Return-Path: <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id f3JD1Bg07042; Thu, 19 Apr 2001 09:01:11 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 09:01:11 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <004c01c0c8d0$d274da00$3ffa3ad0@oemcomputer> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Bonnie Odiorne" <bodiorne@c4k.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:3627] Re: Laura's Question X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2615.200 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 2227 Lines: 47 "Is Family Literacy an Art or A Science" reminds me of a discussion I had (way) back in my undergraduate days as part of pilot Independent Study program. The bone of contention then was around "social sciences". And it was boooring! But the issues remain the same. In order for work to be valid, there needs to be hard data to support both approaches and methodologies, but in reality, that simply translates out to "what works," or best practices. But the "art" comes in the creativity of the family dynamic, which is awesome when activated, and the compassion, empathy, and flexibility of the instructor/facilitator. The ability to react quickly and pull out best practices for a given situation or purpose is what turns science into art, as I believe any good scientist whose research-based yet intuitive hypothesis uncovers an new entire area of investigation would attest. Then outcomes, while quantifiable by any assessment rubric, formal or performance/portfolio that you wish to use, would become the representatives of peoples' behavior in a constantly changing dynamic interaction. And that, for me, is that unexpected pleasure when families, parents and children together, come up with their own unique approach to a seemingly simple project (such as the creation of a "family mascot"): that shiver of discovery when they begin to teach me. Bonnie Odiorne, Ph.D. Adult Education Program Facilitator Computers 4 Kids bodiorne@erols.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Sarah Beaman-Jones <sbeaman@webster.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 12:07 PM Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:3622] Re: Laura's Question > Is teaching an art or a science? > Is parenting an art or a science? > Is psychotherapy an art or a science? > The simple answer is they are both an art and a science. > When Meta asks about vituosos, I could nominate a few, including herself. > We are an evolving practice. The art is in the sensitive evolution; > the science allows us to share the successful practice. > -- > Sarah Beaman-Jones > Family Literacy Specialist > LIFT-Missouri > 500 Northwest Plaza, Suite 601 > St. Louis, MO 63047 > 1-800-729-4443 > http://lift-missouri.org >
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