Random musings from the feminist Christian antiracist left – some having to do with Ubuntu
Even though some people have accused me of being a blind Obama follower, I’m actually not that big a fan. I like him. He’s okay… for a politician. I really voted for Kucinich in the primaries, and if Clinton had won the primaries, I’d have voted for her for president. The truth is, with all… Continue reading Obama won’t fix education in this country
I know some people like to go to sleep in total silence. They want tranquility. They’re entitled to that. My wife and I used to go to sleep to the TV. Now we’ve switched over to NPR (National Public Radio). Last night was a little funny. We were listening to NPR and there was a… Continue reading Battle of the NPR snores
If you’ve ever worked as a teacher in a high school, you’ve probably had to play “the game” with your students. You become acutely aware of how awkward “the game” is when you start talking about school events with adult friends of yours who do not work in education. Here’s how such an exchange between… Continue reading Why schools play “the game” with students
Computer illiteracy It’s very likely that you know someone who self-identifies as “computer illiterate.” That person may even be proud of being so. I was once one of these people. I was one of these people for a long time. In fact, I was quite offended when my Latin teacher in high school thought I… Continue reading Why I finally embraced computer literacy
Frequently, in online discussions of the putting of Linux and/or open source in schools, the idea of preparing children for the Windows-dominated workplace comes up. The idea is that most workplaces use Windows and Microsoft Office and will sometimes even require proficiency in certain Windows applications, so how would putting Linux and open source software… Continue reading Teach kids computer skills, not computer programs
Usually when it comes to educational issues… or any issue, really, I have strong opinions, but tracking in schools is an issue I have mixed feelings about. I’ve worked in five different high schools, and have seen tracked curriculum and untracked curriculum in action in various subjects, and I have to say it’s hard to… Continue reading The Tracking Problem
Time=learning. So, more time=more learning. Good schools have good teachers. So, better teachers=better schools. Testing discourages social promotion Tracking solves most classroom learning problems Lack of tracking solves most classroom learning problems Individual teachers create educational revolution (think Dangerous Minds and Stand and Deliver) Students do not care about education What schools actually need Student-teachers… Continue reading Myths About What Schools Need
When I began thinking about teaching, I began it with a rather self-centered outlook: I will teach the way I wanted my teachers to teach me. I will be the kind of teacher I’d always wanted in high school. I also had a dream to be the revolutionary teacher from such faux-inspirational films as Stand… Continue reading Reflections on Teaching