Transformative Pedagogy in Online Teaching

TP is defined as a framework that enables learners getting more than just knowledge of a particular content, and instead also gains tools to become more self-aware and committed to social change. In this article, Meyers (2008) argues that online settings can highly contribute to this. Through looking at five tenets of TP; 1) safe environments, 2) focus on learners' beliefs, experiences and biases, 3) participation and engagement, 4) real world social issues and 5) action, strategies are laid out for how online teachers can bring this into their teaching.

Firstly, online forums can provide a safe environment through allowing space for learners to express themselves, be flexible with when to speak and feeling more safe to reveal personal anecdotes. Online tools can also contribute in creating this. All of this is supported by a teacher that is more of a facilitator. Secondly, assignments focusing on self-reflection can support learners to examine assumptions. The flexibility of e.g. forums through online learning can also allow for students to see nuances of arguments and situations, as the conversations are allowed to emerge slowly throughout time. The forums can also contribute to more engagement, together with tools such as blogs, wikis, etc. Fourthly, online teachers can make sure to connect their content to real life social issues, in order to raise consciousness about this. Finally, actions can be encouraged through either using the internet as a resources for preparing for it, or as a means to take it (e.g. online campaigns).

Comments

This article quite practically outlined the applicability of TP on online teaching. It is of high importance to make this connection, as the critical lens could easily get missed out when the focus becomes to heavy on the technical aspects of shifting to online learning e.g., or only seeing TP as relevant to face-to-face pedagogy. I would be interested to read more research on how people feel when engaging in online forums e.g., as I wonder whether it only provides more safety. There is some special vulnerability in putting your words into print - in a classroom they "disappear" after having been voiced apart from remaining in the minds of those who have heard them. Furthermore, in a face-to-face environment there are more strategies at hand for how to create safety, trust and cohesion in a group. This is why I think this article is important, because the development of these strategies in online contexts are of high importance and value.

Reference: Steven A. Meyers (2008) Using Transformative Pedagogy When Teaching Online, College Teaching, 56:4, 219-224, DOI: 10.3200/CTCH.56.4.219-224

#AcademicReview #TransformativeLearning #3