Blog #1
In his educational book, The Problem of Common Sense, Kevin Kumashiro evaluates and critiques the social construct of common sense. As defined, common sense is an unseen, unquestioned, routine individuals follow to adhere to the norms of their culture (Kumashiro, 2009). Though common sense may be comfortable from an emic perspective, its understandings are not universal – giving way to oppressive ‘us against them’ societal dynamics.
It is crucial that we – both as educators and as members of society – question what is going on in our daily environments as oppose to maintaining comfort. Common sense, from the lens of an insider, is difficult to observe as it is weaved into daily cultural practice. The comfort of this routine makes the inner commonsensical thread easy to overlook, thus leading to blind conformity and ethnocentric beliefs – like Kumashiro’s view on U.S. superiority (Kumashiro, 2009). Though difficult to perceive as an insider, it is important for individuals look beyond comfort and pull apart cultural frameworks. Doing so not only broadens perspective, but allows for acceptance in the fact that there are multiple correct cultural practices and methods.
Currently, my knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy is very limited. I was in the Catholic education system from preschool until grade 12, narrowing my personal experiences to one division. A commonsensical belief I hold is that curricular content should relate to ALL students. The curriculum has the tendency to focus on the ‘majority’ (Canadian-born, English/French fluent, cis-gendered, heterosexual, able-bodied, etc.) as opposed to all. Anyone considered ‘outside of the majority population’ is typically left out of curricular content, and considered low priority. The times are changing and commonsensical understandings must change with it. Education is not efficient unless it can resonate with all.
Source
Kumashiro, K. (2009). Against common sense : teaching and learning toward social justice. (pp. XXIX–XLI). Routledge. https://drive.google.com/file/d/19qJJP3W5xa_Y1Vezet_H18xVo1NUvGqE/view