It’s taken awhile, for which my apologies, but here at last is the podcast of Dr. Phil Long’s keynote presentation for the 2009 Baylor Scholars Week. Phil’s talk is very ambitious and comes at a great time as the two cultures meet again in the domain of undergraduate research.

I think Phil’s after some home truths here about human experience as seen through the lens of creativity, education, shared inquiry, and disciplinary methodologies. Listening to his talk again as I prepared it for publication, I was struck by the range of Phil’s thought and examples. History and neuroscience; academic research, teaching, learning, and administration; school reform (and the difficulties–or impossibilities–thereof); innovation and disruption. Most of all, I’m struck by Phil’s deep commitment to the encounter between teacher and student in which each learns from the other in true community, true reciprocation. The story of the Nobel Prize winner (about 41:45 into the podcast) brought me to tears when I heard it, and it still gives me chills to hear it now.

For me, Phil’s talk gets some key priorities in good order. First we must engage with and understand the environment in which we live, and imagine the possibilities with open minds and hearts. Then we must plan, execute, and afterwards, assess. Too often the assessment precedes the engagement, as we unconsciously, and sometimes with the best intentions, take fresh ideas and turn their gold to dross with habit, fear, and mulish resistance. We know the “no” before we make the effort. It takes courage, imagination, and a certain playfulness–maybe even what Keats called “negative capability”–to remain genuinely receptive to the opportunities before us and genuinely thoughtful about their benefits–and, of course, their liabilities.

For another great example of Phil’s thinking about these topics, see his recent article with Richard Holeton, “Signposts of the Revolution? What We Talk about When We Talk about Learning Spaces.”

But that’s enough from me for now. Time for Phil to speak.

Thanks, Phil.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (24.4MB)