On Final Exams
A recent article in the National Post suggests that exams are passé. Joseph Brean writes, Psychologists have a quip about IQ tests — the only thing they measure is your…
Teaching
The Religious Extremism of New Atheists
I wrote a tiny blurb about this over a month ago. This one is much longer and leans heavily on solid arguments from many critics – letting their words speak…
On Teaching Topics Instead of Subjects
Finland’s got one of the best education systems in the world. But it doesn’t follow that every idea they have is necessarily and entirely a good idea. And this newest…
Changing the Curriculum
Months ago, Kathleen Wynne proposed guidelines for sex ed in Ontario, and many parents are still furious. A group called Campaign Life Coalition has put quite a spin on it…
I’m teaching copywriting at UBC
This week I begin teaching a UBC Continuing Studies course on copywriting. While I’ve given plenty of workshops and conference presentations, I’m very much looking forward to working with the…
On Restricting Free Speech
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” – Evelyn Beatrice Hall I’m not so sure I agree with Ms.…
On Sex Ed, Double Standards, and the Red Herring of Consent
We discussed Erin Anderson’s article from Friday’s Globe and Mail in my philosophy class on Friday, and it provoked a whole gamut of topics. I’ll try to encapsulate some of…
AER Strategies
Margaret Wente recently wrote about a teacher, Lynden Dorval, who was fired for giving students zeros when they didn’t complete assignments. Fellow teachers argued his case: “They told the tribunal…
The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains
I love Nicholas Carr’s book. There are lots of studies and science mixed with many stories and asides and discussions of philosophers and other great thinkers. It reminded me of…
Just Not Ready to Laugh at Climate Change
We had a great end-of-year send off by a few teachers who took the time and effort to make the final day entertaining. Years ago, we had a team that…
EQAO, Literacy and Ability
My 9-year-old says that EQAO stands for Evil Questions Attacking Ontario. I think she’s on to something. We just administered the literacy test at our school this week. I’ve always…
What Do Teachers Want?
I seem to have missed hitting “publish” on this one from a few days ago: I’ve gleaned, from Steve Paikin’s twitter feed, a version of teachers that don’t fit the…
Backing for My Views on Education
There’s an article in The Spectator, and a new book out (at your left there), that says everything I’ve been saying about education for a couple years now. It’s actually…
Learning with the Olympics
We’ve been warned not to say anything publicly that could make our board or school or identifiable colleagues look bad in any way. I don’t think I’m doing that here.…
Further to York University’s Discrimination Issues…
If you haven’t heard, a York University prof denied a student’s request to work in all male groups for religious reasons. York’s Centre for Human Rights suggested the student should…
On the New Math
Elizabeth Renzetti has a funny and somewhat insightful article in the Globe & Mail today about our obsession with math. In a nutshell, we’re equating math with jobs. She says,…
Teacher Blogging Challenge Meme
I had a neighbour question my blogging habits. I told him I love to get my thoughts down in writing. He scoffed, “But why put it out there for others…
Zero-tolerance No-Touching Rule… for Kindergarteners?
I’ll never forget the first day I got called in to teach a Kindergarten class. It was probably one of the most terrifying experiences of my life to see 30
Unexpected Side Effects
It’s about teaching again. We used to deduct 5% each day an assignment was late, and after one week, it gets a big fat zero. Typically I’d get almost all…
It Doesn’t Matter
It doesn’t matter why they’re dressed as a tiger, have they got my leg? Just one more thing about educational reform. Well, for the weekend at least. It relates to…