RECAST | We’re On Our Way! A note from the Commons Faculty Scholar, Joli Sandoz
May I say how fortunate I feel to be part of Evergreen’s community of educators, especially in the midst of COVID-19? Here’s why:
And here’s evidence for this claim that collectively Evergreen staff and faculty – educators all – have already begun practicing generative emergence:
- The questions raised by folks about how to support online learning and learners experientially, inclusively, and collaboratively. Many, many of these questions have demonstrated awareness of our students’ situations, and concern regarding how best to scaffold their learning.
- Link lists being shared on Evergreen DLs directing us to resources and people here and elsewhere who are dealing with similar big changes in prompting and facilitating learning.
- The very practical (and helpful) “Keep Teaching” short workshops created and facilitated within the week by Julia Metzker, Elizabeth Williamson, and the rest of the “Keep Teaching” Team.
- Concerns voiced about the communities surrounding Evergreen, and how we might mesh student course and program work with humanitarian efforts such as food distribution.
- Staff and faculty coming together rapidly and collaboratively to design longer “Keep Teaching” Institutes, to support moving to learning remotely. Details to come!
Finally, three quick ideas from resilience research that may provide guidance as we move ahead:
- One definition of social resilience, borrowed from the Glasgow (Scotland) Centre for Population Health, reads: “Resilience is when the world and activity within it remain understandable, manageable and meaningful despite changed circumstances” (6). Relationships – and especially equitable relationships – are the key to both individual and community resilience. Equity and openness to diversity of background, experience, and thinking are at the center of successful resilience efforts.
- Communal efficacy: The belief shared by a group of people, that they – we – CAN achieve what we need to achieve.
- Self-care matters.
You know where I am: sandozj@evergreen.edu. If you want to collaborate on a syllabus or assignment, or “just want to talk to another teacher” – something I hear often in my role with the Learning and Teaching Commons – please be in touch. Email is the best way to start a conversation!
Looking forward, Joli
Image adapted from: Campbell, Kelvin. Making Massive Small Change. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2018, 66.
Based in Hock, Dee. The Birth of the Chaordic Age. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2000.
Joli Sandoz, M.F.A., M.A., M.A.
she/her pronouns
Faculty Scholar in the Learning and Teaching Commons @ The Washington Center
Member of the Faculty
The Evergreen State College
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The Evergreen Learning and Teaching Commons
~ a project of the Washington Center for Improving Undergraduate Education
wacenter.evergreen.edu/commons
learningandteaching@evergreen.edu | @wacenterTESC | 360-867-6611
