So I saw the pile of four books with which my colleague, hired after me, is coming up for promotion and I said: why have I not produced four books? But my colleague was hired with joy, not begrudgingly, and was welcomed upon his arrival, not suspected of low designs. He has a housewife who … More On meritocracies
At this point I would consider, for six figures, a job in language program — almost — because I have so much experience of the language program wars, I might as well. I could do better than the average, narrow SLA person, I am sure. Everyone wants to get the language program taken care of … More A hypothesis.
Students in Spanish 3 think it is strange I would assume acquiring the ability to speak Spanish is the goal. They and their instructors say I am cracked, while random chairs at other universities write in and say they do not know me but I seem to be someone they would want to talk to. … More It is happening again
“One of my oldest crusades is against the distinction between thought and feeling, which is really the basis of all anti-intellectual views: the heart and the head, thinking and feeling, fantasy and judgment . . . and I don’t believe it’s true. . . . I have the impression that thinking is a form of … More Life of the mind.
It is a week or so early but I am declaring myself undepressed now for four months, although November is always stressful. I had an emotional crisis that I let run, so that I could see what it was. I could have shut it off by keeping busy, but I wanted to see what it was. … More Four months
Luis Enrique Galván has an article by this title in Amauta 20 (January 1929): 58-63. It is a brilliant critique of examinations, particularly standardized tests, and particularly those administered by a central authority. “Como un regazo anacrónico de las viejas máquinas usadas para la tortura escolar, desde las humildes escuelitas primarias hasta nuestras universidades hinchadas de … More La psico-pedagogía de los exámenes
Dear Z, I hope you enjoyed The Modern and the Postmodern. If you would like to support Wesleyan’s effort to offer future Coursera courses, please consider making a gift to the Wesleyan Fund in support of online education by clicking here. Any amount you are able to donate will be greatly appreciated. Of course, this … More I will e-mail Michael Roth, after all.
Does your university offer this? “Please join us for a fun and furry event during finals week. On Wednesday, December 11, certified therapy dogs will be visiting the library to help students de-stress during the busiest time of the semester. Therapy dogs and their handlers will be on the first floor of the Library from … More New
I do not think of myself as a teacher of foreign languages or have a great interest in this but I am a zealot if required. This is my manifesto. 1. The custom of presenting all grammar in the first year, and reviewing it in the second, is incoherent and must be revised. 2. The … More Manifesto
“Teaching to the test and a culturally indoctrinated fear of failure leaves many students confused (and therefore angry) when confronted with thinking.” I should print this out and post it on my door. This text is also very important. #OccupyHE. Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 