This Focused Performance Weblog started life as a "business management blog" containing links and commentary related primarily to organizational effectiveness with a "Theory of Constraints" perspective, but is in the process of evolving towards primary content on interactive and mobile marketing. Think of it as about Focusing marketing messages for enhanced Performance. If you are on an archive page, current postings are found here.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Unfocused: "Science Education" in Texas Threatened Again -- Listened to an analysis of recent Texas science textbook guidelines on this week's On The Media...
For two decades, critics have argued that the Texas Board of Education's science standards have allowed creationism to creep into public schools and textbooks. Last week the board changed the language, creating the latest arena in the clash between creationists and the scientific community. Both sides explain why the subtle language change may greatly affect how evolution is taught in Texas and the rest of the country.
"...the state Board of Education, in a muddled decision, rejected a state science curriculum that required teachers to discuss the "strengths and weaknesses" of the theory of evolution. Instead, the board allowed "all sides" of scientific theories to be taught.
"...by all means let's "be honest with the kids," as Dr. Don McLeroy, the chairman of the Texas education board, wants us to be. The problem is that he is urging that the argument be taught, not in a history or in a civics class, but in a biology class. And one of his supporters on the board, Ken Mercer, has said that evolution is disproved by the absence of any transitional forms between dogs and cats. If any state in the American union gave equal time in science class to such claims, it would certainly make itself unique in the world (perhaps no shame in that). But it would also set a precedent for the sharing of the astronomy period with the teaching of astrology, or indeed of equal time as between chemistry and alchemy. Less boring perhaps, but also much less scientific and less educational."
One can only hope that a science teacher, when faced with a student who suggests some alternative "theory" that is non-scientific, has the preparation and to point out the scientific weaknesses of any proposed science fiction or fantasy and therefore the reasons it doesn't belong in the science classroom. Hopefully s/he won't cave in to fear of being accused of (or punished for) "religious defamation".
[Related story: Not just biology, but accepted scientific theories surrounding cosmology could be threatened as well.]
How Science Works -- Understanding Science is a new educational resource that provides a new description for the scientific method. The old linear approach of identify the problem, gather information, form a hypothesis, test it, and reach conclusions is replaced by process that emphasizes its non-linearity and dynamic, iterative nature.
Want to get into MIT? -- in 1869? Check out the entrance exams.
Does MIT require an entrance exam today?
The English exam, in particular, intrigues me. Assuming it's updated to include a bit more in the way of American and World literature and writers rather than the English emphasis of 1869, something tells me that today's emphasis on specialization rather than the breadth of a good "liberal education" along with the technical would lead to a bunch of today's MIT applicants scratching their heads.
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