I
have already started too really like the idea of how we don't have to sit in a
boring classroom and read a book then simply write about it! I love the idea
that instead of the old fashion way, we are creating our own unique way of
writing. So what is my question you may ask? Well for my classmates and my
Instructor, shouldn't this be how all college writing classes be like? How did
we stumble upon learning/teaching in this manner? I do not know how famous this
style of teaching is, but if it is not that popular are we on to the future of
how we may teach? At least for me this beats writing with a pencil for an hour
in a classroom while absolutely no one is talking! We are able to
express our feelings even after we leave the class room and not just being limited
to what we are thinking about at 8:00 am and for me that is “Why did I stay up
so late”. Sometimes people need a new environment to create new ideas and
staying in the same class room for a whole semester hour after hour, it just
ends up hurting us.
Actually Steven, this type of teaching is more and more common. In fact, one of my favorite books is called Writing Without Teachers, by Peter Elbow, and it was published in 1973! Of course, I do believe in instruction, and both my Masters and Doctorate degrees are in a field devoted to good instruction. I'm a big fan of trusting students, providing structure, and seeing how it goes, offering insights and advice, where needed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this thoughtful (and, frankly, encouraging) post!