[NIFL-AALPD:863] Re: experiential learning

From: bodman@ucc.edu
Date: Mon Dec 08 2003 - 22:28:40 EST


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From: bodman@ucc.edu
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Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:863] Re: experiential learning
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Well, let me clarify my thinking by writing off the cuff here...I believe
that administrators come in various "flavors!"  It has been my experience
that sometimes in adult education administrators are appointed to positions
for their administrative abilities--not for their knowledge of the
discipline they are supervising.  Some may know little about ESL or adult
education.  Others may have been promoted because they have been outstanding
practitioners; they  may have little administrative training.  Some may be
appointed just before their retirements as a kind of "thank-you" for years
of service in teaching children in the public schools.  There are many other
possibilities.  Perhaps you can contribute some more "types."

Each type of administrator has a vision of the job and what he or she wishes
to accomplish in it.  Outstanding practitioners can be very interested in
innovation and creativity; they have often been creative in their own
teaching.  Career administrators often become fascinated with the
disciplines they are supervising.  This can happen if they spend time in the
classrooms of exemplary master teachers or if they put themselves in the
position of a learner under the tutelage of a stimulating young teacher.  

Both teachers and administrators can burn out or lose interest in their job.
That is to say, teachers need to work on motivating their administrators as
much as administrators need to spend time motivating and stimulating their
teachers.  

I don't know whether creativity can be taught or not.  It seems to me that
it can be encouraged and/or unleashed.  Creativity comes from curiosity,
from trying to be creative.  It also needs a safe and rewarding environment
in which to flourish.

Jean Bodman
Union County College
bodman@ucc.edu
Work: 908-965-6096
Home: 609-695-6567


-----Original Message-----
From: Eileen Eckert [mailto:eileeneckert@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 5:20 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:862] Re: experiential learning


Jean, you mention that when administrators have bad learning experiences 
with languages, they lose respect for the language teachers they supervise. 
Jackie, you mentioned using theater work to inform PD practice. I'd like to 
read more about how the physical and emotional experiences of conventional 
learning and learning "outside the box" inform adult ed and PD. What helps 
us get beyond the limitations of current models and definitions to think and

act more creatively?

Eileen


From: bodman@ucc.edu
Reply-To: nifl-aalpd@nifl.gov
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:861] Re: experiential learning
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 17:04:11 -0500 (EST)

It definitely needs to be renewed and there needs to be some careful
consideration of the language learning experience.  Some of my colleagues
have learned other languages, but their experiences were long ago and
horrible!  Administrators who are subjected to unhappy experiences will lose
respect for the language teachers they supervise.  Let's make sure they get
a wonderful learning experience so they will be enthused about the classes
and teachers they have.

Jean Bodman
Union County College
bodman@ucc.edu
Work: 908-965-6096
Home: 609-695-6567

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