RIC FNED 346 Fall 2019

Empowering Education Critical Teaching for Social Change In the text Empowering Education: Critical Teaching for Social Change, by Ira Shor, argues that the classroom and educational setting should not solely be centered around the teacher. The author argues that students should be able to have a voice in their education and be able to question the material that they are learning. She believes that the classroom should allow for negotiation between the teacher and the student, in which she states that there should be "a reciprocal relationship between teachers and students, where respect for the teacher coexisted with cooperative and student-centered pedagogy" (Shor 12). In the text Shor repeatedly states that students should be able to critically think about their education and schooling. Shor includes a quote from another author Banks that states, "a curriculum designed to empower students must be transformative in nature and help students to develop the kno

The Blind Poet This week I attended the diversity event called "The Blind Poet". Dave Steele has recently, within the last six years, lost most of his vision due to a hereditary disorder called Retinitis Pigmentosa or R.P. for short. He was able to come to Rhode Island College because one parent has a daughter who is gradually losing her sight and hearing and connected with Steele Facebook asking if he would come to the college during his United States branch of his tour. Along with him Steele brought Barry Asmen, who is a vision specialist in Baltimore and is currently helping Steele travel during his tour. Asmen works for his family's practice and stated that there mission was to improve (those who lose their vision) their quality of life and ensure that they are included. Asmen's goal is to educate the public more about sight loss, because a lack of education has led to patients having less options and resources to benefit them in their everyday life.  Dave St