Response to Layla Zhang’s Post

 https://create.twu.ca/layla11/2018/05/19/unit-3-learning-activity-2-rank-talk-write/

 

Additionally, I would like to mention the idea brought explicitly by Cahalan that “To learn a practice means to experience the practice, practice it, tell about it, ask questions about it, read about it, write about it, practice it, do it, empower others to do it” (Cahalan & Foley, 2017, p. 12). These are exactly what we are doing right now in this course. We are assigned to read, write, reflect on our thoughts, ask questions to invite further discussion, and response to others blogs. That is why I love getting involved in education because I could help myself and other people become a wiser person.

I appreciated the quote by Cahalan and Foley (2017) that you selected to share; “To learn a practice means to experience the practice, practice it, tell about it, ask questions about it, read about it, write about, practice it, do it, empower others to do it (p.12)”.

I immediately applied this quote to the classroom and my responsibility as a teacher to help my students develop their critical thinking skills.  Firstly learning happens by actively doing, so I try to provide as many hands on opportunities for learning as possible. Secondly, after practicing,  I’ve found that by having students share their learning experience with others, it helps to not only reinforce  the concepts but also allows for them to be open to others ideas and conceptions.  They can then reflect and readjust their thinking if needed. Thirdly, these animated discussions can lead to more essential questions being asked; such as “What factors are necessary for institutional change to happen?” that lead to even more discussion and even more questioning. After this intentional analytical and analyzing of information, students are then in a better position to write about and share their learning with others. I love watching this process in action and always leave feeling empowered and inspired by it! We are creating future citizens who are socially conscious of their responsibilities and who will be producers of information, rather than just consumers!

The reason why I bring up the classroom is that sometimes these critical thinking skills that teachers practice with their students, might not necessarily be practiced by themselves.  It is a good reminder that we all need to do these things and not just be passive receptors of information that we then regurgitate as being correct without any analysis or questioning.

Some questions to really ask ourselves are:

Other than this course… in our daily lives and in our daily jobs…

Do I ask questions, share my learning with others, read or write about my practice on a regular basis?

If not, why not?