When I was in college, I was strongly engaged by classes like Semantics, Philosophy, Sociology, Classic Literature, and Psychology. Through these fields, I read about mankinds' great minds and transformative ideas. I did all of the required reading because I genuinely enjoyed it.
When it came to Pedagogy, however, I struggled to feign interest. It didn't help that my Pedagogy professors were some of my weakest teachers; even at that age, the irony wasn't lost on me. I felt that anyone who over-analyzed and dissected the act of teaching was wasting their time (and mine).
I wasn't discouraged by the professors who made me feel like my lack of interest in the "anticipatory set" and lengthy lesson plans would prevent me from being a good teacher because I was far from impressed by their teaching. I remember one of my pedagogy professors specifically telling me that I would not make a good teacher. My respect for her as a teacher was so low, I actually took it as a compliment. I knew that, unlike her, I would never be condescending and narrow-minded. I knew that all her knowledge of the latest educational fads and research couldn't be a prerequisite for good teaching, because the great teachers I had as a child predate whatever "flavor of the week" she was selling.
Great teaching predates pedagogy. It predates universities. It predates chalk boards, administrators, and even written language.
I'm not saying that educational research is pointless or that teaching shouldn't evolve. It must evolve and it will- with or without traveling lecturers and political advocacy groups. I am saying that this evolution must be driven by teachers- great teachers. Not dictated by statisticians and politicians, but by teachers who have actually taught recently- teachers who have earned the respect of their students and colleagues. These are the professionals who best understand the current conditions on the ground.
Today's technology allows teachers to share ideas, best practices, and materials instantly and almost effortlessly. The incessant re-inventing of the wheel can stop. PLEASE make it stop!
Dr. Levinowitz, if you are reading this, rest assured this is NOT about you. Your Music Pedagogy courses were extremely valuable thanks to your practical, hands-on approach. You had the courage to step out of abstraction and give us the experience of teaching each other, and being taught by one another.
Oh, and by the way-
I'm participating in an Educational Technology "mooc" (massive open online course) called etmooc. https://plus.google.com/communities/116116451882856472187
I signed up to communicate and collaborate with other tech-minded, and hopefully, open-minded educators. Feel free to check it out. Or, if it doesn't interest you, find what does and stay engaged. !!
