Talking Points #10

Ira Shor
Education Is Politics:
An Agenda for Empowerment

1. "People are naturally curious. They are born learners. Education can either develop or stifle their inclination to ask why and to learn. A curriculum that avoids questioning school and society is not, as is commonly supposed, politically neutral. It cuts off the students' development
as critical thinkers about their world. "

- I think that it is extremely important for education to be interesting for students. Since people are curious, if education is interesting it will keep their attention and make them want to learn more. For a student to ask questions especially the question "why," then they are learning and are somewhat intrigued by what they are being taught. Also, allowing students to question the world, makes them think more critically about the society they live in.

2. "A curriculum that does not challenge the standard syllabus and conditions in society informs students that knowledge and the world are fixed and are fine the way they are, with n0 role for student to play in transforming them, and no need for change."

- While I think it is important to teach concepts that are the "norm," I also believe in teaching the opposing sides to these normalized ideals as well. This way the students can form their own opinions. Also, like stated in the quote, they think about what things might need to be changed and they can form ideas about how to change these things. Nothing in the world is in a fixed pattern and students should learn this at a young age so that they can make their own ideals and paths toward the future.

3. "As the teacher observes students in class, reads their writing, and holds dialogues with them, he or she perceives many suggestive threads which have to be fashioned into a problem for the next phase of inquiry.

- I think that it is a great method for teachers to learn from their students learning. By asking the students questions, getting their insights, then reiterating/reposing new questions based on the student answers will help make concepts more concrete for them. Also, from this the teacher can see how much the students know about a particular topic and can also clarify any questions or confusions that the students might have.

I really liked this reading other than the fact that it was so very very long...but the topic covered in this article were interesting and I agreed with a lot of it as well. Teaching students about the society we live in today and by challenging the "normal" curriculum students tend to think critically, form their own opinions and also become interested in what they are learning. Therefore, these students will soak up more knowledge.