Barone writes in his book,
Touching Eternity, the enduring outcomes of teaching,
"Early in his career Don had hoped to achieve his aims (his aims were appreciation of art and nuture talents, my parapharse here) with every one of these beginning students. But he discovered that a school's organizational features can be educationally debilitaing." (p.112)
Over the years, I have come to realize that it is because of the organizational features that are in place that some teachers become bitter or disinterested. The system puts 30+ students in a beginning classroom. Whether it is beginning art, math, or Spanish - a classroom over crowded will lead to lack of personal attention for each and every student. Another example of poor orgainzation features is the new (once old) schedule of 50 minute classes. If the classes were smaller and 50 minutes, a teacher would be able to utilize this schedule. In a subject such as art having set up, clean up and group instruction leaves little time for individual instruction and critique.
This fits into the lecture in that Barone brought the group back to educational theorists and how they conceive the 'ideal' student and how we can build and challenge these models for our 'ideal' student.
Although more questions were raised than answered - the questions challenged me to reflect on my expectations for my students.
Comments (4)
I have wondered what prompted the return to the "old, but not necessarily effective" 55 minute class schedule. Is this for the convenience of the adults? the learning of the students? or for budgetary reasons - to squeeze the already tired teacher to teach another section of a course?
Posted by tim | December 7, 2005 1:33 PM
Posted on December 7, 2005 13:33
I was relieved to hear Barone say in his lecture that his research asked questions, not solved or gave answers. With my own teacher reseach, I have found that I continue to find more questions to ask and struggle with finding solutions.
To everyone invloved, thanks for giving me another opportunity to learn from outside of my classroom. I enjoyed the Tom Barone lecture at the Children's Museum.
Posted by Ron | December 13, 2005 7:49 AM
Posted on December 13, 2005 07:49
Tim, I am intrigued by new/old ideas as well... We constantly seem to be searching for "the magic bullet"--as if some sweeping change will be the elixir for masses of students.
I too struggle with having too many students in higher education classes. More than 12 students in a doctoral class means that each one does not get the attention needed to learn how to engage in qualitative research. Also, I am overburdened with long assignments and what seems like endless reading and grading. I sense both the students and I would be happier with smaller classes. However, what works best for those engaged in the learning situation often is subordinated to other agendas--profit margin, what research says, what somebody else is doing, etc.
Ron, I agree with Tom Barone and you. Research should open up questions and problems in a generative way instead of providing research answers that has little applicability or relevance to practice.
Posted by Cheryl Craig | December 15, 2005 7:09 PM
Posted on December 15, 2005 19:09
Michaelann, I was taken with Tom Barone's talk of the "imaginaries." It reminded me that we all operate from frameworks that may or may not be appropriate or representative of reality. Barone's example about parents' views of schools was an apt one. I think there are many imaginaries about urban schools and urban teachers that exist. For example, the idea that students and teachers in large high schools do not know each other well is a common perception.
Another imaginary, to borrow Barone's expression, is the notion that science-based research can solve the practical problems of the schools. Another is that alternative certification programs will supply the quantity and quality of teachers to teach in urban schools.
I really like this idea of imaginaries and I want to unpack it some more in the future, particularly with respect to urban schools, urban teachers, and urban students.
Posted by Cheryl Craig | December 15, 2005 7:18 PM
Posted on December 15, 2005 19:18