Philosophy
Strange that we don't ask this question before we begin to teach, but what is it that can be taught?
Skills can be taught. That seems uncontroversial. But what else?
As a teacher of critical thinking, can people be taught to be rational? As an ethics teacher, can people be taught to be good? to be empathetic? to be caring? Can you be taught to find great art beautiful? Can you teach someone to be creative? You could teach them new techniques to channel their creativity by, say, teaching them the form of a sonnet, but can you teach someone to be more creative than they were before the lessons? You can teach someone to play an instrument, but can you teach them to play with with feeling or soul?
What can and cannot be taught?
- Those Who Can't Do Teach?
Ozzie Guillen who now manages the Chicago White Sox also played for them, having been the Rookie of the Year and named to the All Star Team three times. He bristles at the admiration given to Buck Showalter, now managing the Baltimore Orioles, who was...
- Darwinians Should Teach The Controversy
I think it is wrong for our science students not to be taught the controversy surrounding Darwinian evolution in public high schools. Of course, I'm not speaking about intelligent design creationism here, but other controversies. I'll never forget...
- Why I Teach
I generally don't respond to memes, but (1) I was tagged on this one by someone whose blog I love, Dr. Free Ride of Adventures in Ethics and Science and (2) it's an interesting question: "Why do you teach and why is academic freedom critical to...
- Watch Out! I'm Dangerous!
With so much competition these days, it?s hard to get any recognition for your efforts in corrupting the youth. But every once in a while... One of the classes that I, Aspazia, and everyone else in our department teaches, a course that goes by the seemingly...
- A Career Of Teaching Chemistry...jim Baker
Jim Baker 1976 He reminds me of James Hilton's Mr. Chips...a dedicated teacher over the decades. "Teaching chemistry is my career and my hobby" Jim Baker went into teaching because he enjoyed passing on his knowledge. After 42 years, despite how...
Philosophy
What Can be Taught?
Strange that we don't ask this question before we begin to teach, but what is it that can be taught?
Skills can be taught. That seems uncontroversial. But what else?
As a teacher of critical thinking, can people be taught to be rational? As an ethics teacher, can people be taught to be good? to be empathetic? to be caring? Can you be taught to find great art beautiful? Can you teach someone to be creative? You could teach them new techniques to channel their creativity by, say, teaching them the form of a sonnet, but can you teach someone to be more creative than they were before the lessons? You can teach someone to play an instrument, but can you teach them to play with with feeling or soul?
What can and cannot be taught?
- Those Who Can't Do Teach?
Ozzie Guillen who now manages the Chicago White Sox also played for them, having been the Rookie of the Year and named to the All Star Team three times. He bristles at the admiration given to Buck Showalter, now managing the Baltimore Orioles, who was...
- Darwinians Should Teach The Controversy
I think it is wrong for our science students not to be taught the controversy surrounding Darwinian evolution in public high schools. Of course, I'm not speaking about intelligent design creationism here, but other controversies. I'll never forget...
- Why I Teach
I generally don't respond to memes, but (1) I was tagged on this one by someone whose blog I love, Dr. Free Ride of Adventures in Ethics and Science and (2) it's an interesting question: "Why do you teach and why is academic freedom critical to...
- Watch Out! I'm Dangerous!
With so much competition these days, it?s hard to get any recognition for your efforts in corrupting the youth. But every once in a while... One of the classes that I, Aspazia, and everyone else in our department teaches, a course that goes by the seemingly...
- A Career Of Teaching Chemistry...jim Baker
Jim Baker 1976 He reminds me of James Hilton's Mr. Chips...a dedicated teacher over the decades. "Teaching chemistry is my career and my hobby" Jim Baker went into teaching because he enjoyed passing on his knowledge. After 42 years, despite how...