Knowing, Doing, and Being

Looking at how the methodologies of teaching have changed within the past twenty years, I find it very interesting to see the shift of education to be less about hard facts and figures and slowly begin to incorporate more of the student's knowledge and life skills in their work.

Growing up as a student from the late nineties to 2010, I did not experience the shift of endorsing Knowing, Doing, and Being until reaching university and discussing it in my Drama in Education classes.  Looking back, the style of education was very rudimentary and focused on academic performance and proficiency rather than trying to develop and support the student as a whole.  Despite excelling in this system academically, I tried to challenge the system in other ways which usually ended up being about the way the system marginalized certain groups or failed to take into account the learning styles of others.

The reason I like the Knowing, Doing, and Being system is because it helps provide positive alternative to the utilitarian style of school I attended.  We as educators know that these three methodologies are best utilized in conjunction with each other and doing so will help students to learn more so than just in surface academics.

Being is very important as an educator and as a student.  If a student feels threatened or stressed, that affects the Knowing and the Doing.  Providing safe spaces and celebrating what makes us individuals rather than endorsing that everyone be the same will allow students during the tumultuous teenage years to feel more at ease in their school environment.  Also by offering various options for schoolwork, assessments, and post-secondary pursuits will also help students feel more in control of their education and more relaxed in the school setting.

With the Being receiving support, it is now easier for students to focus on the Knowing and the Doing.  Allowing lesson plans, various projects, and reflective assignments to be flexible for the needs of the student will facilitate this and help each student growin in their own way.

As a theatre teacher, Knowing, Doing, and Being are very important to keep in mind for a class that has plenty of cooperative work and a flexible curriculum.  For my future classroom, the Being will be heavily supported through making the classroom a safe space for everyone, being available in case a student is in need, and creating various formats and forms of assessment for class work, projects or final in-class exams.  By facilitating all aspects of the student, the student will be able to grasp and build upon their work more effectively and help them to succeed.