It was interesting to hear everyone’s comments about the Texas history debate. Somebody brought up the whole idea that there should be a non-biased textbook to help teach the children. In my personal opinions I don’t think it is possible to create non-biased textbook. If their was such a thing the whole book would only be filled with dates. You couldn’t tell how or why certain events took place because you would automatically be putting some biased opinions in there. I think the best way to fix the problem would be to create a textbook that has multiple opinions and views, that way the students could compare all the sides and then develop their own opinions on the subject. Another factor that contributes to this is how the teacher teaches. Just like the textbook issue, teachers are also always going to be biased toward a certain side or point of view. This will influence how the students view things. I think a way to help stop much of this influence on the students is by having the teacher keep an open mind on what there are teaching and state all the views on the subject, that way the students aren’t only exposed to one point of view. For example, I have had a History teacher who was a strong democrat, but he kept an open mind while teaching the students. He didn’t try to persuade his students to think a certain way politically, but rather he taught the information from all aspects and then let the students decide how they felt. I’m not saying that he was never biased, but he did a good job of trying to balance everything out. Overall this is a tough situation to fix but it is also vital that is be correct, because you don’t want the Texas students getting taught a one sided view of American history. The students need to be exposed to all the GOOD and BAD that has happened in American history, this way they can learn from the past and not relive the mistake’s that their forefathers had gone through.
Good afternoon Ashley Mushegan. Well-balanced argument, bringing in ideas not only from your own mind but from classroom experience. I like that you related to a specific topic within your Socratic Circle as well to a specific example of bias, this ambiguous "History teacher", which you could describe with personal experience.
ReplyDeleteYet I would like to argue with your logic, in hopes of making you angry. You say that to write a textbook with nothing but dates one "would automatically be putting some biased opinions in there." But biases can be left out if the present and past stay separate. For instance, the opinions and biases of politicians in 1853 can be described in pure detail, their disagreements, and their proceeding successes and failures, and the author or teacher need not say whether they thought this was "good" or "bad". Is my thinking backwards? I would love to hear your input, but don't feel obligated to reply, it was pleasure enough to read from your innermost thoughts.
I find it convenient that we talked about the same topic. I also think it is interesting that you think they should put in views from both sides and let the students decide which one to in a way 'believe'. But in a lot of cases i think it may end up that they follow only one side through and through. Like the Democratic view, just because that may be the trend at that moment. Without getting insight about another view, or even paying attention. We, as young adults are very susceptible to a fixed idea, and i do not think it would be difficult for this to happen. But discussing it is a great idea. And a good way to learn from the past without information smothered in biases being shoved down their throats.
ReplyDeleteHello Mushy. Though I did not partake in these mentioned Socratic discussions, I agree with your statements on the inevitability of bias in literature and human nature in general, and how, ultimately, the approach of the teacher plays a large part in dictating how the information is perceived. For example, science textbooks are, as a state standard, required to include the theory of evolution. Though the teacher is not mandated to keep an unbiased approach and neither is the book itself, it is preferred that the teacher be compelled by an inherent sense of courtesy and respect to present the information factually and theoretically instead of attempting to define the students' beliefs with their own. On the other hand, I too have had a fairly Democratic history teacher, though mine had a tendency to be slightly less than objective at points. Rather than become outraged at his blatant opinions infused with the lesson, I realized it's best to acknowledge that what happens in the classroom is an accurate representation of what happens in life. Due to the wonderful concept of freedom of speech, we are constantly bombarded with bias after bias and we must come to a point eventually where we realize we have the power to discern for ourselves and will either establish a set of beliefs and absolutes in our lives, or we will have none at all.
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