What I believe learning and teaching are – and ought to be
an incomplete, hastily-composed, and perpetually-under-consideration set of thoughts
inspired by Rajiv Jhangiani’s 5R’s for Open Pedagogy
ACTIVE…
Learning is not about absorbing something, letting something wash over you. It is about participating. For students, I want them to understand that they have agency, that they feel brave enough to take the lead and let their voices be heard (not all of the time, but at least some of the time). For me and for my fellow teachers, that means we can’t just let inertia get to us. We have to keep revising, reimagining what education is and what it should be.
HUMAN…
We are not brains in jars. We are whole people. This means we have good days and bad days. We have things outside the space of the classroom that cannot and should not be put aside when we enter. Each perspective, each voice is valuable – and for that to be fully true, we have to acknowledge and sit with each other’s humanity. Even and especially when it makes us uncomfortable or takes us and our ways of thinking out of the center of things.
COLLABORATIVE…
You can’t sit inside your bubble and not interact with others if you want to learn. You just can’t. You need other voices and other truths. You need to embrace the messiness of group work. You need to make space for others in your learning and you need to feel that others are making space for you. We should see ourselves as co-learners. Who’s a “teacher” and who’s a “student” can and should shift. These are not fixed roles, no matter what an institution or a contract may say.
INCLUSIVE…
Real life shit shouldn’t get in the way of anyone’s education. No voices or experiences should be excluded because of a lack of accessibility or inclusivity. If you are able-bodied, white, cis, straight, tenured (fill in the blank that puts you in a position of privilege) this means you have to do more work to make it possible or easier for others to learn. Suck it up. Your extra time is well-worth it and usually not much effort when compared to the barriers that your co-learners may be facing just to be there. Get over yourself.
EQUITABLE…
Meet everyone where they are at. Don’t make assumptions. Don’t roll your eyes about things that “aren’t the way they used to be” from your perspective. Embrace the broad range of learning styles and experiences that greets you when you step foot in a classroom. That diversity enriches our learning spaces and makes them stronger and more meaningful.
KIND…
In the Middle English sense, but also in the modern sense. Be true and real to yourself. Be naturally you. Treat others (and yourself) with grace and gentleness. This doesn’t always mean “being nice” or that people shouldn’t argue and butt heads and disagree. There’s nothing “kynde” about false smiles. Be genuine. Be sincere.
BRAVE…
This isn’t easy. It shouldn’t be.
Learning is about leaving your comfort zone. It should be a bit risky, like you’re standing at the edge of something. If it doesn’t feel that way, you’re doing it wrong.
This harder for some folks than others – and that shouldn’t be, either.
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