Why Screams ?

Short Selections by Bob McGraw, Heather Straughan, Marcelle Boulanger, Paul Tarc, Jacob Rodenburg

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Bob McGraw
From my perspective Screams captures the feeling of frustration we experienced when asked to consider a different approach to learning and professional development. In many respects the traditional educational process can be compared to a series of well-defined hoops and at this level we are all quite good at getting through the hoops by satisfying the expectations of the instructor. But if the definition of learning requires a persistent change of behavior we have to wonder how effective our learning is in this traditional setting. How many times have we all completed a course with honors and then filed the materials away never to consider them again?

I think our collective voice expressed frustration as we waited impatiently for the hoops to appear in this course and it grew as we were instead asked to generate our own expectations. Although self exploration and reflection are central to this course I believe we were understandably uncomfortable with this dramatic shift from previous experience. From my vantage point a transition occurred at around the midpoint of the course as we began to feel safe with the process. The transition was not without s ome turbulence but ultimately things seemed to flow and the group came together. After all is said and done I hope the experience has been as good for others as it has been for me and that we have the opportunity to scream together again.

 

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By Heather Straughan
For me, the title "Screams of Experience" represents trying to please everyone, and meet personal obligations, while at the same time dealing with a lack of communication, resulting in too many things to do with too little time!

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By Marcelle Boulanger
Teachers screaming on the inside:
screaming at administrators
who don't understand,
screaming at teachers who don't
want to take charge,
screaming at the schedules that
evaporate before our eyes,
screaming at parents
who don't want change,
screaming at politicians
who want too much change,
screaming for the children
because we can't give them what they need

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By Paul Tarc
I scream against a system that has silenced us all into being passive, dependent learners. I hope that our students will scream sooner and louder.

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By Jacob Rodenburg
I scream against those who think that technology is a panacea for all the world's ills.