| Awolnation – Sail Lyrics | 8 years ago |
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@[SarahW103:6802] I appreciate everyone's comments and above all, I think that @[CaptSibiGeu:6803] is right in saying that when it comes down to it we interpret any kind of art subjectively and based on our own experiences. But there are a few things I want to clarify. Firstly, I don't believe that all children are wrongly diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. I know it's a very real condition that many people suffer from, including children. But rather that it is particularly prone to misuse as a way of explaining why so many kids don't thrive in our current model of schooling, which emphasizes direct instruction and sees knowledge as something which can be transmitted from an adult to a child by telling them facts and having them read information. Much like interpretation, knowledge is constructed by an individual in complex ways that are dependent upon their personal frame of reference. This frame of reference is in turn influened by individual traits, aptitudes, learning styles, interests, culture, social environment, and self-perception, which makes it very difficult to put a diverse group of people in one room, have them sit at desks facing the teacher, and expect them to soak up knowledge through lessons and lectures. This kind of passive, receiving instruction is especially difficult for people who find it hard to sit still, such as those with ADD. The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, though probably somewhat too simplistic, is a helpful framework for thinking about this. According to the theory there are the following kinds of "intelligences" or learning styles: verbal/linguistic, logical/mathematical, visual/spatial, bodily/kinesthetic, musical social/interpersonal, emotional/intrapersonal, and naturalistic. Our current form of schoooling caters for the most part to children with the first two learning styles (math and English, worksheet problems and writing essays). Rather than being a commentary on ADD specifically, I interpret this song as addressing the larger problem of failing to provide an environment in which all types of learners can thrive. Lastly, I don't mean to say that teachers are at fault. Having had four years pass since I wrote this interpretation, I've experienced firsthand what teachers face in the classroom, and it's a wonder that they even find the motivation to pull out the textbooks, let alone find a way to completely restructure their classroom and then take on the role of psychologist, counselor, curriculum planner, instructor, manager, behavior specialist, and community outreach advocate. Teachers and classrooms need so much more support and attention, let alone funding, than we give them. (I'm no longer teaching, the frustration and helplessness I felt overpowered the lofty ideals I have about reform and I couldn't bring myself to just "work within the system" in order to get to the part where I could "change the system"). Thanks as well to @[dipanddump:6804] @[RoseTeaCup1216:6805] @[PolarMeow:6806] @[shelley100:6807] @[BirdHead2U:6808] @[jack118178:6809] @[tigerleurlis:6810] for the thoughtful responses. |
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| Awolnation – Sail Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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Being a future teacher, I like to think of this song as being about the increasingly misplaced blame being put on students for their inability to succeed in our current school system, specifically the rise of kids being wrongly diagnosed with ADD or other behavioral problems, or whose needs are not being met because of our refusal to recognize that it is not them, but us, that are problem. The title "Sail" has the feeling that many of us had in school "just sail through" and just get by, doing no more than necessary to get a passing grade. Especially the part: "Maybe I'm a different breed, maybe I'm not listening" seems reflective of how many students just don't fit into the mold and don't learn the same way, but are told by their teachers/parents that they aren't listening well enough or that they are just lazy. Many students do “cry for help”, and many become suicidal and depressed because of the feelings of inadequacy/differentness caused by being told (directly and indirectly) that they aren't good enough or that they don't fit in. The first part is harder to fit into my little theory, but when he says “this is how I show my love- made it in my mind because” I think of how much passion and curiosity is squashed by teachers and parents that don't recognize the unique talents of kids who might show their love/passion in different ways (music, art, sports), since those things never helped anyone pass a standardized test. “This is how an angel cries”- reminds me of students who turn away from school/parents (drugs, gangs, violence etc.) because they weren't ever really given a chance to succeed or be themselves and because schools so often fail to recognize the complexities and impact of social issues, individuality, and the need for self-determination on students' lives. But most teachers/schools/parents would rather just blame it on their ADD. |
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