Teacher as Listener: Empirical and Philosophical Perspectives on the Roles of Teacher-Listening in Supporting Democratic Learning Environments

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This panel brings together theoretical and empirical research to offer new perspectives on teacher-listening. The panel focuses on understanding the specialized ways teachers listen to students and the diverse contexts within which they listen. The perspectives in these papers are each based on the belief that teacher-listening plays an indispensable role in shaping democratic learning environments; following John Dewey’s (1916) ideas, these are environments in which students are encouraged to express their ideas, value others' ideas, and exchange in mutually respectful interactions with teacher and peers. This panel contributes to our understanding of listening in a way that has both theoretical and practical implications for how we understand the indispensable role of the teacher in supporting meaningful student learning.

Sub Unit

• Division K - Teaching and Teacher Education / Division K - Section 1: Teaching and Teacher Education in the Content Areas

Chair

• Andrea R. English, University of Edinburgh

Papers

• The Roles of Listening in Fostering Democratic Practices in a Class Meeting - Kersti Tyson, University of New Mexico

• "I Have Two Ears and One Mouth": Interpretations of Five Elementary Teachers' Listening Conceptions - Brad Siegel, Northern Highlands Regional High School

• "Now I'm Starting to Wonder": What Is the Role of Listening as Young Mathematicians Persevere With Complex Problems and Revise Their Ideas? - Allison Beth Hintz, University of Washington - Bothell; Andrea R. English, University of Edinburgh; Kersti Tyson, University of New Mexico

• Teacher Learning Through Listening - Sophie Haroutunian-Gordon, Northwestern University

• Can We Teach Without Listening? Listening, Humility, and Learning to Teach - Andrea R. English, University of Edinburgh

Discussant

• Megan J. Laverty, Teachers College, Columbia University