Transcendentalism -
My highschool english teacher spent a week trying to teach us the meaning of the word. For days he struggled, reading us passages in hopes that a mental image would take root. He waved his arms, adjusted his tone, altered his facial expressions, and flailed about the classroom like a Dead-Head at a show submersed in a rain shower. Intently we listened, somewhat amused. Periodically, he’d question us, but apparently we weren’t providing him with the preferred responses. Trying to be patient, we carried on together; us attentive and lacking understanding, he bewildered and exhausted. In the end, my teacher did create a vision that, in over twenty years, I have not forgotten. His lesson was multi-facetted…
Care deeply. Have a passion. Show enthusiasm. Strive for success. Take time when you need it. Patience is key. Work hard at something worthwhile. Learning is a worthwhile cause. And teaching is a profession worthy of respect.
And here’s what I remember about transendentalism. Being a teacher, it’s in my nature to break big concepts down into manageable chunks. It will probably help me even more than it helps you; especially in being able to just spell the darn word! So, here’s my understanding…
To transcend (verb) is to rise above or go beyond the limits of say, thought or belief. (The concept certainly seemed to transcend our limits of understanding.)
To be transcendent (adj.) is to be superior in quality or achievement, beyond the limits of experience, almost unknowable. (Like my teacher, I know. Ironic, isn’t it?)
Transcendental (adj.) relates to a mystical experience; something out of this world! (I guess that explains the Dead-Head association earlier.)
Transcendentalism (noun) refers to a system of philosophy, popular with some nineteenth century writers, emphasizing intuition as a means of knowing a spiritual reality.
So why am I rambling on about highschool experiences and such an obscure concept as transcendentalism?
You see, (well, I guess you can’t yet, but maybe someday when I’m savy enough you will!) I am an Elementary School Teacher, teaching Computer Teachnology Skills, within the context of the New York State Core Curriculum, to students who live in a rural community, most of whom do not own computers. Many of these kids are extremely isolated from the world. Their families do not have the economic means to travel, so they have few experiences outside the county in which they reside.
We are living in a global world. This is the information age. Computer technology, the Internet, and the implications for Web 2.0 on education continue to transcend our expectations.
My students deserve to have safe opportunities to exchange ideas and learn from people outside of this small farming community. They need a chance to transcend their physical space and show that they can be transcendent in their achievement.
As their, second year, Computer Technology Teacher, it is my duty open up that pathway. I have been teaching them the basics, now I must rise to the occasion. I am taking my first Web 2.0 course and I am excited, confused, and extremely concerned about student safety, but I must transcend my fears and learn how to pave their way to the world.
And if I am to learn, I must begin to build my blog and a personal learning network of my own. I will continue to read other blogs, but I will try harder to give (post messages) rather then just receive (read them). I will subscribe to RSS feeds, create social bookmarks, and invite other educators to my site by sharing the link to my blog.
Phew! That’s it! I said my vows. It wasn’t to take the plunge, but here I go anyway, for better or worse, in good times and in bad. And that suburban high school teacher thought I didn’t get the message.
