Re: Cin C
KEN GOODMAN (KGOODMAN who-is-at CCIT.ARIZONA.EDU)
Mon, 25 Dec 1995 08:57:15 -0700 (MST)
Two seminal concepts from Dewey have a lot to do with the intersection that
Mike is seeking. One is the concept of starting where the learners are. A
corrolary is that we adjust school to the learner rather than forcingt
the learner to adjust to the school. The second concept is that school is not
preparation for life- it is life. That leads to an understanding that
the world of school must provide experiences that fit the present needs of
learners rather than some future needs they will have as adults. That makes
it important to understand the culture of childhood and youth. Goodlad's
study of schooling found, for example that in middle school the single
most important concern of the kids was friends- forming and keeping social
relationships but schools showed little concern for the social concerns of
learners.
Ken Goodman