Of course I read the piece with interest. In it, the author outlines many of the same problems with school that I have observed myself and tried to write about: an outdated and irrelevant curriculum, arbitrary and meaningless grades that are frequently demeaning and most often take the place of detailed evaluations, and unreasonable restrictiveness aimed at controlling and punishing the misbehaved rather than encouraging the learner.
This guy makes a clear and compelling case, and I would include the link here, were it not for the fact that this web page happens to be part of a site that offers custom research papers for sale to students. Forty bucks a page and a click on the radio button acknowledging that you have consulted your instructor to ensure that using this service is okay with your educational institution, and you will have your own "ghost writer" to assist you on a given assignment. Hmmm...
I'm not interested in spreading that particular word, but I guess it makes sense in a very loose Robin Hood kind of a way-- perhaps in order to express disapproval of an imperfect system, these folks offer students a way to undermine it. If only they weren't working for a profit, and if only they weren't helping students cheat to succeed within the very system they criticize, I might have an easier time accepting their good intentions.
Suppose someone wanted to really change things, though. What might be the best way to go about that-- from within or from without?
This guy makes a clear and compelling case, and I would include the link here, were it not for the fact that this web page happens to be part of a site that offers custom research papers for sale to students. Forty bucks a page and a click on the radio button acknowledging that you have consulted your instructor to ensure that using this service is okay with your educational institution, and you will have your own "ghost writer" to assist you on a given assignment. Hmmm...
I'm not interested in spreading that particular word, but I guess it makes sense in a very loose Robin Hood kind of a way-- perhaps in order to express disapproval of an imperfect system, these folks offer students a way to undermine it. If only they weren't working for a profit, and if only they weren't helping students cheat to succeed within the very system they criticize, I might have an easier time accepting their good intentions.
Suppose someone wanted to really change things, though. What might be the best way to go about that-- from within or from without?
I think sometimes as teachers we believe our own bad press. Do you consider yourself a bad teacher? Judging from what I've read, I'd guess you're a pretty dang good teacher. I feel like I'm a good teacher as well.
ReplyDeleteBut I think that these assessments are sometimes overblown and a reaction to the general decline of the preparedness of students to "do school." They've been taught to "do" television, self-congratulatory sports, video games, living a sort of blissfully "I'm the Center of My Universe" sort of existence, only more so. (I've been trying all semester to teach my students to write in the more formal third-person voice, as they are so calcified into the first person, Me-As-Filter voice. It's a struggle.)
And can schools contribute to the bad Karma? Oh, yeah and between us both we could probably make a mile-long list. But to hold schools solely responsible for a lack of preparedness I think is unfair.
I remember my mother saying things like "well, you won't be able to do that in first grade," or "in first grade they'll expect you to do X" subtly teaching me that I was expected to do my part.
And now? Only the teachers and the schools are to do their part, and we both know how that will come out, if the student doesn't have buy-in.
Like I said before, it's a struggle. Keep writing--I'm enjoying your explorations.
Elizabeth
Pen*Ink*Paper
I couldn't figure out the connection between the article on why kids hate school was a part of a web site that sells research papers. Does it make his arguments lose credibility?
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, as always, thank you for your comments. It's nice to know someone is reading so regularly and so closely.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Mary. I revised a little to make it more clear. Let me know what you think.
Actually, I wasn't confused by what you wrote...that was clear. I was wondering why a guy that sells research papers would include his thoughts on why kids hate school on his website. So I guess it's me whose thoughts were muddled.
ReplyDelete