Learning Without Limits: Perspectives on Participatory Pedagogy

Co-Presenters

Kristen Armstrong, Michelle Barnard, Wendy Fennema, Kim Henrie, Christine McGeachy, Nicola Simmons, Nancy Stewart and Sandra VanderKaay

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“You will be actively involved in shaping the course. Topics will reflect areas participants wish to explore; readings will be chosen by participants as well as the instructor.

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Each topic is expected to serve three purposes:

1. to enhance our own professional development,
2. to contribute to the professional development of others in the group, and
3. to contribute to our understandings of theoretical frameworks and perspectives about professional development.” (Simmons, course syllabus)

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“Death to the Syllabus”

The process of the course was reflected in George Siemens’ (2008) statement about participatory pedagogy: �

A participatory pedagogy is one that does not fully define all curricular needs in advance of interacting with learners. Learners are able to contribute to existing curricula....Multiple perspectives, opinions, and active creation on the part of learners all contribute to the final content of the learner experience (n.p.).

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RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Thinking back to "Exploring Approaches to Professional Development," what were the strengths of the course that you experienced? Explain if these strengths have been incorporated into your professional practice and/or personal perspectives, and if so how? ��2. What were the challenges that you experienced and what are your learnings/reflections about these challenges?��3. Are there any class activities/discussions that stand out in your mind? If so, explain, giving reasons why they are memorable.��4. Thinking back to the final project, what impact did it have then and what impact, if any, does it continue to have? ��5. What advice would you give to educators considering trying a similar format of course?

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6. Are there any other thoughts that you would like to share?��

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Activity

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“What theme or themes do you feel have emerged from the quotes that you have been given?”

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“What conclusions can you draw?”

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Collaborative Context

Present Transformative

Learning

Future Transformative

Learning

Co-Learning

On the

Meta Reflective Level

REFERENCES

Siemens, G. (2008). New structures and spaces of learning: The systemic impact of connective knowledge, connectivism, and networked learning. Paper Presented for Universidade do Minho, Encontro sobre Web 2.0, Braga, Portugal, October 10. Available online at http://elearnspace.org/Articles/systemic_impact.htm

Simmons, N. (2009). Exploring approaches to professional development. 5P84 unpublished course syllabus, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario.

Singham, M. (2007). Death to the syllabus. Liberal Education, (pp. 52-56).

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Thank You