Listening to a representative musical Christmas canon was an interesting way to begin the course. The activity addressed the idea of constancy versus change, and what should be taught to or learned by everyone.
The different views of Christmas represented in the canon may reflect a capitalist orientation by the musicians to cash-in on a good thing, or they could reflect personal perspectives about it. The big question regarding the representation is, "What is true?" If the songs heard are a part of a canon, they should reveal a truth about the essence of Christmas. What truth did the songs reveal? There were multiple truths revealed, each one representing the point-of-view its author. That being being said, however, there is only one reason for Christmas.
The idea of mulitple truths is about meaning... what an event like Christmas means to an individual, family (group) or a community. The common elements in all of the collected truths of individuals, families or communites would form the canon of meaning for all - the "truth." Related to the class discussion, the overarching narrative could be the canonized truth of all peoples, and the sub-narratives the meanings of the individuals, families and communities.
Such a perspective is linked to the meaning of text determined by its reader - reader response theory. If that is so, then the question, "Does constructivism lead to truth?" is worth answering. If scientific experimentation is a testimony to constructivist activity, then it can be said that constructivism does lead to truth.
It is interesting to think about how a baby communicates its needs and what it learns when its needs or wants are or are not realized. Going back to the very beginning, like the Space Odyssey movie clip at the end of class showed, is essential for an understanding of what is to be required and what may be considered optional in a program of study. To develop a curriculum whose content can be defended, the writers need to be able to see reality from every point on a circle whose center the world. There must be a perspective on reality considered from multiple domains: philosophy, the humanities, engineering, technology, medicine, science, art, business, music, agriculture, and education. In short, there needs to be consideration of the universe as humanity knows it. What is a worthwhile study? Why? There are many issues and perspectives to consider.
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