One of my biggest issues with public education is that it is terribly regimented. Students are told what to learn and how to learn it. Unfortunately, this approach to education no longer works. Everyone can now access information and learn about topics that were once difficult to explore. Those with extensive knowledge about specific subjects (teachers, professors, researchers, etc.) are no longer the gatekeepers of information. The Internet has opened up the academic world to anyone who has access to a computer.
Sadly, this does not mean that we are becoming a more educated populace. Just because we have access to information it does not mean that we are able to utilize this information well. For example, I could perform a Google search for "Shakespeare" and receive millions of hits. At first glance that would seem like plenty of information. But, in reality, only about a couple hundred of these millions of sites house information on Shakespeare that is well organized, well written, and credible. Many Internet users have yet to come to this realization. So, although we have access to a wide variety of information, many people either do not take the time or do not have the skills to sift through this information to find the best sources.
It is my belief that one of the main reasons (besides lack of education) why we use information so poorly is because we just don't want to dedicate the necessary amount of time to the research process. Researching is a process and like most processes, it takes time. In the education world time is difficult to come by. Also, research requires passion. The researcher must have a connection to the topic in order to dedicate time to its exploration. So, logically, if educators want to create more "real-world" research activities for students then they must provide both time and flexibility with subject matter.
For this week I would like you to reflect upon your past learning experiences and create a post that addresses how educators can change their practices to create more realistic and engaging learning opportunities for students.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Cheating
This is the time of year when students get a bit desperate. Third quarter grades will soon be closing. The fourth quarter - the last of the year - is on the horizon. Those students who slacked off during the first half of the year are trying to catch up and improve their GPA. Parents are irate. Teachers are nagging. Students are stressed.
And, when students get stressed, they make poor choices. One of these poor choices is to cheat their way through classes. Now, cheating is not a new thing. In fact, cheating has been a part of teachers' lives for as long as teaching has been a profession (or calling, depending on how you view it). As such, one would think that teachers are experts at recognizing cheating when it occurs. Let me set the record straight here - teachers are NOT experts at recognizing cheating. In fact, many teachers have no understanding of modern forms of cheating. For example, few teachers realize that students share homework information via Facebook chats. Even less teachers are aware that students download full essays from the Internet and turn them in as their own examples of writing. As long as teachers are unaware of the ways students cheat today, the education that they are trying to pass along is degraded.
The question of whether to cheat or not is essentially a moral or ethical question. Many believe that cheating is really sharing or simply taking advantage of resources and opportunities. Others feel that finding, analyzing, and retaining information on your own is the best way to go. As we progress into a future where information is readily available, literally at your fingertips, using this readily available information - for any purpose - is becoming more acceptable. The possible effects stemming from NOT having this information at our fingertips is ignored.
For this week's posting I would like you to read the following articles related to student cheating. Reflect upon the contents and create a posting that showcases your opinions on cheating and also includes references (with parenthetical citations) from the articles.
Professors Use Technology to Fight Student Cheating
University of Central Floria Cheating Scandal
And, when students get stressed, they make poor choices. One of these poor choices is to cheat their way through classes. Now, cheating is not a new thing. In fact, cheating has been a part of teachers' lives for as long as teaching has been a profession (or calling, depending on how you view it). As such, one would think that teachers are experts at recognizing cheating when it occurs. Let me set the record straight here - teachers are NOT experts at recognizing cheating. In fact, many teachers have no understanding of modern forms of cheating. For example, few teachers realize that students share homework information via Facebook chats. Even less teachers are aware that students download full essays from the Internet and turn them in as their own examples of writing. As long as teachers are unaware of the ways students cheat today, the education that they are trying to pass along is degraded.
The question of whether to cheat or not is essentially a moral or ethical question. Many believe that cheating is really sharing or simply taking advantage of resources and opportunities. Others feel that finding, analyzing, and retaining information on your own is the best way to go. As we progress into a future where information is readily available, literally at your fingertips, using this readily available information - for any purpose - is becoming more acceptable. The possible effects stemming from NOT having this information at our fingertips is ignored.
For this week's posting I would like you to read the following articles related to student cheating. Reflect upon the contents and create a posting that showcases your opinions on cheating and also includes references (with parenthetical citations) from the articles.
Professors Use Technology to Fight Student Cheating
University of Central Floria Cheating Scandal
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Old Stories
As we move into our short story unit I would like you all to think about what makes a great story. Many would argue that beyond the typical writing techniques that are hailed (character development, use of literary techniques, etc.), a unique, engaging plot is a necessity of a great story. But, what happens when all of our stories have been told? What happens when, through the glut of social media and ubiquity of entertainment, we have been exposed to most of those stories about human existence that we wish to hear? How then can a unique story be created?
Take a couple of minutes to read Mark Harris' article "The Day the Movies Died" from GQ magazine. Although I don't wholly agree with Harris' argument, I can see the validity with some of what he espouses. Audiences love to hail the films that look interesting or star favorite actors and actresses. Unfortunately, those films that strive to tell a unique story are not given the green light.
Perhaps the most poignant part of Harris' article is at the end when a studio executive admits, "We don't tell stories anymore." He infers in previous portions of the article that the lack of storytelling is due to movie studios sticking with safe scripts, but I would argue that this lack of storytelling is due to a decline in the ability to create new stories. As a result we are seeing a ton of sequels, adaptations, and remakes crowding theaters and "enticing" moviegoers.
What is your opinion on what both Harris and I have to say about the quality of contemporary storytelling? Be sure to use specific examples to support your argument...
Take a couple of minutes to read Mark Harris' article "The Day the Movies Died" from GQ magazine. Although I don't wholly agree with Harris' argument, I can see the validity with some of what he espouses. Audiences love to hail the films that look interesting or star favorite actors and actresses. Unfortunately, those films that strive to tell a unique story are not given the green light.
Perhaps the most poignant part of Harris' article is at the end when a studio executive admits, "We don't tell stories anymore." He infers in previous portions of the article that the lack of storytelling is due to movie studios sticking with safe scripts, but I would argue that this lack of storytelling is due to a decline in the ability to create new stories. As a result we are seeing a ton of sequels, adaptations, and remakes crowding theaters and "enticing" moviegoers.
What is your opinion on what both Harris and I have to say about the quality of contemporary storytelling? Be sure to use specific examples to support your argument...
Monday, February 28, 2011
Story Time
If nothing else, our content over the past two weeks has served as a reminder of how important it is to tell our stories. Yes, our stories may be depressing and they may present humanity in horrific ways, but they are still important.
Every Friday morning during my drive to work I listen to NPR's pick from the StoryCorps project (remember, you listened to some stories too). I always look forward to these 30 second snippets of life. They are not always overtly poignant - at least not in the most commonly accepted way - but they are special moments of clarity that have made a difference with someone, somewhere. Could these stories make a difference elsewhere? Perhaps. And, of course, that is the role of StoryCorps - to record the seemingly unimportant and rather Earth shattering moments that could help someone else in the future.
We tell our stories because our lives are important. When we share elements of our lives with humanity our role on this planet becomes more pronounced. In other words, we make ourselves matter.
Wiesel could have kept his stories hidden deep inside for the rest of his life. We could have never read about his conflicts with his faith or his quest to keep his father alive. But, instead, Wiesel chose to tell his story. And what a story it is! How many lives has this story changed, even in a small way? How many other stories has Wiesel inspired?
For this week, I would like you to tell your own stories. Describe a moment in your life that was important...or not. Make us feel life we are there, right along with you on the journey.
Every Friday morning during my drive to work I listen to NPR's pick from the StoryCorps project (remember, you listened to some stories too). I always look forward to these 30 second snippets of life. They are not always overtly poignant - at least not in the most commonly accepted way - but they are special moments of clarity that have made a difference with someone, somewhere. Could these stories make a difference elsewhere? Perhaps. And, of course, that is the role of StoryCorps - to record the seemingly unimportant and rather Earth shattering moments that could help someone else in the future.
We tell our stories because our lives are important. When we share elements of our lives with humanity our role on this planet becomes more pronounced. In other words, we make ourselves matter.
Wiesel could have kept his stories hidden deep inside for the rest of his life. We could have never read about his conflicts with his faith or his quest to keep his father alive. But, instead, Wiesel chose to tell his story. And what a story it is! How many lives has this story changed, even in a small way? How many other stories has Wiesel inspired?
For this week, I would like you to tell your own stories. Describe a moment in your life that was important...or not. Make us feel life we are there, right along with you on the journey.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Crack a Smile...or Not
At times, being a literature teacher makes me depressed about the world. It should be no secret after eleven years of formal education that the great literature of the world does not present man in the most positive ways. I have my theories about why this is the case...
#1 - Many of our great writers were unhappy souls. When you research the lives of the Poe's and Shakespeares of the world, you find backgrounds full of heartbreak and sadness. Perhaps writing was their way of dealing with this sadness.
#2 - The great stories are meant to be teaching tools. Without these timeless classics we may never learn life lessons that could help us in the future. And how do we best learn life lessons - by making mistakes and dealing with tragedy.
#3 - Art has always been a way for people to critique the times. Why should literature be any different? Through stories like Of Mice and Men and The Odyssey we see how contemporaries of the time felt about their peers, their government, and their environments.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. Art is not always meant to be comfortable or comforting. It is meant to progress thought and foster reflection. Would happy stories do the job? Perhaps, but not as well as the sad stories.
For this week's posting I would like you to elaborate on your views regarding the types of literature that you are exposed to either through school or your own personal reading. Do you feel literature is too depressing? Should we expose ourselves to more optimistic texts? Provide specific examples from your own literary knowledge to support your argument.
#1 - Many of our great writers were unhappy souls. When you research the lives of the Poe's and Shakespeares of the world, you find backgrounds full of heartbreak and sadness. Perhaps writing was their way of dealing with this sadness.
#2 - The great stories are meant to be teaching tools. Without these timeless classics we may never learn life lessons that could help us in the future. And how do we best learn life lessons - by making mistakes and dealing with tragedy.
#3 - Art has always been a way for people to critique the times. Why should literature be any different? Through stories like Of Mice and Men and The Odyssey we see how contemporaries of the time felt about their peers, their government, and their environments.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. Art is not always meant to be comfortable or comforting. It is meant to progress thought and foster reflection. Would happy stories do the job? Perhaps, but not as well as the sad stories.
For this week's posting I would like you to elaborate on your views regarding the types of literature that you are exposed to either through school or your own personal reading. Do you feel literature is too depressing? Should we expose ourselves to more optimistic texts? Provide specific examples from your own literary knowledge to support your argument.
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