As some of you know, there are a few of us that been reading Rochester’s “Class Warfare” for EDU 671. While Mr. Rochester may have some valid points regarding today’s educational system, his arrogant tone puts off many people. After dissecting Rochester’s continual abuse of the progressive educator, we have now moved on to William Ayers’ book “Teaching the Personal and the Political.”
Ayers’ fresh perspective on education as well as the art of teaching is stimulating. Where there is a problem in the classroom, Ayers models teachers who embrace the situation and call on the students for help; after all it is there class as well. One particular example Ayers uses is Eliot Wiggington. When Wiggington failed to entice his students, he humbled himself and asked for their help. The students embraced this opportunity to be heard and the class magazine “Foxfire” was born.
“Foxfire” allowed the children to collaborate on various activities in the school as well as the community. Wiggington confessed that he learned so much more about his students personally. The educational process should educate both the students and the instructor on a daily basis. As a few people had pointed out in our 671 class on Tuesday, both books are opinions on education and should be treated as such. It is our job to filter out the nonsense or arrogant babble, so that we can help to create a more productive classroom for all of our students.
Chrissy
Education in Motion
Reading is Fundamental
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1 comment:
Foxfire (http://www.foxfire.org/) is an extraordinary program--philosophy--empowering pedagogy...take a look at their web site.
I agree that these authors are writing out of their own experiences, yes. What are their credentials? I know Ayers', a former Weatherman activist, has decades of exper. in community organizing and education...I admire him. Don't know anything about Rochester...
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