looking back
November 5, 2009
As a group I do think we failed to address Joachim’s line of reasoning that “these are just words”, that the jargon, so prevalent in theoretical works, can impede/get in the way of meaning, a courageous stand to take on, in an academic setting. Looking back, it was the ideal time to have questioned the parroting of the educational jargon.
These rarefied buzz words are used as baskets/hold alls of meaning, their ambiguity making for careless application while endowing the user with unfounded competence. Take the word ‘Contextualise’ as an example, its general nature does tend to blur meaning when simpler direct words offer more substance. Say framework or circumstance, have more distinct meanings (at least in a context!).
Jochim also spoke of a reformed education strategy in Denmark where the system intervened to prevent student failure and how the level of student performance had risen to meet that aim. It would be a good idea to examine this and other such instances of successful intervention.
November 6, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Hi there! This will be a short as it is late on a Fri. evening and I should go home, but I couldn’t just leave it.
I think you have a point about us not challenging the ‘words’. I guess as someone who is not that troubled by language I was not being critical. I guess that I have seen how the ‘just words’ can lead to new thinking that can have positive impact in the studio and so I was quite happy to take what I could get from the sessions.
I am suspicious of the buzz words, but I feel that behind them are ideas that if nothing else warrant a close look and can contribute to me scrutinizing what I do. I think that by using the various theories it is possible to open up a conversation with yourself that can lead to insight and hopefully useful ideas about my teaching. I do think any kind of thinking, even that which is done under duress can lead to growth and that can’t be bad.
Anyway, sod the words, just think about how you do what you do, why you do it and what you might do to help the students learn more.
I also wanted to say that I really enjoyed meeting you and that I feel privileged to be exchanging thoughts with someone as knowledable and as passionate as you. Bye for now.