Bare Bones
There are some things that I hope outlast the coronavirus pandemic.
the slower pace of life
the long walks
the thorough hand washing
the Sunday night remote family Happy Hours
That’s about it.
Except for this:
I hope teaching can remain bare bones — and fleshed out with
what matters.
By “bare bones” I mean basic. And by “basic” I mean the answers to these simple and quite difficult questions:
How must students be different by the end of your course or this academic year?
What activities can students do — what skills will they practice on what content — that will make it impossible for them not to change in the intended way(s)?
By “fleshed out with what matters” I mean supporting students in discovering
their own unique genius.
Their reason for living. The contribution they will make to life on earth. The interests and activities that bring them joy. The expectation that they will be honored and celebrated for being just themselves. The certainty of caring connection. The experience of encountering and meeting high expectations. The gifts of self-awareness, self-care, and relational resilience. Repeated experiences of empowerment and effectualness. An accurate grasp of their competence and worth. The capacity to recognize and work on their weaknesses and foibles with confidence and good humor. The desire to learn.
I could go on and on. Which is interesting. Because that list — the list that explains what I mean by unique genius — is, in my view,
hands down,
the most important qualities to cultivate in students.
I hope this way of thinking about teaching and learning outlasts the coronavirus. Hell, I hope it is spawned by the coronavirus. And spreads like a pandemic.