On Tue, 14 Nov 2000, Paul Brandon wrote:
> At 4:42 PM -0500 11/13/00, Louis_Schmier wrote:
> >I am struck that such a simple idea as "community," of sharing, seems to
> >have such a powerful impact and a dramatic effect for so many. I find
> >that students who feel isolated, or isolate themselves, perform at lower
> >levels. I find that anything which promotes isolation and perpetuates
> >loneliness is debilitating. Anything that promotes a sense of intimacy,
> >connectedness, community can be releasing, exhilarating, and in some cases
> >healing. I have found that to the extent barriers are broken, bridges are
> >built,
> >and community created learning is enhanced.
> >
> >Community creates a powerful, supportive, encouraging sense of classroom
> >support and encouragementwhere the students feel better about coming out
> >from behind their "walls of lonliness," share who they really are and not
> >be socially isolated, and risk discovering the extent of their native
> >learning potential.
>
> What kind of data do you collect to support these conclusions?
> Are they a statement about your students' behavior, or about yours?
Both. Mine, theirs. Data? Let's see. Eight years and about 4,000
students: journals, transformations, conversations, project
presentations, small talk, body language, observations, self-evaluations,
miracles, letters, sometimes totally unscientific but insightful
"studies."
But, then, what I am saying isn't especially new even though we academics
have designed our classrooms to the contrary.
Make it a good day.
--Louis--
Louis Schmier [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Department of History www.therandomthoughts.com
Valdosta State University www.halcyon.com/arborhts/louis.html
Valdosta, GA 31698 /~\ /\ /\
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