Something New

Dear Readers,

You may recall an earlier post in which I said, and I quote...

There must be a message in seven years of fruitlessly beating my head against the walls INside my edschool.  But maybe the message is not, "These people cannot or will not change. They are simply hopeless."  Maybe the message is for....Professor Plum! 

"Hey, Stupid!  Let it GO!  This is not about YOU and your WILL. It's about the KIDS.  I'm trying to tell you to TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE!  Do I have to smite your sorry ass?"

In other words, Professor Plum has been as intransigent in fighting ("I'll hound them 'till they change.") and therefore just as wasteful of resources and kids' lives as his collards.  And for much the same reason--ego.

Okay, message received.  I've been given the chance to do more useful things. Henceforth, I'll do them, and nothing but them, like writing for folks who might benefit from my guff.

I try (occasionally with success) to be a man of my word.  Therefore, I have decided to create a regulation website where I can post powerpoints, word documents, and video and audio (if I can figure out how) that might be of use to teachers, administrators, ed students, the public in general, critics of diseducation, and of course you.  Stuff on how to teach (esp. reading, history, logic, and text comprehension in general), how to design and evaluate instruction, how to distinguish fads and other nonsense from sound ideas and methods, how to educate kids with disabilities.

To be honest, guys, I have run out of rants.  I've said it all.  I am beginning to repeat myself.  The last thing I want (aside from a sharp stick in the eye or a fridge devoid of beer) is to bore youse.   We have, figuratively, kicked the living $#@T out of the eduhacks.  Perhaps it's time to offer solid alternatives--something that removes their reason for living--which I hope to do.

Regarding reports on day to day matters in edland, there are far better commentators than I--many on my bog roll.  It makes no sense for me to read them and then report on what THEY say.  [How stupid is that!]

I will get a webhost that offers all sorts of stuff including a blog.

I hope we continue to communicate.  In fact, I would like to have a website where likeminded folks work together, asking questions and generating solutions.

It would be neat to develop an EFFECTIVE and SANE alternative to ed schools right here on the internet, much as Rory Donaldson has done...

http://brainsarefun.com/

The new site will be up in a day or so.  I'll let you know.  Till then, check this guy if you've a mind to.  He's almost as demented as I am...

http://people.uncw.edu/kozloffm/

Comments

[disconnect]

Something I read seems appropriate here: "You can put some people into a room with six doors, and they'll still walk into the walls, and then have the nerve to bitch about it." "But sometimes it's easier to walk into the walls. Especially if you're afraid of what's on the other side." (_Drawing of the Three_, Stephen King) (paraphrased, natch)

Thank you for choosing the door; if you continue to post solutions, I promise to keep reading. I can't guarantee that I'll get anything accomplished, but you will have at least one set of parents firmly on your side.

[instructivist]

One thing I would like to see is a popular forum where teachers can congregate and vent what is on their minds. With millions of teachers out there, one would assume that it should be possible to have at least a handful of active participants.

The type of forum should preferably be of the non-threaded type so one can gain an easy overview of what has been posted. A model could be the type of forum SW used by the NYT.

[Garbo]

"Regarding reports on day to day matters in edland, there are far better commentators than I..."

That depends on your definition of "better." In terms of sheer imagery, you've got them all beat. Who could top the "billowy edubutt?" The wheat-sprouting diaper? The funnel-web-dwelling colleague?

Thanks for the inspiration, education, and some great laughs at a time when I've really needed them. I await "something new" with bated breath...I did try "baited" breath once, when a dead ringer for Tom Cruise headed for the bar stool next to mine and I quickly popped a breath mint...but it didn't work, so I'm back to "bated."

[Quincy]

Plum -

In addition to your insights on teaching, you should also give us some insights on how you rant so vividly and prolifically. In fact, I dub thee LotR, or Lord of the Rant.

[plum]

Thanks so much for your kind comments.

As to rant rate, last night a student said, "You're a violent man, aren't you?" I said, "Well, duhhhh!"

I had just told the class that I thought the best way to handle whole languagists was to kick them down the street. In fact, up and down the street. Pinhead Pong. I guess the student thought this was meaningful.

[Quincy]

Plum -

You only advocate kickin' them down (and up) the street? Geez, I thought you'd be in favor of creating some fine pieces of martial art, i.e. bruises in the shape of an M1 buttplate.

[og]

I await with bated breath.

[Mr. Bass]

I too look forward to the site. As a new teacher, I feel like the methods of my "team member" are outdated and inefficient. Our joint planning time is a waste of time for me. You should have seen the look in her eyes and tone I got when I dared to suggest whole language was a less than ideal approach.

When I think about planning instruction, I keep wondering why it seems like many teachers are glossing over, or are slaves to our adopted materials. Organization for instruction is key.