As a woman, the fitting room can be a very intimidating place! It is a time to try on something new. If quality and fit are a match, we often consider the purchase. The cost is also a noteworthy determinant of purchase, but often considered first, before even entering the fitting room. We also likely chose a store to shop in where we were prepared for and found in past experiences that the cost of items were within our comfort zone and budget.
Often times, I will try on a new style or color garment and find that I'm not ready for the cut, cost or new fashion. The same is also true sometimes of "older" apparel that I own. Originally, the garment or accessory worked and was a good fit, but for whatever reason, is no longer a match for me.
Many of the same connections are true in teaching. Sometimes, I'll try something new and find that it didn't work. The truth-telling three-way mirrors of self-reflection granted me the wisdom to know that either the lesson was not a good fit, made me uncomfortable, or was too great a cost. I sometimes never "try on" the method or lesson again, but most often I will modify or alter it, like clothing, so that the fit or style is more appropriate for me as the teacher or for my students- as the learners.
On the other end of the spectrum, I will occasionaly revive a lesson or practice
that worked (fit) from the past and find that it no longer fits either because I've changed, my students have changed, or the actual lesson has become tattered, stained, or is just too aged to use any more. Just like I could not wear the the clothes from when I was younger, such as, in high school, I could not use the teaching methods that my teachers used then. We must update our lessons, practices, policies and procedures almost as often as we must with our wardrobes. Sometimes, we can get away with an update and sometimes, we must "donate" the old practice to match the needs and "fashions" of the time.
Excellent points about updating lessons and making them better. It is like a wardrobe, sometimes it's time to throw out the old and bring in the new. I have switched subjects every year however, so I have been bringing in the new for 4 years now!
ReplyDeleteAs a woman, and a shopper, I have to say that these are great thoughts. How "new" do we want our new dress to be? Personally I always find it a very challenging task to do shopping. Often times i want the new clothes could match my already-owned ones and therefore make my spending as worthy as possible.
ReplyDeleteSame like learning, isn't? Learn some new knowledge, but often times not too far away from their prior knowledge, right?
Hmm, this thought can be extended all the way to Vygotsky's idea of "Zone of Proximity". Check it out if you are interested in this.
Gaoming
It's funny that you mentioned the dressing room in regards to lessons. I was watching "Movie and a Makeover" on TBS yesterday and it was all about how to shop at a thrift store. I didn't make the connection to teaching until just now (thanks for the connection!). They were talking about how clothing may not look quite right at first glance, but after we try things on and alter them, then they can be just the right fit. It's so interesting how well that applies to our lessons as well! What a great point you made!
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