EDFT, FEb.12th

Introduction to Writing and Your Learning Journey

• Approach writing assignments as a reflection of your learning journey.

• Engage in deep questioning about your motivations, interests, inspirations, and frustrations.

• The process of writing fosters critical introspection, enhancing personal insight into your thoughts.

Value of Writing in the Learning Process

• Writing as a Skill:

  • Consider writing as a standalone skill that impacts thinking.

  • The true value of writing lies in its ability to clarify and articulate thoughts.

• Enhancing Thought Processes:

  • Writing helps to identify and deepen understanding of topics.

  • As you articulate your thoughts on paper, you can build on existing ideas, further enriching your knowledge.

• Writing as a Continuous Learning Tool:

  • Emphasizing that writing is integral to ongoing learning rather than merely showcasing what you've learned.

  • This process aligns with the concept of assessment for learning, promoting growth instead of mere evaluation.

Administrative Announcements

• A sign-up sheet for symposia was circulated; all groups should ensure they select a time slot.

• Open opportunities remain for signing up to participate; assistance is available for groups needing help.

Thematic Exploration: Education and Society

• Educational Foundation Perspective:

  • The central theme revolves around education’s role in society and investigating its fundamental structures.

  • Approach the inquiry from a broader perspective to understand foundational elements in educational programming, research, theories, and teaching.

• Complementary Areas of Study:

  • Discusses various interconnected areas including:

  • Social and ecological justice.

  • Anti-racist and anti-oppressive education.

  • Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

  • Environmental education for sustainability.

  • Place-based and land education.

Characteristics of Educational Areas

• Pursuing Questions:

  • Identify: "What kind of education, pedagogy, and practices can advance a shared vision for society?"

  • Recognize: "What beliefs and historical practices have led to societal issues?"

• Common Threads:

  • The emphasis on core enduring qualities such as care, compassion, and mutual recognition.

  • The consideration of ecological health connecting individual, community, and ecosystem wellness.

Resistance to Progressive Educational Areas

• Awareness of Emotional Resistance:

  • Even well-supported educational concepts face emotional resistance and backlash from the public.

  • Understanding the source of this resistance involves exploring the societal narratives that provoke conflict regarding educational values.

• Learning to Question:

  • Effective learning demands the ability to question lifelong messages perceived as truths which may not hold under scrutiny.

  • Examples in various domains (such as colonialism, racism, etc.) reveal a pattern of resistance to new understandings.

Learning Theory Perspective

• Distinction of Learning Focus:

  • Emphasis on understanding the learning process rather than just content.

  • Recognizes that developing a learning theory perspective enriches awareness of self and social constructs.

Reflective Practice on Emerging Messages

• Factors in Learning Improvement:

  • Critical exploration of societal messages aids in recognizing inaccuracies in inherited narratives.

  • Developing a self-directed approach to identifying gaps and questioning assumptions strengthens learning.

Social Understanding and Its Challenges

• The Importance of Frame of Reference:

  • Personal anecdotes illustrate the fear of stagnation and not evolving intellectually over time, leading to outdated perspectives.

  • This requires an active engagement in learning and introspection to prevent unintentional perpetuation of prejudices.

• Environment for Learning:

  • Creating supportive environments in classrooms that welcome questioning is critical but complex.

  • It is essential to facilitate rather than dictate how students process and internalize learning, underscoring the non-linear nature of growth.

Screening and Discussion of Stella Young's Video

• Introduction to Ableism:

  • Explores societal structures favoring certain abilities while marginalizing differently-abled individuals.

  • Discusses how narratives around ability and success often mislead societal understanding, creating emotional impacts regarding disability.

• Key Points of Discussion:

  • Young highlights that acceptance and understanding of disability must shift away from personal attributes to societal structures, emphasizing shared experiences over inspirational stereotypes.

  • The concept of "inspiration porn" is introduced as a critique of how disabled individuals are often perceived as mere motivators rather than individuals with unique identities and stories.

Goals of Reflected Learning from Young's Discussion

• Participants engage in discussions about how narratives and messaging shape perceptions of disability.

• Emphasizing a continuous review of personal biases and societal assumptions about ability, learning the importance of questioning these constructs.

Concluding Thoughts

• Reinforcing the importance of keeping an open mind as you navigate through complex social issues.

• Emphasizes that learning is a lifelong journey; be proactive and engage in self-reflection to ensure growth over time.

• The aim is to create a culture of questioning and critical thinking within academic and social contexts.