Subject: abstract vs. concrete

Posted by Janis Dutton on 2/6/2006
In Reply To:abstract vs. concrete Posted by Bill Ellis on 2/5/2006

Message:

One website attributes this quote to Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity. http://www.habits-of-mind.net/quotmodel.htm

Clever as it is, I am not convinced. There's too much action without thinking, which changes nothing, especially thinking, especially in
education. As a committed and bruised social activist I hold tight
to a similar belief voiced by Myles Horton, founder of the now-named Highlander Research and Education Center:

"Without action there is no knowledge."

I also know that, in the 70+ years of Highlander's successes, a great amount of thinking, analyzing, and learning preceded actions. One of Highlander's most famous participants, Rosa Parks, spent many years collectively developing new ways of thinking with others before she ever refused to give up her seat on the bus.

The problem with both of these quotes is that linear thinkers will see these ideas as linear processes, or as either/or choices, when the relationship between action and thinking/knowledge/learning is a reinforcing cycle.

The relationship between abstract and concrete is probably more oppositional, but understanding the dialectical relationship between the two can only advance practice. Theory underlies all educational acts, and K-12 educators deserve the respect and the opportunities to engage in philosophical discussions related to their practice--who they are, why they do what they do, and why they do it the way they do (apologies to Bob Garmston for the rephrasing.)

I look forward to more posts on new definitions for feedback loops.
Different approaches may reach a wider audience.

Janis Dutton

Follow Ups:

abstract vs. concrete - Bill Ellis 2/7/2006