Beginning CE 505 & 506

I began reading Mary Hess Engaging Technology in Theological Education. I must admit I am a bit envious of her perspective. Her use of Parker Palmer's model for constructivist education, as with others, seems a bit naïve. Not that that the model is wrong, but the teaching process seems to require more. Hess is teaching at a seminary, which means that the people she is teaching have paid good money to hear her, and a majority have done at least some work in the same area. If nothing else, they have received a BA in something, so they have a basic level of competency.

Her students and readers, on the other hand, are far more likely to be dealing in much more random environments. So their pupils may or may not have any previous experience with the particular topic of the day. So prior to hearing their thoughts on a particular subject, you have to somehow provide them with a way to see the truth. I am not arguing for a return to the objectivist model, but perhaps we need to develop some sort of hybrid model with an eye to guiding or directing students as they move toward Subject/Object.

What I’m trying to say is that the constructivist model assumes that the subject is known. Everyone gathered is a knower. That is not necessarily correct. Under that particular model, a non-knower is unable to be engaged in learning, which is certainly not correct.