October 97 Letter to Maricopa Faculty
October 97 Letter to Maricopa Faculty
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American Council on Education (ACE) Project Members Bob Bendotti, PVCC Bill Crawford, MCC Manny Griego, GC Toni Rodriguez, GWCC Andy Bernal, GWCC Donna Tannehill, RSC Andrea Greene, MCC Alfredo G. de los Santos Jr., DIST Jackie Moran, DIST Jerrilee Mosier, DIST Naomi Story. DIST Paul A. Elsner Chancellor Family of Colleges Chandler-Gilbert Estrella Mountain GateWay Glendale Mesa Paradise Valley Phoenix College Rio Salado Scottsdale South Mountain Maricopa Skill Center Southwest Skill Center |
Dear Maricopa Colleague, Every faculty member in the Maricopa District understands that what they are about is learning. The relationship between teaching and learning is a given in an organization committed to quality teaching. So, why discuss learning? Because the sad truth is that good teaching does not always translate into student learning. And, an organization designed to promote instruction may unintentionally stifle the learning process. Conscientious faculty know that in every classroom there are students that the system has passed their way who lack the ability to understand, apply or transfer knowledge. In addition, every administrator or faculty member has been frustrated at some time by a traditional educational system that limits activities which are learner-centered and/or learner-controlled. Why discuss learning? Because the Maricopa organization has reached the point where the means, teaching, has become more important than the end product, learning. In 1994, the Maricopa Round Table Group drafted a "Desired Learning Paradigm" for the Maricopa District. When this draft was introduced to the Instructional Councils for review in the fall of 1996, feedback indicated a strong desire to continue the dialogue on learning in the Maricopa District. To this end we invite you to participate in the first Open Space Technology Meeting on Learning in the Maricopa District. This meeting will occur on November 14th from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the South Mountain Community College Student Union. The open space technology is a small-group format that, despite its name, does not involve the use of technology. Instead, it is a unique interactive technique designed to permit each participant to be truly heard as they engage in constructive dialogue. As a starting point for discussion, we introduce the document, learning@maricopa.edu. Iearning@maricopa.edu does not introduce a new paradigm, but is instead offered as a catalyst to further discussion on learning and what is required to make Maricopa a learning-centered organization. So, again, why discuss learning? Because the learner is not a mere "receptacle" of knowledge, but rather a person who creates his or her own learning actively and uniquely. And, unless our organization can develop so that learning is placed first in every policy, program and practice in the Maricopa District, faculty and administrators will be hindered from designing learning methods and environments that produce students who are capable of independent, life-long learning. Whether you participated in the Fall 96 meeting called by Dr. de los Santos to discuss the Maricopa Learning Paradigm, or you are a newcomer to the dialogue, give this meeting the highest priority on your busy schedule. Bring with you specific topics regarding learning that you would like to discuss. Examples of such topics are offered at the end of learning@maricopa.edu. Join us in discussion as we seek to rediscover our purpose as an institution of higher education. To help us plan for refreshments please RSVP to Tina Emmons at 731.8300; by November 10th. |
< read the October 97 Publication > |