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Pedagogy and Packets

Pedagogy: It's the science of what we do. It's been several years since I started following the terrific Jennifer Gonzalez's Cult of Pedagogy. Perhaps my favorite post of hers is one I've been meaning to write about for awhile, called "Frickin Packets".

I'll get to it in a moment, but first let me digress. In progressive ed tech circles, we can get faddish. I've seen the lecture attacked as old fashioned ( and I've seen the anti- anti lecture backlash as well.) This NYT article raises some good points. Indeed , "a good lecture class.... keeps students’ minds in energetic and simultaneous action." Yet, the Marshall McLuhan quote that starts the following video is equally true.

I've seen the Socratic method labeled a cover for something more akin to this scene from Ferris Bueller, and we've seen worksheets and packets (rightly) scorned for being time-consuming, brainless seat work.

What I really like about her podcast and article, Frickin Packets is this Worksheet Continuum. As you can see, not all packets are bad. But let's agree that most are more likely to be at step two along her continuum.

And let's agree with this young man, Jeff Bliss who respectfully though pointedly tells his teacher he needs more from her then just "frickin packets". I'd suggest he's guilty of thinking the only type of good teaching is one in which teachers do most of the talking. But we can have mindless teaching of the packet variety or of the Ben Stein variety. And by the way, before we dismiss Bueller, Bueller as parody, I need to point out that the classroom I did my student teaching in, a class whose composition looked much like this one, was like Ben Stein's class on a good day and pretty much used Step 2 style packets the rest of the time. Engaging it wasn't. And young people tuned out. I admire this kid's bravery.

The best part of the post (and podcast) is the Gonzalez rightly points out that some of the biggest players in ed-tech make packets in disguise. Ed-Tech too has its "Bueller, Bueller" apps. Some like Will Richardson bemoan the fact that the "big" tables at ISTE- the ones sponsored by the big companies basically use ed-tech to reproduce some of the worst practices of traditional education. Corporations have sabotaged ed-tech's promise.

I know some great lecturers. Real learning goes on in their classrooms. I know some people who lead terrific, engaging discussions. Good Ed- Tech can be a powerful and even transformative tool for learning. Let's always been mindful that good teaching can take several forms. Let's leave room for the good lecturer. But let's also get kids actively making and doing. Really, listen to the podcast and read the article.

I close with another image from her article. There's a whole lot we can do besides give good lectures.

Seriously, read it.

Created By
Alexander McDonnell
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Created with images by pfpgroup - "Back to school"

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