices was discussed with Heather Marie, and Prof Lee. Prof Lee shared how some learners become paralyzed at the idea of choice. I have found that in my own learning. As I reflect on the rational it is like my previous topic with Moriah about a trusting relationship with the instructor. If I trust my instructor to guide me than I feel a release to embrace choice and press on confidently. If I can trust my instructor to keep me from falling off the path I strive. The word that loudly comes to my mind is “I can fly” to embrace a topic. I have had classes where I feel lost and so fearful that I will fail the class it paralyzes me and leaves me uninspired to embark on the learning journey until the last minute of demand. If I do not know the instructor and even more if it is online where it is just a name I become very paralyzed when it comes to most assignments. Somehow in this class I feel a sense of safety. I am making the mark so I feel more drawn to engage. The idea of DI was moved in my mind from the simple picture that Chelsea posted. It made a connection in my mind and spirit that our goal is to ease the student’s ability to see the whole picture. Chelsea picture one may just see that they are each on the same verses different devices to see over the fence. I further noticed that the students were all looking different directions. This idea of where the students were looking caused me to realize that when the student can see the whole picture in a way that eases their learning experience they can engage in focusing on various things and interest such as with the picture maybe one student is watching the game, one is looking at the lady in the stands with the flag and the other is for the first time seeing how green the grass is. It’s about engaging with the material in a way that allows the students to truly see beyond the basics of the idea. In closing I have discussed many challenges to my thinking and even my soul as a teacher. To realize the fear that students experience and the silos that we have created leaving some students isolated, alone and unsuccessful in their learning experiences. This drives me for change. To reach out to peers and create a team of instructors who desire to continue to engage the students to be open to new ideas, peer to peer reviews, and never settling for the status quo. I am not sure how this will be accepted as it will reflect poorly on those who do not engage however it will in theory improve the various individual teaching styles and student success. This drives me to be interested in the state and national politics of higher education and what is going on to drive student’s success. Wow this was a wonderful learning week and even my family are surprised at my growth to take a stand in politics.
2 Comments
Heather Marie
2/6/2017 03:46:29 pm
I actually checked your reflection because I loved our conversations about this. Tenure and academic freedom are both great concepts when applied appropriately. Tenure originated to protect faculty who pushed the envelope on the norm, allowing them to ask the hard questions, teach difficult subjects, speak out against governmental actions, and present ethical dilemmas to students without fear of reprisal from the administration. I fully support this concept of tenure. Academic freedom began in much the same way, ensuring faculty had the ability to share controversial content, test new methods of instruction, and avoid oversight in the form of mandated curriculum (not standards, but the "how" of standards being met). Again, I fully support this concept. I think it's just interpreted much differently than it was intended to be. Furthermore, you can absolutely find those committed to peer review and the improvement of their craft. At the end of the day, if you do what you think is right, advocate for change where you can, and give your students an optimal learning experience - that's enough.
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Rachelle White
2/6/2017 05:25:08 pm
Thank you Heather for checking in I was hoping to hear something. Today I was talking with another instructor who was tenured and she explained the vary thing you mention. I am glad to learn more and look forward to being more aware of such ideas outside of the box. I think I would reconsider the tenure idea someday.
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Rachelle White
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