Situational vs Sustainable
In the section titled "Jerry Maguire", the authors discuss situational values vs sustainable ones. They say that situational values are all about exploiting short-term opportunities rather that consistently living the principles that create long-term success. Sustainable values are all about what we should and should not do in all situations.
Did anyone else connect this with what is going on in our classrooms? I see situational values as "teaching to the test". When we devote a large portion of our classtime to testing, preparing for testing, etc, aren't we displaying situational values? Whereas, when we devise a curriculum that prepares students for success in future high school courses, college or career, aren't we displaying sustainable values? Thoughts anyone?
Yes, Joel, you are exactly right--we do devote so much time teaching to the text that we are creating and sustaining situational values.
ReplyDeleteAre we really designing curriculum that prepares students for success in college and careers? I think we have to continually connect what students are learning in our classrooms to "real life." I don't think it is easy, but I do believe that's why there is such a push for "problem-based" learning, etc. I wish we could always connect our math curriculum to science, etc. and create more "theme" units.
I have been reading about google and yahoo and how they encourage creativity--every Friday employees get to work on something that interests them--or have time to ask managers questions, etc. Think of how little time our students have time to collaborate, or better still, how little time we have to get together to create meaningful lessons? Wouldn't it be great if we had time to talk each week?
Well said on both accounts!
ReplyDeleteI think we are pretty fortunate at HH. Despite the standardization of education, Dr. Bitner would always say we would not "teach to the test" in order to meet the short term goal of doing well on the PSSA. Yes - we did create a new English class to help the 9th graders get prepared, but those skills help them in all subjects.
I agree with Mary Ellen in regards to connecting learning to "real-life" and we worked on that last year in accord with Kelly Gallagher's book.
Ok - so we have think beyond situational values. I think the majority of teachers would buy into this philosophy. However, the problem lies within our policy makers. How long are their terms? 2 years? 4 years? Hardly long enough to stick to their guns and support sustainable values.
Unless, of course, you count their re-election as a sustainable value.