Peer reviewed
Direct linkERIC Number: EJ845997
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Jun
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0010-096X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Composition as a Thermostatic Activity
Lynch, Paul
College Composition and Communication, v60 n4 p728-745 Jun 2009
This essay offers Neil Postman's thermostatic metaphor as a model for critical teaching. In this model, the role of the composition teacher is that of a thermostat that responds to a changing ideological environment by offering counterbalance. Such a stance is an anti-stance since it requires the teachers to enact philosophies and pedagogies, rather than holding them. (Contains 5 notes.)
Descriptors: Writing (Composition), Writing Instruction, Teacher Role, Models, Figurative Language, Teaching Styles, Educational Philosophy, Political Attitudes, Power Structure, Critical Theory, Role of Education, Bias, Labeling (of Persons), Ideology
National Council of Teachers of English. 1111 West Kenyon Road, Urbana, IL 61801-1096. Tel: 877-369-6283; Tel: 217-328-3870; Web site: http://www.ncte.org/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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