Firstly, “…having measures of ability and talent that respect local context, experiences, strengths, and interests are essential if we are to have ethically valid interpretations of what constitutes talented transactions and who is considered able to engage in these types of transactions.”
Similarly, “ability and talent should not be viewed as constructs possessed by individuals but, instead, as sets of relations that are actualized through dynamic transactions.”
(Sasha A. Barab & Jonathan A. Plucker (2002), post 08/06/10, p. 178)
Hi Julia
ReplyDeleteI like the quotes you selected. I feel that Barab & Plucker are trying to convey the message that ability and talent are highly contextualised, and that even though an individual may show talent in one area, this is not necessarily transferrable to other areas. For example on page 168 of their article they discuss the example of a girl who excelled when learning through lectures, however when the same child participated in collaborative group work she was not as successful because she was placed into a new environmental context with which she was unfamiliar.
Further, my understanding is that Barab & Plucker are explaining that each individual is inherently talented, it’s just that some individuals seem to flourish in certain situations, perhaps because they understand from a broader perspective the influencing variables contributing toward their success. I think I aliken it to those people who ‘know how to play the game to win’?
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts, as I found this reading a bit of a challenge to get my head around, and want to make sure I’m on the right track.
Claire ☺
Hi Julia,
ReplyDeleteI am enthralled by this concept that talent, ability and even expertise, is not something possessed by individuals, it's not luck of the draw, it's not just a birthright of a lucky few talented individuals. It's available to most of us, given the right conditions, nurturing, appropriate early intervention and as Barab & Plucker (2002), a 'flow' between a person, their environment and the cultural setting.
Venturing into the world of education, and the responsibility it brings, this set of readings is a game changer. It means to me that not only can we foster, nurture and support budding talents and abilities in our students (and even clients in my sector of Social Work), but by maintaining awareness of our students and clients environment, their personal experiences and individual aptitudes we can assist them to reach their full potential. We can have flow between all these aspects, as Barab & Plucker (2002, p. 174) demonstrate for us in figure 2 with a visual representation of a dynamic transaction between the individual, the physical environment and the sociocultural context. So with practice, motivation, personal strengths and 'doing' (individual); to context in learning, meaningful experiences and creative structures that provide contextualized participation, not only in a classroom setting (physical environment). Socially and culturally specific learning environments and pedagogy that endeavours to foster talent and ability through a socially produced and socially valued lens (sociocultural context).
Also to your comment Claire, I like your take on it. My understanding of your comment is that it requires EI, such as 'know how to play the game to win', that would be someone with high metacognition and ability to work and live with others successfully perhaps? It's highly subjective also, what is the game? What is working and living with others successfully mean? It means different things to different people. However, it's so important to understand the social, cultural environment our students and clients find themselves in, whether it is familiar or comfortable or whether they feel restricted, inhibited and intimidated. In addition to the classroom it is our responsibility to place learning in context by creating meaningful interactions and settings, and also real life learning experiences.
EI is a valuable and useful presence when discussing and unpacking talent, expertise and ability.
Given we understand the individual, environment and cultural context of developing talent and ability, is there a possibility I could still become an admired, wealthy, beautiful singer like Adele then?
Thanks again ladies, great discussions.
Yasmin