I was talking to a friend the other day who works an office job. He described life in a cubicle as being basically boring. Despite this, he is grateful for what he has.
"They decided to get rid of the cubes for a few months. Actually, it was about half a year. I hated it. We had to share all of our space. Everything was so open. It sounded great. It looked great. But after awhile, I wanted to have my own space. I began wishing for the cube again. It was supposed to bring us closer, but we were so much more intentional about relating to one another when we had our cubicles. So, even if it's boring, the cube beats the other option."
It made me think about the failure of the open classrooms of the seventies. It sounded so great at the time. (I mention that as if I was alive back then.) On paper it seemed interesting. Philosophically, it seemed to make sense that schools would tear down walls, allow for more freedom and create a physical atmosphere that is open.
In reality, too much freedom feels unsafe. The barriers can actually create a community, a sense of space, a notion that we belong. Like the prisoners who can't handle life outside the bars, it seems that there is a part of me that wants to have bars and barriers and boundaries. I like the idea of a cubicle- a place that is all mine, where I can construct semi-sound-proof barriers and work alone.
I wonder if that is why postmodern society thirsts for community in a world where there is no truth, no boundaries, no authority; where everything is satire and nothing is sacred; where each blend of truth seems as pallatable as the next. I wonder if we need some of the walls to be safe, to have a sense of community and belonging.
I'm quick to slam standardized education, but I realize that there is a place for the standards, the barriers, the rules and procedures and a few of the elements that can make school feel like a prison. Though I may rail against the micromanagement of the Blackboard Configuration and the AIMS test, I know that some structure is necessary. I guess what I want is the freedom to customize my cubicle to fit the needs of my students.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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The views of this blog are those of the author only . . . and a few people crazy enough to agree with him. They do not in any way represent those of the Cartwright School District or its staff. If you find something offensive, please e-mail me at socialvoice@gmail.com and we'll engage in a respectful dialogue.
5 comments:
This post makes me think of a few of my friends in the military. They were the "untamed" kids in school who had no respect for rules or authority. After being in the military where you have nothing but rules and structure, they are reformed, contributing, amazing adults. While I don't believe we should have military-style schools I do think there's something to be said for structure = safe = success.
Our district just replaced the last open concept schools over the last few years. I taught gifted ed in one for 8 years---looking back I wonder how I did it. Over the years people built "old furniture bunkers" between the class areas but it was still noisy and distracting since the back end of your classroom was wide open to a common walkway, yikes---as Leno said to Hugh Grant "What were you (they) thinking?"!!
I wanted to read your post on Five Fashion Fads, did you delete it? It's still coming up on my feed but the link is kaput!
Yeah, I delted it. I looked at myself in the mirror and realized that I have no place making fun of anything fashion-related.
What a hoot! I know what you mean After 25 years in the classroom I'm no fashion plate myself but have noticed some trends!
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