I like how she pointed out the absurdity of trying to teach 30 people in a single class. This has never worked and will never work because learning is by nature individualized. We need to return to the old model of independent study guided by a tutor. It's more expensive, but it produces vastly superior results.
I've often wondered of a hybrid model, where larger "lecture" styles of classroom still exist, but there is a somewhat standardized practice of older students tutoring younger students. School-time could be an almost 50-50 split of the two, along with independent study and group activities. I don't see this working out for cities in today's fucked up society, but within smaller rural school districts, a tutoring paradigm could go long a long way, and a simple amendment to current schooling. (harmoniously pairing students together is the big curveball there)
Having students explain things to each other is an excellent way to make sure that they actually understand what they're doing. It forces them to be active, which is the key to learning. This is my big problem with lectures -- it's too easy to simply *watch* instead of *do*.
Like you said, though, this requires a functioning culture.
Today most, if not all, public schools are indoctrination centers w/ the embedded CRT ideology in every subject. Gone are the academics presented as is to educate students so they can then apply what they learn & actually form their critical thinking skills. Common Core claimed to produce “critical thinking” but it’s anything but. It’s cookie cutter classrooms.
Furthermore the colleges preparing future teachers use the same ideology in teaching them; basically they are taught how to teach CRT & SEL. If they go “rogue” they are not welcomed.
Note: CRT (the ideology) is not just race; it’s expanded into gender, etc.
SEL is Social Emotional Learning which has been called the delivery system of CRT.
I share substack articles with a friend When I first started sending them I told her to read the comments. Sometimes some of the best information, or the funniest comments, is in the comments section.
i have no plans to start a substack, but I do really enjoy all the comments sections, as you said in your piece, these can be just as insightful as the posts themselves.
Amazing quote and amazing letter. I am sad to say that I can find no one in my friend and family group that has the bandwidth to read it all and think about it. They are in denial and it's just too hard. I find myself so frustrated...
A similar sentiment, which I have expressed a number of times in a number of ways on various topics, goes something like "If you can't explain, even in basic concept, what a 'peering agreement' is, then you do not have an opinion on Net Neutrality. You have *someone else's* opinion on Net Neutrality and you're just parroting it. Because you don't understand the topic well enough to have an opinion on it."
I think the theme I was going for there in how it related was that modern "teaching" is just teaching kids other people's opinions, not how to form them. But to be fair, I may well have also typed it in the wrong tab. 🤪
The resignation letter is a definite must read.
So good!
I like how she pointed out the absurdity of trying to teach 30 people in a single class. This has never worked and will never work because learning is by nature individualized. We need to return to the old model of independent study guided by a tutor. It's more expensive, but it produces vastly superior results.
I've often wondered of a hybrid model, where larger "lecture" styles of classroom still exist, but there is a somewhat standardized practice of older students tutoring younger students. School-time could be an almost 50-50 split of the two, along with independent study and group activities. I don't see this working out for cities in today's fucked up society, but within smaller rural school districts, a tutoring paradigm could go long a long way, and a simple amendment to current schooling. (harmoniously pairing students together is the big curveball there)
Having students explain things to each other is an excellent way to make sure that they actually understand what they're doing. It forces them to be active, which is the key to learning. This is my big problem with lectures -- it's too easy to simply *watch* instead of *do*.
Like you said, though, this requires a functioning culture.
We can get there. It all starts with intention. And intellectual bravery.
Today most, if not all, public schools are indoctrination centers w/ the embedded CRT ideology in every subject. Gone are the academics presented as is to educate students so they can then apply what they learn & actually form their critical thinking skills. Common Core claimed to produce “critical thinking” but it’s anything but. It’s cookie cutter classrooms.
Furthermore the colleges preparing future teachers use the same ideology in teaching them; basically they are taught how to teach CRT & SEL. If they go “rogue” they are not welcomed.
Note: CRT (the ideology) is not just race; it’s expanded into gender, etc.
SEL is Social Emotional Learning which has been called the delivery system of CRT.
Spot on!
I think we need to go back to the primary sources -- Euclid, Virgil, Homer, Bach, etc. All secondary sources have a political agenda.
I never skip the comments either :D and have gotten to know other substackers that way too. Such a great community!
I share substack articles with a friend When I first started sending them I told her to read the comments. Sometimes some of the best information, or the funniest comments, is in the comments section.
Hey, great article and thanks so much for using my comment. I'm very flattered.
I will def be subscribing here...
Cheers!
Let's us know if you ever start your own, very insightful stuff!!
i have no plans to start a substack, but I do really enjoy all the comments sections, as you said in your piece, these can be just as insightful as the posts themselves.
will def be seeing u out there!
Could not agree more! We need to return to celebrating courage and encouraging people to express their OWN opinions.
I wrote about a related topic recently. Hope you check it out:
https://open.substack.com/pub/thecriticalmiddle/p/take-back-your-mind?utm_source=direct&r=1sr0c7&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Interesting. Subscribed!
Thank you! I just started writing on Substack a few weeks ago.. check out the “back issues” and I hope to have a new post out soon.
Amazing quote and amazing letter. I am sad to say that I can find no one in my friend and family group that has the bandwidth to read it all and think about it. They are in denial and it's just too hard. I find myself so frustrated...
We will figure out solutions. Not only will we fix this, but we will create the best societies possible. But sadly, this is where it starts.
From your lips to god's ears....
A similar sentiment, which I have expressed a number of times in a number of ways on various topics, goes something like "If you can't explain, even in basic concept, what a 'peering agreement' is, then you do not have an opinion on Net Neutrality. You have *someone else's* opinion on Net Neutrality and you're just parroting it. Because you don't understand the topic well enough to have an opinion on it."
This comment is super interesting, but was it meant for right here?
I think the theme I was going for there in how it related was that modern "teaching" is just teaching kids other people's opinions, not how to form them. But to be fair, I may well have also typed it in the wrong tab. 🤪