| Theory and Practice Sept. 09 |
| I believe that theory and practice are really two sides of the same coin. They are clearly not one and the same, however. Theory is a representation of what we want to achieve, why we want to achieve it, and how it can be achieved. Practice is what we actually do in order to bring about our goals. Theory is abstract, and practice is its realization. Despite this distinction, theory and practice inform one another. That theory informs our practice is clear: our ideas about education determine the kinds of settings we provide in the classroom. Not quite as obvious is that practice informs theory. Our experiences in applications of theory will cause us to adjust and sometimes discard theory. Theory and practice are tied together in a way that should give every teacher pause. What occurs in the classroom is necessarily a reflection of our theory. A teacher may do something that had no basis in his/her theory. Occurences of this sort will cumulatively alter the theoretical approach of a teacher although the teacher may not be aware of it. For example, if a teacher often has the class do something fun and/or relaxing between long activities, that use of diversion is a part of the teacher's theory. We can see this by imagining the thoughts of the impartial observer of this teacher's classes. If the observer sees the teacher doing the same thing in several lessons, that observer will come to see that thing as an application of some part of the teacher's theory. To extend the idea, it is possible for a teacher to undertake many activities running contrary to his/her supposed theory. What would be the sense of regarding this theory as anything more than a self-delusion on the part of the teacher? |