Understanding feminist pedagogy: Revisit, short note and poem

Revisit

An article by this blogger 'Do Men and Women Learn Differently' (merinews.com, 2008, now discontinued) was picked up by Harvard School of Extension Education as a discussion paper for a few years to elicit principles of feminist pedagogy. The work has been quotes in book on special education, inclusive education gender studies. The most quoted work was revisited to write a short note and a poem on feminist pedagogy.

Short note on feminist pedagogy

Feminist pedagogy views gender-based social and biological roles as unjust and biased constructs. It questions traditional, hierarchical relationships in society, caregivers as well as between teachers and students. This approach prioritizes equality, inclusion, empowerment, and the amplification of diverse gender voices and lived experiences into learning and knowledge construction.

This pedagogy encourages a shared power dynamic and recognizes personal life experiences as valid sources of knowledge. It involves creating an inclusive community of learners through mutual respect and a sense of belonging. It gives importance to emotional intelligence and right-hemispheric brain function both for male and female students

Additionally, it downplays competition, elitism, rewards and punishments, and discrimination, while promoting collaboration, cooperation, and equality. In this classroom environment, the teacher is regarded as a senior co-learner who facilitates dialogue instead of lectures, engages in collaborative learning by incorporating diverse perspectives, and fosters care and sharing.

At the cognitive level, feminist pedagogy nurtures students' critical consciousness and creativity, empowering them to become harbingers of social change towards an equitable and just society.

Students as community of learners in a feminist pedagogy driven classroom: Poem

A gentle hand, a listening ear,

No towering throne of knowledge here.

We gather close, a rainbow bright,

Where every voice shines like a light.

Not girl, not boy, but heart so true,

Old stories told, made fresh and new.

For walls of role, we tear them down,

And build a world of equal crown.

The teacher guides, a friend in sight,

We learn together, dark to light.

No race to win, no gold to claim,

Just helping hands, whispering each name.

We share our thoughts, both big and small,

And lift each other when we fall.

From seeds of care, a garden grows,

Where empathy blooms, and kindness flows.

To speak our truth, to rise and be,

The change we wish the world to see.

With open hearts and voices strong,

We right the wrongs where wrongs belong.