Paideia Practice

Like an artist, a teacher continues to develop new styles, methods, tools, and frameworks which will help their students understand and attain the concepts which he or she is trying to convey. In the following reflection I will be describing in my own words what is the “Paideia Practice”?

The “Paideia Practice” is the art of teaching which elevates, exerts, creates, and mediates a desired experience and method to effectively furnish knowledge to students. Simply transmitting information either through verbal or scriptural means is not the only and effective way of educating the populace. Educationalists have a responsibility to nurture a teaching and learning environment which will enhances and provoke students to extend beyond their passive learning experience and attain the desired results. Merely lecturing through a course study may show limited teaching efficiency and can discourage students in their journey through their educational career.

Educators who are effective in developing the “Paideia Practice” involve questioning, dialogue, participation and in some cases, extra-curriculum activities in their course outlines. Many modern day teachers will introduce a film, piece of art, pictures, music, poetry and other forms of stimuli which help cultivate an effective learning environment for students. Being knowledgeable of the diverse learning style of each student is vital in preparing and developing lessons plans that address the special needs of each student.

Fashioning and assembling lesson plans takes critical, creative thinking and careful attention. It is important for educators to understand their own lesson plans before presenting it to their students in order to make adjustments and remove content which may be confusing and negatively impactful. Stimulating memory, recitation, integration, and critical thinking concepts may empower students to stretch beyond their own paradigms and strengthen their intrapersonal and interpersonal communication skills.

In conclusion, with the current movement of diverse populations inundating the American school system it is becoming more challenging and exciting for future teachers to create a lesson plan which embodies a multicultural theme. It is important that we do not allow for the assimilative process to take root in the “Paideia Process” of developing unbiased and effective lessons plans which will prepare our future students. Like any other concept, idea, or movement which continues to evolve it is going to be interesting to see how colorful classrooms will become and how educators address and prepare to answer the principles of the “Paideia Practice”.