Week 2 Reading Reflection
Aoki’s article talks about a teacher, Miss O, struggled between two curriculum worlds: curriculum-as-plan and curriculum-as-lived-experience. She intended to think critically about the existed education system and planned courses which regard every students without uniqueness. The TED talk of Alix, a creative girl with Asperger syndrome, chose her own way to live in the world and has helped lots of people who also suffer from Asperger syndrome through creating an autism-assistive app.
These two materials have something in common: the two people try to think and reflect their current life and feel skeptical with existed regulations and would like to make some changes (Alix even wants to make changes in other people’s life). One thing in the talk really inspired and touched me a lot was that Alix said Asperger syndrome is a painful thing for her, “but it is also the opposite. It is a gift, and it allows me to think innovatively. ” It reminds me of a sentence “God closed a door and will open another window for you”. We could not always immerse in the suffering and physical defect in our life, maybe it is a chance for people to explore their potential and talents in other fields. In addition, because of these defects, people have the motivation to overcome it and help others. It is quite important that educational research to realize the drawbacks and advantages of every students and consider about some suitable ways for teaching and learning.
As for Aoki’s article, I learned that when we should not just think something in one perspective, then our knowledge will be limited. Thinking with a linear logic is not very helpful when we analysis something. Furthermore, we should give ourselves time to reflect ourselves especially when we are quite busy but learn less. Most importantly, when we start to work or study something, we need to stand in a high point that scholars stand and look numerous materials in case to build up a broad horizon. When things go smoothly and important points or decisions should be made, it is better to stand back in a lower point or consider more about the real condition of ourselves. I do believe that these steps are truly essential for educational research.
Hey Crystal, I think you said it well when you connected your two readings; both Aoki and Alix feel that the existing rules and regulations may not meet the needs of all learners, so they identify the need to reflect on the current situation and, perhaps, make some changes. Alix’s viewing of her syndrome as both a challenge and a gift is quite inspirational. As you say, we can’t just focus on our defects; we also need to acknowledge, appreciate, and develop the skills that we actually have. In both cases, however, we do indeed need to reflect and gain perspective on the challenges of our lives and our journey through education.
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I agree with both you and Kieran that Alix’s story is very inspiring and touching. As educators, I think it is imperative for us to be as open-minded and inclusive as possible, embracing the differences and uniqueness of each learner and be creative with our pedagogic approaches to ensure that all perspectives, values, voices are well represented in any learning environment. Research is an effective tool which can fill in the gap between what we know (curriculum-as-planned) and what we don’t know but want to know (curriculum as lived experience) to extend the possibilities for the future.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Crystal and reading circle! Interesting to see the wish to change (or sometimes disregard) the rules in both these examples. Is that the essence of what educational research is about, do you think -- or is it something else, or something more?
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