Sunday, September 5, 2010
Socratic Circle Analysis
The Socratic Circle provided our AP Literature class with a unique opportunity that allowed me to expand my ideas and thought process in ways that I hadn't before. The topic of a "fair" or at least unbiased textbook particularly caught my attention. I believe that to alter what history that has been recorded and is now common knowledge would be a huge undertaking that may not be successful. However, we do have the opportunity to learn from our mistakes.Our time would be better devoted to making sure that future generations have the opportunity to learn about all sides of history, even those events that may put the U.S. in a bad light. In order to do this, an unbiased textbook would be essential. How do we create an unbiased textbook? Just like any scientific process, this creation would need to undergo lots of editing and revision, and may never be perfect. But who wants to go to sleep at night knowing that they allowed a few self-righteous individuals on a school board decide for the nation what the next generation will know as the truth? In order to insure that all sides are represented, I believe that a large public forum should be established following events in history (maybe a year after the event so that tempers may cool down some) and individuals can have the opportunity to share their ideas of what occurred. Any event may be written about, no matter how seemingly insignificant, but at least two sides would need to be presented for it to be reviewed. This opportunity to write and submit data would need to be available to all social classes, races, etc., so drop off locations for written ideas would need to be established. Then, a specially elected part of the government (whose members serve only a short period of time, so no biases are developed) would review the material and record the information without a certain point to view. Although news channels, newspapers, etc. will have already presented the news in a certain light, at least the textbooks would be less opinionated. Although history books may be not as exciting, the public could be assured that they included as factual information as possible. The public would also have the opportunity to read any other form of material regarding these events that may be written, and recieve biased information elsewhere, if they so desire. Children would then have the best chance possible to form their own opinion about history, although nothing can really stop outside influences such as teachers and parents from slanting what they teach. Howver, at least history would be protected for future generations to judge, for how can we learn from our mistakes if, according to "history," we didn't make any?
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I really enjoyed reading you blog. You used some pretty good examples during class to make your point too. I agreed with what you had to say about how it would be possible to create an 'unbiased textbook'. Your statement about news channels (media) and how the public receives information is not always accurate-that's why so many people read more than one newspaper or watched more than one news channel and etc. The question at the end really stands out apart from the rest (I had a hard time trying to come and think of an answer) and it made sense to question history itself, since there is always room to redefine or reconsider its boundaries. Without boundaries, we would have never learned about events that did not pertain to the US in a direct way.
ReplyDeleteCarlie I like your ideas about an unbiased textbook. I also believe that it could possibly be done but it would just take a lot of editing and time. I liked your idea on how to make sure all point of views are included in history. I felt that it was a very good idea and that it would be wonderful if it was to gain acceptance and started being used to create the history books. If it was, more people's voices and stories could be heard which would help other people learn about all the different cultures and events that take place in the world. This would also help people hear the other sides of events that took place in history.
ReplyDeleteHey Carlie I must say I really enjoyed reading your blog because it really got me thinking. I love your idea about an unbiased textbook; and how collaboration is essential. When I went about reading it your idea of an unbiased textbook reminded me about the concept of Wikipedia; where anyone can edit and share their beliefs and opinions. I know teachers say "wiki is icky" but in actuality it may not be such a bad thing after all. Adding to your idea about an unbiased textbook I also want to point out that bias does not stop at the textbook; it's still ultimately the teacher's decision to add bias to the lecture or not. And I think this is where critical thinking from students comes in; something we discussed in class. Not only do students need to read the text, but they also need to analyze the text and put their own reasoning and rationality behind it.
ReplyDeleteI like this new idea of non-vocal idea sharing, it gives us all a chance to read another point of view of the same subject. it also forces me personally to think before i say because...well...i'm typing it. but what i would like to say about your opinion on the socratic circle is that we aren't changing history, were just going to have kids learn different things in history than we necessarily did. in my personal opinion, they're not changing any history at all, their just telling a different side to avoid the fear of only having a "single story." i believe we only believe they're being unfair is because we were only taught a "single story."
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