Posing Questions—Part II: Teaching CuriousityPosted on October 28, 2013 by David RhoadsPerhaps curiosity is a character trait that cannot be taught. But maybe it can be picked up by example or contagion or osmosis. You see someone who is fascinated with things and loves to investigate them, and you are just drawn to imitate that person….
Posing Questions—Part I: Better a Good Question than an Answer!Posted on October 18, 2013 by David RhoadsWhat is it about a good question? What happens when the question itself becomes a fascination?It may be a question that names a puzzle to be solved or a conundrum to be contemplated. It may put the finger on a piece of evidence necessary for understanding. It may point to a contradiction that problematizes or complexifies our thinking. It may challenge our fundamental assumptions. It may be a question to which there will be no certain answer. It will probably be a question that leads to other questions. But when you get a good one, it is clearly better to have a good question than an answer!…
Hospitality in the Classroom—Part III: Modeling the PracticePosted on October 5, 2013 by David RhoadsIn this post I will provide a number of the specific ways I have personally tried to answer: “How can I create an atmosphere where people were free to speak and learn without being anxious or fearful?” These practices may seem obvious, but they go far to create a classroom culture where learning can affectively occur….
Hospitality in the Classroom—Part II: A Legacy of HospitalityPosted on September 25, 2013 by David RhoadsAt its simplest level, the image of hospitality relates to our homes. If I imagine the classroom to be my home, how would I act if I had guests?Actually, hospitality is a lost art in our society….
Hospitality in the Classroom—Part I: A Key IngredientPosted on September 14, 2013 by David RhoadsI learned a teacher’s hospitality from the best-loved teacher at Carthage College, Dudley Riggle. Dudley is one of the finest human beings I have known. He has a profound theology of grace, and everything he does is informed by it. He is a quiet, unassuming person who thinks carefully through everything he says and does. He was the chaplain at the college, and he preached some of the best sermons I have ever heard….