The classroom is such a dynamic environment, that it is foolish to NOT be responsive. So often, teachers try and use technical solutions to “fix” problems in their classrooms (e.g.: disengagement, disruption, etc.). There are no quick fixes in the classroom because there are 20-30 other human beings in the same learning environment. I love how you discuss shifting your mindset. I find that shifts in my mindset, building relationships, continual experimentation, reflection and iteration seem to be the best (and most humane) way to run a classroom.
Dec 21, 2023·edited Dec 21, 2023Liked by Marcus Luther
Love this post. And I would add another ingredient that I believe is a bit of a roll-up of several you mention: relationships. It's where I find myself going when I hear sky-is-falling concerns about AI replacing teachers. AI can be responsive to a point -- but it lacks the ability to create real connections and relationships (don't let the movie "Her" convince you otherwise).
It's why I said a few weeks ago..."Still, I hope we never ask a bot to comfort a sad kid." Being responsive on the level you're discussing requires the ingredients you mention -- and it requires that you've invested in the number one tool (pedagogical, socio-emotional, human) for your tool belt: growing connections and relationships.
I agree! It's sort of a chicken-or-the-egg, too, I think: does the responsive classroom help foster relationships, or do the relationships make the classroom responsive? It's a both-and, I believe, and I appreciate you pointing it out.
I also think you're right that authentic responsiveness is something that matters even more in an AI moment where lots of other aspects of the classroom are attempted (key word: attempted) to be replicated—and this is something that we need to double-down on more than ever.
The classroom is such a dynamic environment, that it is foolish to NOT be responsive. So often, teachers try and use technical solutions to “fix” problems in their classrooms (e.g.: disengagement, disruption, etc.). There are no quick fixes in the classroom because there are 20-30 other human beings in the same learning environment. I love how you discuss shifting your mindset. I find that shifts in my mindset, building relationships, continual experimentation, reflection and iteration seem to be the best (and most humane) way to run a classroom.
Love this post. And I would add another ingredient that I believe is a bit of a roll-up of several you mention: relationships. It's where I find myself going when I hear sky-is-falling concerns about AI replacing teachers. AI can be responsive to a point -- but it lacks the ability to create real connections and relationships (don't let the movie "Her" convince you otherwise).
It's why I said a few weeks ago..."Still, I hope we never ask a bot to comfort a sad kid." Being responsive on the level you're discussing requires the ingredients you mention -- and it requires that you've invested in the number one tool (pedagogical, socio-emotional, human) for your tool belt: growing connections and relationships.
Have a great winter break.
https://beccakatz.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=1ji450
I agree! It's sort of a chicken-or-the-egg, too, I think: does the responsive classroom help foster relationships, or do the relationships make the classroom responsive? It's a both-and, I believe, and I appreciate you pointing it out.
I also think you're right that authentic responsiveness is something that matters even more in an AI moment where lots of other aspects of the classroom are attempted (key word: attempted) to be replicated—and this is something that we need to double-down on more than ever.