Participatory Consciousness

Dennis Sumara entitled his article, "What is 'Participatory Consciousness' and Why Should It Matter to English Teachers?" By exploring the definition of 'consciousness', Sumara concludes that participatory consciousness is particularly important for English teachers because it demonstrates the link between the mind and body that is a fundamentally important in regards to consciousness. Sumara contrasts the human ability to see and think with human consciousness. Interestingly, Sumara argues that human consciousness is best understand as "a decentralized network of biological and cultural connections." Sumara explains that this capacity reaches its "full potential" when demonstrated in relation to other human beings. In other words, one's brain is most conscious when relating to other human beings in one way or another, and cannot be achieved in isolation.

Sumara goes on to explain how one's identity is developed through conscious experience relating to other humans. This is interesting considering that the curriculum guide for high school English emphasizes the importance of students developing strong identities. This may seem ironic as Sumara also argues that the whole point of participatory forms of learning "move the focus of learning from "me" to "we." However, the point seems to be that when students identify with their peers, and think less in individualized terms, they are able to develop a stronger sense of identity and function at the peek of their consciousness.

Sumara's driving point is that it is healthy for students to learn to hear a variety of voices and perspectives and allow opposing world views to come in contact with their own. This experience allows them to "interrogate, and reconsider the ways in which their identities are caught up in both conscious and unconscious ways of knowing."

I think this article fits well with the material that has been covered in my class that focuses on anti-racist and anti-oppressive teaching methods. When students are given opportunity to collaborate and participate with one another as they engage with the course content, they are able to connect "cognition and culture" and function at the peak of their consciousness.