Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Best Method of Teaching

Marshall McLuhan in the early 1970sImage via Wikipedia
"Christ adopted the teaching procedure of close personal contact because that remains the best method of teaching. Cold print separates precept from example, the style from the man; the greatest teachers convey their knowledge on a person-to-person level, and leave the books to the scribes."

- Dennis Duffy. Canadian Writes: A Subseries: Marshall McLuhan. McClelland and Stewart Limited: Toronto, 1967 pg 24-25
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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Three Ways Media Exerts Power

What's in my Computer Bits BagImage by Nick J Adams via Flickr
"Media exert their power over our kids in three ways.

First, kids are born to copy, and media provide ready models for our kids to imitate.

Second, media define social norms.

Third, stories are powerful and the media have become the dominant storytellers in our kids' lives.

What's more, media keeps evolving, getting more and more powerful over time."

- David Walsh, PhD. No: Why Kids - of all Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. Free Press, Toronto. 2007. pg 41
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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Parents and Teachers - A Good Team

A teacher writing on a blackboard.Image via Wikipedia
"Do parents have a role in backing up teachers?

Absolutely.

Adults should act as a team if kids are to learn  the lessons of self-discipline and self-regulation.

The traditional teamwork between parents and teachers has deteriorated in the past generation as society has become more adversarial.

While it is appropriate for parents to advocate for their children, they should do it in a way that does not undermine the teacher.

It's most helpful if you can go into these situations expecting teachers and other school professionals to be part of the team for your child.

Our kids need to see a more unified front.

- David Walsh, PhD. No: Why Kids - of all Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. Free Press, Toronto. 2007. pg 41
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