An educated mind is an opened mind. An opened mind is a liberal mind. Teachers don't have to intend to create liberals, it happens naturally. |
On the inside:Reducing knowledgeLinks to other education stories.As always, the topics will be whatever you want to discuss.
Door's Open...
Reducing knowledge I got into a discussion on Thursday over at Cheers and Jeers, which is not usually the place for such things. I didn't really have time to do that, but I just couldn't leave it alone. The comment I responded to challenged the notion of "critical thinking" which gave me some pause, but really wasn't what twisted my knickers. The commentator also seemed to be in favor of high-stakes standardized testing and the concommitant standardized curriculum. My question was then, and still is: Why is it necessary that every student learn exactly the same material?
From the author's response, I am apparently either too wrapped up in my teacher's ways or simply too dumb or oblivious to understand any answer to this question, so s/he didn't supply one. Perhaps someone else can help me out? I mean, I understand the notion of people working together in modern society, but isn't it really a waste if everyone on the team has exactly the same knowledge? Wouldn't it be beteer if the members of the team had complementary skills with some overlap rather than identical skills? What is the point of standardization?
Wouldn't the standardization of curriculum have the overall effect of reducing the sum total of human knowledge? Is that the point of all this? If Worker A and Worker B have exactly the same knowledge, why do I need two workers? Can somebody help me out? |
I'll be hanging around most of the day, actively waiting for your comments (actually, I'll be working on my tenure file), so at least one person will be here to discuss whatever anyone wants to discuss.
The Not-so-many Rules No general bashing of administrators, politicians, etc, just on general principles. If you want to bash them, have a point and a plan.No bitching about students unless your talking about what you are going to do to alleviate the problems you think the students have.Introductions are encouraged, but not essential.I have no investment in hosting the Teacher's Lounge. If someone else thinks they can and wants to do it better, cool. I just want the space. And not for teachers only, but respecting the general theme of teaching and learning.Teacher's Lounge can be "slow blogging" if you want it to be. You don't get quality writing if you demand velocity. It doesn't have to be the case that something posted today is dead by tomorrow. I would like it to eventually be up and active 24/7, but that may have to wait until I have developed an independent blog site. |
Every Saturday I'll post a clean slate, between 10am and 11am EST.