Kathy Maves on tue 15 jan 02
Hi Bob,
You wrote,
> (If anyone feels the need to respond to this,
> remember, I already acknowledged that this is a rant
> based on my own agenda and paranoia, and does not
> necessarily have anything to do with anything
> outside of the warped microcosm of my own mind.)
Does my replying mean that I'm warped too? ;^)
You wrote,
>I have got to say, things got a
> bit nasty and personal in some of those comments.
> Take it easy! We're potters, we are supposed to be
> laid back!!!
and,
>Why
> potters, of all people, can't learn to accept each
> others strengths and weaknesses is beyond me.
Which is, of course, true. But, with a background of
5 years of college educational courses (3 schools) and
teaching experience in a number of disciplines
(including English as a Second Language), your comment
seems just a touch ironic because you go on to say,
> These kind of teaching methods have their place
> in
> grade-school, but in a university setting this sort
> of
> pretentious, semi-legitimate psychology is of almost
> no use. In my experience as a student (3yrs 2
> universities), the best and most experienced
> teachers
> regard the methods that Rafael sited as the empty
> buzz-words they are.
Perhaps, an instructor's use of so called
"buzz-words," popular methodologies, or the three R's
is mostly a matter of semantics. Is it really
possible to judge a teacher's success or failure from
the vantage point of an internet discussion list? I
wish that it were so easy!
The recent thread on the Meyers-Briggs test is a
sign of an attempt to understand each other, despite
the on-going spats. Obviously, that is pop
psychology. If that makes it illegitimate in your
eyes, I'd like to know why.
Innovative ideas in education are often an honest,
if imperfect, attempt to reach out to different
strengths and weaknesses in the students.
Everyone who has an education has had difficult
experiences with teachers. However, this does not
necessarily justify damning modern educational
idealogy. Every teacher I've studied under did
circumvent textbook "buzz-words." But, without
exception, they integrated many of those ideals into
an intuitive, working model.
It always heartens me to hear people debating about
education because sometimes, the organization truly is
the content. So here's my one humble, little
suggestion. Since you are clearly passionate about
education, teach. Volunteer at some local
organization and teach something, anything, that you
know well. Soon, you'll be a junkie for it, just like
clay! Volunteering is a great way to bring the real
asset back into the community, not money but yourself.
Warm Regards,
Kathy
Barronett, WI
kathymaves@yahoo.com
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