Connection, Evolution, and an Ever-Changing System

Something I have come to understand to a much greater extent since entering this program which I would not have believed when I was in high school is how many changes and shifts curriculum and pedagogy are constantly undergoing. As this is something I have only come to understand as an adult, I think it remains important to consistently re-imagine education and the ways in which we as educators think of it. This re-imagining can take many forms in the classroom and can have significant variation between subject areas. For example, my teachable is Social Studies and I think it is important to depart from traditional notions of Social Studies being based in old knowledge from outdated textbooks and sources. 

I am very open to uses of a wide range of sources in the Social Studies classroom, one in particular that I strive to integrate into my teaching is video media such as narrative film. I believe film is an incredibly important medium that merges Social Studies, English, and the Arts in a cross curricular fashion to tell important stories that can often be used as effective and engaging primary and secondary sources. Considering I as a teacher would like to integrate areas I am interested in to my teaching, I believe it is equally important to let students follow their interests and engage with course material in the ways that are most effective to them. Therefore, I think it is important to strive to create a space in the classroom for students to learn at both a pace that works for them through means and topics that allow for both curricular and personal comprehension.

I think a major obstacle to pedagogical change in schools to a more student-based form of education is the importance of marks and major exams such as standardized tests. In many of the core subjects in High School, final grade results are emphasized above all else, particularly in STEM. This leaves very little wiggle room for more creative approaches to education and places a significant importance on results above learning and interest. Additionally, in places like the United States (SAT) or Alberta (PAT and Diploma Exams) where standardized tests are still prominent aspects of education, it is exceptionally difficult to implement pedagogical change for the better as these standardized tests can make the difference surrounding where and if students can continue their education beyond high school.

An effective way to obtain more ideas surrounding how you can implement pedagogical change through new ways of teaching and learning into the classroom, it is important to build an extensive professional learning network. Conversations and ideas from colleagues and other educators are a great way to learn effective methods that others have used to convey course content and give students greater autonomy both within one’s subject area and beyond it. I think it’s very important to be open to the ideas of all educators from all subject areas because effective teaching methods can often work in multiple subject areas. Through learning from and discussing with other educators, one can learn how to better cater their teaching towards a wider and more diverse set of learners.

Film for Thought: Good Will Hunting (1997) is an important film to these topics as it deals with the outcomes of how the traditional education system disserviced the titular character, Will Hunting. 

As my inquiry project pertains to film and film plays quite a significant role in my life and my goals as an educator, it is something I often keep in mind when reflecting on both education and my own views.