A theme I noticed in the “Take 20″ video, were various responses to student writing and student contribution in composition courses. Schlib, Alder-Kassner, and Sanchez discussed their surprise with student engagement in their writing classes, and their excitement with reading student work. What I found most inspiring of this piece is how many of the instructors emphasized collaborative learning, peer work, and peer workshops. Cushman says it best when instructors should have their students “vested in a problem,” and making “sure that problem resonates with them in particular ways.” Cushman’s insight is helpful and inspiring because it gives composition instructors a way to make sure their students become “invested in the curriculum,” and get the most out of group work and the class. What surprised me about this piece, was the discussion of what instructors learned from their students. In particular, being “patient” (Bartholomae), taught to “shut up and listen to what they had to say” (Lunsford), and “humility” (Cushman). This surprised me because it shows how much we as composition instructors can learn from our students, and how we can teach them more effectively, based on their input.
Response to “Take 20″ video.
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September 30, 2009 at 8:52 pm |
I also really liked that idea of “getting out of the way” of students and the importance of instructors learning from their students. It seems like sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves to have all of the answers, and in doing so, we effectively remove ourselves from the discourse community. I came away from the video with the sense that it is important for teachers to see themselves as part of the group – certainly more knowledgeable and necessarily responsible, but still part of the learning environment.
October 1, 2009 at 2:32 am |
I completely agree, listening to our students is the key component to producing an effective curriculum. As instructors, we should know that we learn new things everyday, keeping an open mind to new ideas will be the driving force to teaching and learning productively.