Week 9 March 15-21

In this weeks readings I enjoyed learinging more about agency, reflection, collaboration, and culture. In chapters 1-3 I felt that Bruner used these words but just in breif glimpses while trying to explain some deeper topic such as all the tenets of education. I thought it was interesting on pages 92-93 when Bruner stated that agency and collaboration need to be treated together, basically one drives and explains the other and vise versa, this reminded me of his use of "spiraling" in chapter 6... Did anyone else see a correlation between these topics?

Another main idea I  picked up on in the reading this week was the differences between explaining and interpreting. Before reading Bruner's perspective I would have said that these terms were synonyms but after reading I can see a very distinct difference. Bruner states, "although there is a link between explaining and interpreting...the two modes of making sense cannot be reduced to each other." (Pg. 101).  I believe that once again Bruner's "spiraling" could be seen in the interaction between explaining and interperating. To me Bruner is saying that interpretation is understanding the minds of others and oneself. How to know what someone is feeling or thinking based off of indicators other than being told what the person is going through. Where as explaining is after the interpertation has been made and then the child can truly show or explain to others what took place and how the individuals "feel" or what drove them to the actions they took. Does everyone else see the relationship between explaining and interpreting by Bruner's perspective similar as I do? Did anyone see it differently?

One last thought... I found the further discussion of narrative fascinating especially how Bruner explained that narrative takes a problem and that "trouble" is a feature start for narrative because trouble gives a "problem" (pg 99).  I have never thought of there having to be trouble/a problem for narrative to take place but after reading this chapter I have been listening to my own children's narrative this week and I am amazed that each personal or retold story begins with a major "problem"!

What stood out to you this week besides the ideas presented above?

Week 7 March 1 - March 8

From the Brune's view of teaching, learning and knowing part 1 (chapters 1, 2 y 3) I am intrigue that  in the second essay Folk Pedagogy he brings in the idea that teachers do no always approach teaching and learning effectively. Teachers (and students) bring with them to the classroom pre-conceived ideas of how learning happens, explained in part by install cultural beliefs about how the mind works. Bruner outlines four models of the mind based on pre-conceived ideas, and the related education goals of each. To my understanding Bruner is sugesting that by examining and evaluating each carefully, we are then able to rethink our approach to education. What do you think? Am I in the right track?