Tuesday, December 23, 2008

\\ Screen & Media Studies - Writing essays //

Our traditional view of academic work is often very misleading. The process of study is frequently thought of as being primarily about reading. We speak of someone 'reading' for a degree: "She read Classics at Cambridge;" or "He's reading for a degree in Political Science." The popular image of the diligent student is of someone pouring(sic) over large tomes late into the night, surrounded by stacks of even more books, as yet unread. When this process of reading has been accomplished, it is assumed that the student will have completed his or her studies. They will have read their way through their discipline.It isn't like this. Being a student is a job like any other. Ultimately, it's not about consumption but production. Of course, reading plays a very large part in this; but it's not an end in itself. The purpose of reading is to gather materials in order to write.
\\ Screen & Media Studies - Writing essays //

'The Objective of Education Is Learning, Not Teaching'

"Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth learning can be taught." -- Oscar Wilde

How long ago did you teach your first class?"

I responded, "In September of 1941."

"Wow!" The student said. "You mean to say you have been teaching for more than 60 years?"

"Yes."

"When did you last teach a course in a subject that existed when you were a student?"

This difficult question required some thought. After a pause, I said, "September of 1951."

"Wow! You mean to say that everything you have taught in more than 50 years was not taught to you; you had to learn on your own?"

"Right."

"You must be a pretty good learner."

I modestly agreed.

The student then said, "What a shame you're not that good a teacher."

The student had it right; what most faculty members are good at, if anything, is learning rather than teaching. Recall that in the one-room schoolhouse, students taught students. The teacher served as a guide and a resource but not as one who force-fed content into students' minds.


'The Objective of Education Is Learning, Not Teaching' - Knowledge@Wharton

Really interesting article. Also ref the book - Turning Learning Right Side Up: Putting Education Back on Track, authors Russell L. Ackoff and Daniel Greenberg

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Netsafe.org.nz

"NetSafe provides cybersafety education for all New Zealanders - children, parents, schools, community organisations and businesses.  NetSafe's aim is to educate all New Zealanders about safe, secure and responsible use of information and communication technology."

They also provide a toolkit of policies and resources for schools in order for them to implement cyber-use in the school safely.
Netsafe.org.nz