"We as educators should be envious of the intensity of observation and imagination associated with students' fascination with fashion. If only our own teaching could be as engaging. We may also wish that our teaching transformed the students' world as much as the experience of fashion seems to" (Wong & Hendricksen, 2008).
Fashion is such that, though cyclical, it is one that engages, and impact society and culture in a way that makes a statement globally. From crop tops, to jean suits; from jumpsuits, to skinny jeans, fashion is a topic, a statement, and -an activity, each and everyone partakes in. There is no person, big or small, who is not affected by fashion. If only lessons or teaching was as engaging as fashion, or the idea of fashion. "What if ideas - substance of school - were fashion?" We discuss how the phenomenon of fashion can be a framework for thinking about teaching and learning" (Wong & Hendricksen, 2008).
The notion of ideas being fashion is to be incorporated in the classroom, I can't but think back to play based learning and more so the incorporation of art, music, dance, and drama in education. As an avid fashion conscious individual myself, I have come to understand that fashion is influenced by music, art, dance and some element of drama. and as these are determinants in fashion; why do we not incorporate these in the classroom as well to engage our students?
Art is symbolic of visual representation of learning; be it showing an expression, thought, emotion, or idea. Drama is symbolic of expression through use of the body, props, and or voice. Dance is symbolic of the use of movement to demonstrate an emotion, thought, or idea; while music is an expression or understanding made through the use of instrumentals and or voice.
Enabling students to express themselves in different ways, in the same way that they do with fashion, will enable them to engage in their learning, as well as direct their own learning as well in a manner that is most relevant and understandable to them. If ideas were fashion, students would direct their learning, they would express their understanding in ways that they are best able to share, they would be encouraged to try new styles, explore new avenues, and learn with an understanding that takes into consideration their interests.
However, with the current style of teaching that seems to be practiced in most schools; there is a lack of engagement with most students as they are not able to see the relevance between their learning and their world or life. Methods and methodologies that does cater to the learning styles of students is not one that fosters a positive learning environment wherein students wish to learn.
If ideas WERE fashion within the classroom however, students will be engaged, invested, expressive, as well as directors of their learning, with the teacher acting as a guide or facilitator. Isn't this how education in the 21st century should be?
References:
Wong, D. & Hendricksen, D. (2008). If ideas WERE fashion. Mirror Images. Silberman-Keller, D. et al, Eds. pp. 179-198. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/stable/pdf/42979228.pdf?acceptTC=true
The notion of ideas being fashion is to be incorporated in the classroom, I can't but think back to play based learning and more so the incorporation of art, music, dance, and drama in education. As an avid fashion conscious individual myself, I have come to understand that fashion is influenced by music, art, dance and some element of drama. and as these are determinants in fashion; why do we not incorporate these in the classroom as well to engage our students?
Art is symbolic of visual representation of learning; be it showing an expression, thought, emotion, or idea. Drama is symbolic of expression through use of the body, props, and or voice. Dance is symbolic of the use of movement to demonstrate an emotion, thought, or idea; while music is an expression or understanding made through the use of instrumentals and or voice.
Enabling students to express themselves in different ways, in the same way that they do with fashion, will enable them to engage in their learning, as well as direct their own learning as well in a manner that is most relevant and understandable to them. If ideas were fashion, students would direct their learning, they would express their understanding in ways that they are best able to share, they would be encouraged to try new styles, explore new avenues, and learn with an understanding that takes into consideration their interests.
However, with the current style of teaching that seems to be practiced in most schools; there is a lack of engagement with most students as they are not able to see the relevance between their learning and their world or life. Methods and methodologies that does cater to the learning styles of students is not one that fosters a positive learning environment wherein students wish to learn.
If ideas WERE fashion within the classroom however, students will be engaged, invested, expressive, as well as directors of their learning, with the teacher acting as a guide or facilitator. Isn't this how education in the 21st century should be?
References:
Wong, D. & Hendricksen, D. (2008). If ideas WERE fashion. Mirror Images. Silberman-Keller, D. et al, Eds. pp. 179-198. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/stable/pdf/42979228.pdf?acceptTC=true