final reflection

Now that class is over, I have to really think about what I am taking away. When ever it comes to classes that shake up my foundation for thinking about core concepts, like identity, race, education, learning, and all the other things our class talked about, Im not aware of how much Ive changed. The realization normally comes when I talk with people about the subject and I realize I well versed and critical of other peoples ideas. To start, I might say that when I take classes like Cultures of Learning, my foundational experiences, which everything else are based on, are altered and shake up my further experience shaping.
Up to this class, I've been conscious of how an education's curriculum and pedagogy (even though I didn't know what the word meant) shape the individual involved. I had never thought about it, but my high school, middle school, and elementary school experiences dont significantly stand out. I remember that I didnt have to do homework because I would normally finish it in class. I also remember that I only remembered something when someone older than me liked something, in which case I followed suit and figured out why that person liked it. As a result of the insignificance of my pre-college education, I think I never seriously considered the importance of curriculum or pedagogy.
Considering this class and the wealth of readings we were able to read and discuss, there are a plethora dimensions of learning that I am now able to articulate. The obvious thing to me is also that there are still ideas I dont fully understand, mostly related to being able to articulate the relations of power between individuals and how/if any to improve the educational system. I feel like I am justified stating that improving schools to entrust students with the freedom to direct their education can have a positive effect. While its not so easy and also doesnt need to be as extreme as the Albany Free School, the importance for students to learn to learn is more important than knowing something factual and unimportant.
If I pick out some of my favorite readings, I dont know where I would start. The readings that stood out most, in memory and concept are those which I had to think about. I felt like I understand the ideas behind Vygotsky and his intended/unintended social learning. I enjoyed the readings doing a sociological/anthropological study of the low income schools. Maybe because it was very recent and fresher than Pierce, Freire, Ranciere and the others (it even took me a second to remember their names), I thought the ability to apply the theory we studied through existing studies helped me with my own means of studying my final project.
My favorite part of this class was the visits to the Farm School. Seeing the children in their prime, playing at lunch time, crawling under desks in the classroom, and drawing what ever comes to their mind. The Farm School classroom makes me feel like trusting people to explore their own learning, with the necessary guidance, can create an amazing generation of people. One thing that stood out was the fact that some kids would go to other schools for special education subjects. I don't know what these subjects were, but it reminds me that the Farm School develops the person, but still lacks some of the technical learning opportunities.
This brings me back to the topic of utilizing what Ive learned in this class to a math/science field. I already feel like the process of inquiry and collaboration is changed when people realize that they are learning for the sake of learning how to learn the concepts, rather then factual memorization.
This class is about the culture of learning. I feel like the culture that is most supportive of learning is that which recognizes a person humaness. It is a culture that, while recognizes a persons reality (environmental conditions, personal maturation, restrictions) continues to encourage a student to do more than they thought they were capable of. The culture of learning is found anywhere. A classroom, a dinner table, and workplace, and most likely in solitude.
Hmmm. More of a reflection than anything : )