word for today
June 5, 2007
ped·a·go·gy [ped-uh-goh-jee, -goj-ee] –noun, plural -gies.
1. the function or work of a teacher; teaching.
2. the art or science of teaching; education; instructional methods.
[Origin: 1575–85; < Gk paidagōgía office of a child's tutor.]
ped·a·gog·ic (pěd'ə-gŏj'ĭk, -gō'jĭk) adj.
1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of pedagogy.
2. Characterized by pedantic formality: a haughty, pedagogic manner.
I may end up working with someone to develop a workshop about blogs and teaching but that's another story. In the meantime, I was looking into the subject and I noticed that one of the words used a lot by people at the college (or so it seems to me) is "pedagogy" and it is used instead of the word "teach". Now, I think it's a good idea to have a large vocabulary and to exercise it as much as one can. But there are some words that don't work for me and this is one of them. Perhaps my negative view of the word comes from the second meaning of "pedagogic" above. Merely using the word "pedagogic" seems hoity-toity and reinforces the negativity.
ped·a·go·gy [ped-uh-goh-jee, -goj-ee] –noun, plural -gies.
1. the function or work of a teacher; teaching.
2. the art or science of teaching; education; instructional methods.
[Origin: 1575–85; < Gk paidagōgía office of a child's tutor.]
ped·a·gog·ic (pěd'ə-gŏj'ĭk, -gō'jĭk) adj.
1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of pedagogy.
2. Characterized by pedantic formality: a haughty, pedagogic manner.
I may end up working with someone to develop a workshop about blogs and teaching but that's another story. In the meantime, I was looking into the subject and I noticed that one of the words used a lot by people at the college (or so it seems to me) is "pedagogy" and it is used instead of the word "teach". Now, I think it's a good idea to have a large vocabulary and to exercise it as much as one can. But there are some words that don't work for me and this is one of them. Perhaps my negative view of the word comes from the second meaning of "pedagogic" above. Merely using the word "pedagogic" seems hoity-toity and reinforces the negativity.
Labels: definition, words
posted by JuliaR | 6/05/2007 12:31:00 p.m.
3 Comments:
I share your distaste for the word pedagogic, as it seems to put the whole teaching profession on a pedestal.
But I wish you all the best with your pedablogic endeavour. It sounds interesting.
Even worse -- "pedagogically useful." Every time I hear that phrase, a handful of my brain cells up and die.
Zoom, I also think it's the root "ped" in the word that puts me off - I know it means "child" and there are good words like "pediatrics" but since you see the word "pedoph1le" in the news more, it makes me think of that. And if the root of the word is "child", why are they using it in relation to a college? Argh.
We'll see if the bloggy thing goes anywhere - you never know when the funding is sketchy at best.
Michael, your comment made me laugh, thanks. Are you of Orange Crate fame?
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