Jedi Training

The Millenium Falcon

Because I think the metaphor works, it is back to that galaxy far far away.


For the purposes of this post, anything that relates to the "establishment", writers block or plagiarism we can equate to the Empire.  Thus, Process Pedagogoy (and concepts like concept-transference) necessairly make up the Rebel Alliance.

Process Pedagogy is the style of teachership I wish to incorporate into the class room, and these readings have had the feeling of initiation into a pedogological training.  I am an ardent supporter of Sir Ken Robinson's philosophy of education - we must shift the paradigm.  The one in place is outmoded and no longer works.  The current assembly-line-approach is the Dark Side of learning that stifles creativity and growth.  Perhaps the most poignant argument made in our readings in defense of Sir Robinson's position is made by Rohman and Wlecke when they suggest that "the basic reason we taught students to write was to allow them greater self-actualization through better-thinking" (219).  This assumption is based on an understanding of cognitive thinking ala George Lackoff (Yoda):

It is important to note that the authors weren't primarily concerned with better writing, but better thinking, and that experience was their key.  The implication for aspiring teachers seems to be that if we can somehow manage a way to channel experience (the Force) we can become better Jedi (teachers/writers).  We know enough to know that, though elegantly simple, nothing is quite that easy.  We could get tripped up on a desire to give in to the Dark Side (comfort zone of manufactured, teacher-focused pedagogy), or we might re-invent ourselves as detectives trying to sleuth out plagiarism - a fate that could consume us to the point where it overwhelms actually teaching (not unlike Luke Skywalker's failure in the cave):

But I feel that, as good as the suggestions in the readings are, they ultimately fall short.  If Roham and Wlecke are correct, and the level and depth of our experience predicts how well we construct sentences, then there needs to be a real push to change the culture (within the Academy) as it currently exists.  I have solutions which include Indian food, Jazz, the Capital building, and Zombies. If you like, we can talk about these in class.