Welcome to my teaching portfolio.
I’d like to take the time to say that as a Writer, Thinker and mentor, I try not to encourage Dichotomous thinking, this is the trap of absolutism; black or white, good or bad sort of thinking. I think this way of thinking is a very useful cognitive shortcut, but the problem with shortcuts is; sometimes they fall short. For Example, there is a war growing in academia right now over whether Ai should be used or not. Some instructors have adopted the practice of failing students for ai use or at the very least, flagging them for academic dishonesty. This reflects a “Good or Bad” solution: Using AI = Cheating, Cheating = Bad. While this stance makes a certain kind of sense (it ensures a more honest evaluation of a given student’ writing skill) it also oversimplifies a more complex issue.
Dialogic thinking on the other hand is way more time consuming, but ultimately a richer way to approach writing, thinking and even life. A Dialogic involves identifying multiple perspectives on a given state of affairs, and understanding the trade-offs and risks of any associated course of action that one might desire to undertake. For example, the same scenario as before but reasoned as a Dialogic could go like this; “Yes, AI use can pose risks (like producing writers who haven’t built the mental muscles required for academic work) But under the right guidance, AI can also help students brainstorm or organize thoughts, clarify ideas and explore new concepts, especially those students with learning “Disabilities” or language barriers.
(More on Learning “Disabilities” later when we engage with Kerri Rinaldi’s work.)
In this model of thinking the process is shifted away from sorting the students into categories like “good” or “Bad” “honest” and “Dishonest” and into the realm of understanding.
In the Dialogic Model of reasoning, we focus on the needs of each individual student, ascertain where their goal posts are and equip them for that journey. In this model we can also ask guiding questions to ascertain what intellectual vices and virtues this student may possess, questions which may even alter the course of said students career and goals in unexpected ways.
Keep in mind, I’ve never written this down (only admitted it out loud) but my goal, up until becoming a Writing Mentor, was to land a Sys-Admin or tech support role. Not because I loved the idea of troubleshooting routers forever, but because I figured I could pay myself to write. Make just enough to fund the art. That was the plan. No dream of climbing ladders. Just carving out a space for myself.
I used to think that was the only way, to clock in, pay rent, and make something meaningful in the margins. But now? Now I’m all-in. Somehow the writing became the work. And that’s a dialogue I never expected to have with myself. So in my view, the Dialogic works! If I can pass the buck I will. Thanks for Reading so far.
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