As educators we are always changing, learning and growing, and with that changing and growing evolves our pedagogy. In the article The Pedagogy of Imperfection, the authors argue that the perfect pedagogy is merely a figment, and in reality, we are rarely perfect. Being imperfect is part of the teaching process from start to finish. Included in that imperfection is the willingness to take risks. It’s true that that when you try a new technology, it might not work the way you planned, but never trying denies students of potential learning experiences.
Beyond accepting imperfections within ourselves as educators, we also need to accept the imperfections of our students. The authors note the importance of allowing students to be imperfect in the classroom, to allow them multiple attempts on an assignment or give them the freedom to play around with a technology that is being used in a course. It’s important to help students grow, not just in that one course, but grow in the sense that they will be able to take the strategies they're learning and apply them throughout their lives.
The article’s main takeaway is that we are all lifelong learners and that part of being a lifelong learner is accepting imperfections. Yes, even we educators are lifelong learners, and it is important that we embrace this, especially in our teaching.
Below is an infographic with tips on where you can be taking risks in Isidore.
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