blind persons and the elephant
Jim Laffey (cilaffey@showme.missouri.edu)
Thu, 27 Mar 1997 15:30:19 -0600
Everyone has heard the story of the blind persons and the elephant with
each describing the elephant as something different based on what parts
each is able to touch. After reading the posts so far, which have been
very insightful and interesting, i'm wondering if we are suffering from
the same phenomena. Is the technical training to do a web page, the
inclusion in an email group, the transformation from a presenter to a
coach, the developemnt of attitudes and skills to be a life-long
learner, etc. etc..... all part of the same formulation.
Of course in the life of a teacher these all are part of the tapestry,
but we may need to organize our thoughts if we are to make sense of our
discussion.
Perhaps the tower of Babel is a better metaphor for my being ill-at-ease
with the discussion. I suggest our discussion of professional
development should be focused by the need for systemic change and the
need to change the whole school not just a particular exercise in a
grade-level's curriculum or even of a particular teacher.
What does professional development mean when we care about the education
of the whole child over their whole curriculum? When we ask this
question we see the need for a teacher who works as part of a team and
staff, and is a part of a community, and who uses tools for problem
solving and inquiry.
Jim Laffey