Categories: uncategorized
Date: 23 September 2005 14:48:39
Interesting article on labelling on the BBC website. Apparently there is a website, which I haven't explored, which says that teachers mentally label students who have certain types of names.
Whilst I understand some parents, (with children whose names are on the "dodgy list" no doubt) are getting a bit hot under the collar about this, in reality it is even less shocking than Kate Moss's coke habit, (and was anybody seriously shocked about that?). This is not a new concept; Hargreaves, Mellor, Becker and others have all written loads on labelling theory, which are imparted into the minds of Sociology students, for them to spew up as required, if asked an appropriate question on the exam paper.
Let's be honest we all have first impressions about people, based on dress, names, voice, etc. The role of the teacher is not to let those first impressions effect their future interactions with the student or to let them influence judgements on the students ability or quality of their work. Without exception, I don't think I know a teacher who does not give their students a fair chance.
So whilst those concerned may need to think about what they put on a publicly accessible site let's not turn this into something it's not.
**can't work out why link hasn't worked. Address of article is http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4274318.stm **