Jacquie, Bonnie et al,<br><br>Everyone has a bias. It is not possible to not have a bias. When Bonnie says <br><br>"they could study their own lives, the media and consumerism that
surrounds them, and not believe that just because something is in print
(or on the Internet) makes it so. If they see their peers becoming
victimized by such manipulation, like the advertisements of a certain
phonics system on Hispanic tv, they will take action." <br><br>she is expressing her biases:that the students cannot judge things by themselves, that consumerism (however defined) is bad (compared to what alternative), that the phonics system advertized on Hispanic TV is bad or their ads misleading.<br>
<br>I once attended a one day seminar on "What it means to be Canadian" put on by the Centre for Dialogue" of Simon Fraser University here in Vancouver. <br><br>We were lectured to at the beginning by a student who warned the audience, half of whom were not students, not to try to convince people but to "dialogue". We were encouraged to scribble down our random thoughts on pieces of paper. At my table, 6 people, of varying origins (Greek, Israeli, German, Pakistani) myself and our student host talked about multiculturalism. Four of us said that it was a bad idea because it weakened our sense of Canadian solidarity. The gentleman from Pakistan read a poem in favour of multiculturalism. When it came for our student host to summarize the discussion, she said that we all agreed on how wonderful Canada's policy of official multiculturalism was- that was her "consensus"!<br>
<br>When I had a chance to chat with the student who lectured us on dialogue, he immediately accused my of being a bigot because I told him that most Canadians preferred to see immigrants assimilate, although it was, of course, up to them.<br>
<br>It was obvious that these students only ever heard one side of most arguments so I offered to go to the university to speak to their group. They agreed on condition that I would just sit around and dialogue and not make a presentation. I declined and they accepted my conditions.<br>
<br>University educated people, and especially university professors, are not more open-minded than humbler people. I hvae to go to dinner and will continue later.<br><br>Steve<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, Jul 13, 2008 at 4:29 PM, Taylor, Jackie <<a href="mailto:jataylor@utk.edu">jataylor@utk.edu</a>> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-US">
<div>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;">Hi Steve, (All)</span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;">You wrote:</span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">"Unfortunately, the recent trend in educational
circles seems to favour "dialoguing", whereby we pretend to agree
with whatever is said, and look for points that we have in common, and should
avoid trying to persuade anyone of one's point of view. This leads to a sterile
discussion. It only works if everyone actually does agree, or if contrary views
can be suppressed.."</span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;">I disagree with how you are
characterizing dialogue. Do you mean to equate dialogue with some type of
cooperation or consensus, or group think..? (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink</a>)
</span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;">I believe dialogue is about presenting
one's point of view, but then looking for meaning, suspending assumptions
(i.e. suspend as in to hold out assumptions and examine them), being open to
changing one's position… Dialogue and the knowledge constructed as
a result are greater than the sum of its parts and what is constructed is only
as rich as the diverse perspectives brought to the table. It depends on seeking
authentic meaning and a 'safe space' so that individuals feel comfortable
expressing their views (thus eliciting more diverse perspectives). It does
include finding common ground, but I see it as being more about constructing
new knowledge, attitudes, and the group dynamics needed for that construction. </span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;">And what does this have to do with
critical thinking and student involvement?</span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;">One uses critical thinking in dialogue.
What does "the other" mean by what she said? How is what I'm
saying reflected in the other's position? How is it not? How might I
understand the other better? What are the "right questions" I need
to ask in order to do that? All too often I think we are afraid to "ask
back" for fear of appearing somehow "less than" or as if one
might "not know" what the other means.</span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;">It also levels the playing field and the
instructor or facilitator is not perceived as "the expert" with all
the answers; both students and instructors have expertise to contribute. It
would be interesting, I think, to explore strategies for facilitating dialogue
vs. debate.</span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;">As always, I welcome others'
thoughts.</span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;">Best, Jackie</span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;">Jackie Taylor</span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: blue;"><a href="mailto:jataylor@utk.edu" title="mailto:jataylor@utk.edu" target="_blank">jataylor@utk.edu</a> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"> </span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<br>----------------------------------------------------<br>
National Institute for Literacy<br>
Adult Literacy Professional Development mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:professionaldevelopment@nifl.gov">professionaldevelopment@nifl.gov</a><br>
<br>
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to <a href="http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/professionaldevelopment" target="_blank">http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/professionaldevelopment</a><br>
<br>
Professional Development section of the Adult Literacy Education Wiki<br>
<a href="http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/Adult_Literacy_Professional_Development" target="_blank">http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/Adult_Literacy_Professional_Development</a><br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all">
<br>-- <br>Steve Kaufmann<br><a href="http://www.lingq.com">www.lingq.com</a><br>1-604-922-8514