How might this relate to theory - think systems theory!
If we have a system that requires humans to be superhuman in order to succeed, the system will most likely fail. This isn't to say that the average can't be moved up or down in its performance. But, we must support members in that system so that their average performance achieves the desired goal. Does giving teachers financial rewards for their good work achieve the support that is needed? No. That could be included in a supportive system but if that is the main means of support, this will not work. There is proof that money does NOT make people more happy. Members of a system ideally should be happy with themselves as they do their work. If they work hard and get a lot of money but aren't happy about their life, than they won't be a sustainable force in the system. They will eventually burn out. A FEW people are superhuman and will be able to survive, but those FEW will not sustain a whole system.
Nathan, I just have to say that I'm really glad you're blogging on Theory concepts. I've been struggling to wrap my mind around some of the things we talk about in class... reading your thoughts (and conversations with yourself) is helping me to sort out my own thoughts :) Thank you for this awesome idea of blogging!
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you are enjoying the blog. It has been a great way for me to also wrap my mind around these ideas. It takes time outside of class to rehash what was discussed until I can have a deeper understanding.
Nathan, I support your thinking that most of us are normal performers in our professions. The bell curve theory can be adapted to performance as well as ability. We regress to the norm.
ReplyDeleteThe demands on our teachers coming from national goals are both unfair and unrealistic. The thought that teachers through inspiration alone can change the trajectory of our students learning is false thinking. If a society's students are to experience more educational success, the task falls on that society not just those who teach them. We now know with out doubt that a child's learning environment starts long before s/he walks through the door of formalized learning. Our society needs to take a hard look at how to begin educating our children at conception. Long before children enter public school they need to be exposed to ongoing mental stimulation. If their early childhood caregiving environment lacks stimulation for learning, they have no chance of catching up with their peers, absolutely no chance. Our society needs to cry out for strong nuturing familial care and environments that create learning atmospheres.
Our schools need to be total learning centers where all staff, teachers, para's custodians, kitchen staff (everyone in the school building) are dedicated to providing a learning atmosphere. As a school social worker I saw boys as early as the third grade following a custodian for the day sweeping floors, emptying trash as a form of punishment. I saw students en mass watching entertainment videos during latch key programs. I saw kids sitting in the secretary's office for punishment. If they're anywhere outside the classroom they should be exposed to learning as if they were in the classroom. We need to rethink the idea that learning is an activity solely provided for in the classroom. We, all citizens are responsible for our children's learning whether we like it or not. We just are.