The Problem of Common Sense
How does Kumashiro define ‘common sense’?
Kumashiro defines ‘common sense’ in the perspective of many different people, as well as keeping an open mind to the knowledge that others shared with him between the United States ways of learning and Nepals. Common sense, according to Kumashiro is defined as the following: the idea of what schools are supposed to look like, how schools could be rather than how they should be, what is the right way to teach versus what people believe to be the ‘wrong way’ to teach and how this can affect a new teacher when entering the classroom and wanting to introduce a new approach to teaching and learning. By adding new ideas, approaches, and skills into a classroom more knowledge can be shared and absorbed over time. Do not think of how a classroom should be, think of what they could be with the approach of change. Incorporating new ideas from different cultures is a necessity to change and the understanding of each other. Kumashiro speaks about the basic understanding of human nature and how there is no right way to do things, only different interpretations of learning within the classroom in different cultures.
Why is it so important to pay attention to the ‘common sense’?
Paying attention to the ‘common sense’ is important to understand as it can lead you to be successful. For example, if a student from Canada went to Nepal to study they would have a shock when it came to the learning environment. The student would not understand why they could not sit wherever they please, that large amounts of homework expected from them daily, speaking to the teacher and other students during class time was unexceptable, and being hit was a natural form of punishment within the classroom. The shock within the classroom would also be noticeable if they roles were reversed with a student from Nepal coming to Canada. Speaking to the people around you to express opinions and ideas is encouraged, hitting is not an acceptable form of punishment nor is it tolerated, and you may sit wherever you please or where seats are available. It is important to pay attention to the common sense to understand your environment and what is expected of you to be successful.
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