I just read an article in the New York Times about these little devices college students bring to class to electronically register attendance.
These "clickers" also register pop quizzes and can be used to do impromptu surveys, which can be very useful in come classes to
But the idea that college students need to be monitored is pretty sad.
We call know students LOVE to sleep in, but by 18-or so they should be responsible enough to actually get to class. Even an 8 a.m. class.
At least most of the time. Sure, a Monday 8 a.m. class after an entire weekend of, shall we say, solving the world's problems, is one thing, but to make a habit of it is just pathetic.
If they don't get to class, they fail. It has always been thus. Just because the technology exists doesn't mean it must be used.
03 January 2011
01 January 2011
Press Pass
I don't consider this blog to be journalism. What I did for many years was journalism. Of course, I never called it that. I called it reporting, photography or editing. Sometimes I called it something less polite.
But I worked to ethics, I worked to standards that today's "citizen journalists" do not. Standards and ethics I fear they don't even understand. They have limited background in research, at least the sort of intensive research we are accustomed to -- sometimes they seem to be lacking in the background in research that comes with an 8th grade theme. They often confuse a combination of listening to others (who may or may not be journalists) and inserting their own opinions with actual journalism.
This isn't a matter of being annoyed that any Tom, Dick or Harriet can post when they haven't paid their dues. Although that is a problem because, as with any profession, there is a reason for working one's way up. The learning curve is necessary. There is so much more than sitting at a computer and typing. There is so much more than stating an opinion, especially the kind of uninformed opinion you so often see these days. Hint, never, never, never, get all your information from just one source.
It seems strange to an old newspaper lady like me that people would write about things they are not expert in expect anyone to read it.
It amazes me even more than anyone would actually read that stuff.
professionals put a good deal of time and effort into learning a trade. "Citizen journalists" are probably well-trained in something. Just not in journalism.
But I worked to ethics, I worked to standards that today's "citizen journalists" do not. Standards and ethics I fear they don't even understand. They have limited background in research, at least the sort of intensive research we are accustomed to -- sometimes they seem to be lacking in the background in research that comes with an 8th grade theme. They often confuse a combination of listening to others (who may or may not be journalists) and inserting their own opinions with actual journalism.
This isn't a matter of being annoyed that any Tom, Dick or Harriet can post when they haven't paid their dues. Although that is a problem because, as with any profession, there is a reason for working one's way up. The learning curve is necessary. There is so much more than sitting at a computer and typing. There is so much more than stating an opinion, especially the kind of uninformed opinion you so often see these days. Hint, never, never, never, get all your information from just one source.
It seems strange to an old newspaper lady like me that people would write about things they are not expert in expect anyone to read it.
It amazes me even more than anyone would actually read that stuff.
professionals put a good deal of time and effort into learning a trade. "Citizen journalists" are probably well-trained in something. Just not in journalism.
31 December 2010
Resolutionary!
So, it's New Year's Eve. Since I am long past the time when standing in Times Square with a million drunks has any appeal, I'm writing a New Year's blog.
The scary thing is I actually agreed with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on something. As much as it makes me nauseous to admit it, I agree that publicly announcing resolutions is pretty dumb. That's inviting people to watch your every move and kvell in Schaedenfreudan delight when you fail.
What would I resolve anyway? I could resolve to lose weight, but that would be redundant. I could resolve to save more money, but I don't really have any. I could resolve to learn more about computers, but that's pretty much impossible. I could resolve to keep my car clean, but I'd break that as soon as they dog wants a ride. So, you see my dilemma.
No resolutions. No champagne. No Times Square. But that doesn't mean I won't have a Happy New Year. You too.
The scary thing is I actually agreed with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on something. As much as it makes me nauseous to admit it, I agree that publicly announcing resolutions is pretty dumb. That's inviting people to watch your every move and kvell in Schaedenfreudan delight when you fail.
What would I resolve anyway? I could resolve to lose weight, but that would be redundant. I could resolve to save more money, but I don't really have any. I could resolve to learn more about computers, but that's pretty much impossible. I could resolve to keep my car clean, but I'd break that as soon as they dog wants a ride. So, you see my dilemma.
No resolutions. No champagne. No Times Square. But that doesn't mean I won't have a Happy New Year. You too.
24 December 2010
Un-Christmas
I have never really been Scrooge-like.
Normally, no matter the stresses, I can push everything aside and concentrate on the holidays, but this year, I am having trouble focusing.
Avoidance of office politics has always been a priority with me. Certainly during the season of Good Will. However, this year, I've been getting serious grief from people at two of my four jobs. (I am no longer a Jamaican with five) And this is coming with no discernible reason, continuing right up to Christmas.
My boss describes this as a "woman thing," an attitude I feel is Neanderthal at best, as well as majorly non-productive. Envy? Jealousy? Is that what he means? Whatever, it only serves to get me depressed.
And, it should serve as a lesson. Playing politics is un-Christmas.
Normally, no matter the stresses, I can push everything aside and concentrate on the holidays, but this year, I am having trouble focusing.
Avoidance of office politics has always been a priority with me. Certainly during the season of Good Will. However, this year, I've been getting serious grief from people at two of my four jobs. (I am no longer a Jamaican with five) And this is coming with no discernible reason, continuing right up to Christmas.
My boss describes this as a "woman thing," an attitude I feel is Neanderthal at best, as well as majorly non-productive. Envy? Jealousy? Is that what he means? Whatever, it only serves to get me depressed.
And, it should serve as a lesson. Playing politics is un-Christmas.
10 November 2010
One of the scarier things about the Rabid Right is they sincerely believe the left is contemptuous of work.
That's interesting, since the left has often been accused of creating make-work jobs.
There is a difference between creating a safety net and encouraging a culture of living on the dole.
Certainly, that culture has developed, but that isn't the goal of the left and no one with any sense thinks that it is.
If the Rabid Righters actually checked the voting records of the "lefties" they hate so much, they would notice many of them support and introduce legislation that aids small businesses who create 62% of the jobs in America.
That's interesting, since the left has often been accused of creating make-work jobs.
There is a difference between creating a safety net and encouraging a culture of living on the dole.
Certainly, that culture has developed, but that isn't the goal of the left and no one with any sense thinks that it is.
If the Rabid Righters actually checked the voting records of the "lefties" they hate so much, they would notice many of them support and introduce legislation that aids small businesses who create 62% of the jobs in America.
09 November 2010
Giraffe
Dr. Kalabash once said a tenured professor could only be fired for having intimate relations with a giraffe on the college Oval.
While that may be an exaggeration, it's not really too far off the mark.
But, at least college professors have to earn their tenure in the first place. It isn't automatically granted after 3 years. They have to do some work: create a dossier and be reviewed by a tenure committee and their department chair. The same should be true for public school teachers. If public school teachers support the system, they should be willing to serve on tenure committees for their peers.
They should also support merit bonuses.
Sure politics can invade the evaluation system, but maybe if there were fewer administrators they would have less time to be political. The first overhaul should be to the administrators, then tenue. It would fix a lot.
While that may be an exaggeration, it's not really too far off the mark.
But, at least college professors have to earn their tenure in the first place. It isn't automatically granted after 3 years. They have to do some work: create a dossier and be reviewed by a tenure committee and their department chair. The same should be true for public school teachers. If public school teachers support the system, they should be willing to serve on tenure committees for their peers.
They should also support merit bonuses.
Sure politics can invade the evaluation system, but maybe if there were fewer administrators they would have less time to be political. The first overhaul should be to the administrators, then tenue. It would fix a lot.
04 November 2010
Sexy Cowgirls Have Messy Kitchens
I used to have one of those houses where everything was in its place and clean. I even had houseplants. They lived! And not just the aloe plants and the cacti I watered whenever it rained in Las Cruces. I had a Norfolk Island Pine that grew to be about three feet tall. Sure, there was cat hair wafting around occasionally, but the place looked great. Then, I married a pack-rat. Actually, a cluttermeleon. A cluttermeleon is one step worse than a pack-rat. A cluttermeleon keeps so much stuff he loses himself in it. It's contagious, too. Not that I was choosing to keep stuff, just that I got tired of getting rid of stuff I considered valuable so he could keep boxes of faded receipts and out of date catalogs. This guy was a Collier Brother in the making.
I finally got tired of cleaning. Whereas I previously cleaned everything, I started finding myself exhausted whenever I started. Finally, I realized I wasn't physically tired, I was emotionally tired. So, I got out of the marriage.
Now, my house isn't perfect, to say the least, but it's better. It's down to the "sexy cowgirls have messy kitchens" catagory.
I finally got tired of cleaning. Whereas I previously cleaned everything, I started finding myself exhausted whenever I started. Finally, I realized I wasn't physically tired, I was emotionally tired. So, I got out of the marriage.
Now, my house isn't perfect, to say the least, but it's better. It's down to the "sexy cowgirls have messy kitchens" catagory.
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