I gave my digital history class a "pep talk" at the end of last week to address the concerns some of them had about feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about exactly what I wanted them to do this semester.
I explained that I wanted them to be uncertain, that I wanted them to be shaken out of their normal writing and researching experience, that it was in those conditions that they were most likely to learn. However, I explained that I wanted them to not be so overwhelmed that they felt like they couldn't do anything. I told them I wanted them to be "uncomfortable, but not paralyzed." It sounded funny after I said it (no faculty quote t-shirts, please) but it's a good summary of the environment I hope to create in this class. [Though comfortable is the ultimate goal.]
It came up again today in class as the students looked blankly when they were asked if they had any questions. So I asked, "uncomfortable or paralyzed?" They laughed and we moved forward.
I'm still concerned that some people are closer to paralyzed than uncomfortable, but I think they're willing to ask questions when they're stuck.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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3 comments:
Wow, two posts in one month! Is this the beginning of more blogging from you? One could hope.
Right now some people might be closer to paralyzed than uncomfortable, but I think as the semester continues as we get more adventurous people will be more comfortable into venturing into the unknown.
I'm also contemplating creating t-shirts for this class and "Uncomfortable, but not paralyzed" is definitely going on it. : )
It definitely sounds like a productive conversation is underway.
I always like to run with the idea and model of 'play' as a means to pitch (read: ditch) rote models of the classroom task or a routine that has fallen into the rut of the overly-familiar.
Play offers a 'curious interplay between order and disorder' (Henricks 2006: 14) that makes for a very productive scene. It invokes both individual and cooperative effort, experimentation, and an embrace of a venture into the unknown. Chaos can be constructive... and a joy.
I'm currently hanging in limbo between the two, but I think, like Shannon said, I'll get much closer to uncomfortable by the end of the semester. Hey, maybe I'll even hit that "comfortable" mark.
I feel as though this could be one of the greatest running jokes the history department has ever seen.
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