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The (Shorter?) Ride Home
Interesting, in light of my recent post about homesickness, that I just read this article by Joe Palca today (published yesterday on NPR) about the frequent perception that the ride home from a trip is shorter than the trip to the destination, even if they take the same amount of time. In 1969, astronaut Alan […]
Update: A Response on Math Ed
After this recent post on the state of mathematics education, I was pointed to this response by Al Cuoco (HT: former guest blogger Corey Andreasen). Here is the introduction: A recent editorial in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/opinion/how-to-fix-our-math-education.html puts forth a plan to “fix math education.” I’m disappointed. The arguments presented are variations on themes […]
Feeling Homesick?
Interesting article from George Mason’s History News Network on the feeling of homesickness, and its long predicted demise. (HT: John Fea) For over one hundred years pundits have predicted that advancing means of technology, especially in communication, would help to end homesickness. Lately, it has been thought that the pervasiveness (or perniciousness, if you prefer) […]
The Difference in the First Week
Thanks to John Fea’s Sunday Night Odds and Ends post for this reminder that the first week of classes is never quite the same as the rest of the semester, and therefore can be a poor predictor of the rest of the semester: If you’ve taught before, or even just been a student before (which […]
On Campaign Negativity
An interesting discussion of the effect of negative (or attack) campaign ads was sparked by the recent lead-up to the recall elections in Wisconsin. (For the motivation for these recall elections, you can see this post from a guest blogger and this post on the accusations aimed at the governors campaign, and the discussion in […]
Another Case of Bad Studies Getting More Press
After yesterday’s post about bad science, I came across this article about another scientist that is being singled out for nothing more (apparently) than pointing out that the better studies show the weakest link between soda and childhood obesity. I would think this would be good news, but apparently not. And ABC seems to be […]
Who Needs Science?
Apparently, this describes well the view of some lobbyists and lawmakers in our culture. Who needs to check science, or trust experts when we have already made up our minds from a few badly run studies that have since been refuted by many bigger, better run studies.? They’ve made up their minds, and want to […]
A Fuller Picture of MLK Jr.
Thanks again to John Fea for a thought provoking post. He points us to a piece from Michael Kazin, who calls on conservatives to stop co-opting some of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s teachings and activism, while ignoring other parts. Here is the beginning of his writing (which borders on rant at some […]
True Leadership
Can you imagine intentionally retiring so that you could sign a new contract for less money? What about if you are the leader of your company, and you agree to take less than a first year employee? The Fresno County (CA) Superintendent of Schools just did this. I found this story an impressive display of […]
Fixing Mathematics Education
An interesting article about Mathematics Education from the New York Times came out last week. The suggestion is that we should reevaluate our focus and concern. Here is a snippet: Today, American high schools offer a sequence of algebra, geometry, more algebra, pre-calculus and calculus (or a “reform” version in which these topics are interwoven). […]
No Longer Normal 