Acknowledging Isolation
I have been thinking about the concept of isolation a lot this week in different ways and how some pedagogical choices can cause different kinds of isolation. But also how systemic pressures can also lead to isolation. And again how isolation often functions as the opposite of relationality. So this week's blog is going to be a bit of a reflection on the role of isolation in pedagogy and where it can pop up in ways we may or may not intend and the impact it can have on learning, learners, and teaching teams. So an obvious place to think about isolation pedagogically is what happens in testing situations. That we want learners isolated from each other, you know in case knowledge seeps from one person to another. I think of those large gymnasiums with rows and rows of desks and chairs. Cold, isolated, not the kind of vibe that says learning is happening, and yet this is what we have deeply become used to. Now with AI more of these testing situations are happening, more isolation, no ...