The Problem of Common Sense

In Kumashiro’s “The Problem of Common Sense,” he defines ‘common sense’ as something that is taken for granted or that everyone should know; these can be unspoken assumptions and perspectives, and/or unquestioned embedded ideas, values, and feelings.  These understandings of common sense are the norms and status quos that remain unchallenged and unrecognized, while at the same time they can vary drastically depending on culture which can be both detrimental and problematic.  Therefore, it is important to pay attention to because these ‘common sense’  understandings can reinforce different forms of oppression; they privilege and benefit some while marginalizing and subordinating others based on race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities, language, age, and others.  In relation to the education system these important factors can hinder and confuse while reinforcing oppression for the next generation of learners.  My common sense understanding of curriculum and pedagogy as a pre-service teacher are somewhat conflicting.  I say conflicting because there is a twenty-five-year gap between my secondary education and post-secondary education.  In this time, I have often questioned the norms and status quos of education as I navigated through my own children’s education. With four children I have seen firsthand that while some curriculum worked for one or two it did not work for another.  The same can be said about pedagogy, the way one was taught was problematic to another, while some were visual the others were auditory or kinesthetic learners.  This difference for them had and continues to have me question why and how certain things are taught and not others.  I have realized that teachers and learners both contribute to teaching and learning and that it is all about finding a balance between them.  I also believe respect flows both ways between student and teacher, and that it all stems on relationship; It does not matter what and how you teach if there is no relationship.  As for any other common sense understandings of curriculum and pedagogy (I am sure they are there), it is a continual process of question, critique, and challenging the things I have been unaware of or taken for granted.  I can honestly say I am someone who is both open and welcoming to correction and change.