MY (our) granddaughter is 19 months old now and is learning to associate words with things and names with people. My wife has expressed the desire to be called "Oma", apparently a Germanic term for the female parent of the parent of the child: a grandmother.
She has sharply dismissed the notion that she be called "grandmother" as that was the term reserved for her mother's mother. Grandma or Granny have also be quickly and loudly dismissed. She has always been firm in being called "Mother" or in less formal times "Mom". Ma or Mama or any lesser form was deemed inappropriate.
I am called Dad, Pop, Old guy, Old man, Hey, Male Parental Unit, or any other name my kids want to call me. I even answer to Carl, Yak, Carl Joseph, or "Wanna beer?".
So as my(our) granddaughter grows and begins speech patterns and recognition of Naming Things, I was issued the title of "Grampa Carl". This is because her other father of a parent is known as "Grampa Jim". I don't think either one of us cares what we are called, just as long as Julia Rose (the child in question) is excited to see us, plays with us, gives us kisses and hugs, and is willing to return to her parents when the diaper needs changing.
My dad was known to twelve grandchildren as "Grampa Yak". He never chose his name, it just fit.
If I am to be blessed with additional offspring of my offspring, I may earn the title of Grampa Yak. But as for now, I will take great pride in being spoken to in a language that I do not understand because it has not yet developed fully. I will understand the look of joy and the warmth of hugs. MY granddaughter can call me anything she wants.
Except "Granny"
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
ever new, ever learning
well, I got my new "smarter-than-me" phone. I played with it for a while and realized I had to see the folks at T-Mobile to get a smaller SIM card. Bigger phone: smaller SIM.
I have been playing with it little by little, learning the various functions. I have discussed it with a few friends who have smartphones and asked their advice. I figured out the weather channel, the Home Depot app, instant messaging was easy, got the thing set up to get Email, connected to my secure WiFi modem, and took a few pictures. I dumped some of the energy sapping "bloatware". I will get a storage card sometime in the near future, but that doesn't seem to be a high priority item just yet.
I will learn YouTube, NetFlix, and how to more effectively use the mapping stuff. I will peruse the apps available and decide what I want to pollute my system with. I did make one phone call. It was to my sister-in-law who was thrilled beyond reality that I chose to call her first. Made her day special after some not very happy things had happened.
I am updating my "contacts" list. I am realizing I do not have very many contacts. But I can fluff that out with doctors and restaurants and casual acquaintances. I will even set pictures alongside each of these names. Someday.
I have taken the thing with me on our evening walks with the dogs, and turned it on once or twice to amaze myself that it all still works out there in the open street. Walking two 70 pound boxers puts limits on how much playing I can do while walking.
And today, in the middle of the afternoon, I realized there was one thing I had not yet learned how to do. I think we can all agree that, even though capabilities have far exceeded original design, a telephone is basically designed for voice communication, or at least that was the starting premise. Well, my wife called me! And I had no idea how to tell the chunk of plastic in my hand that I was willing to talk with her. I saw the green and red symbols and I pressed them repeatedly. It was only after I came home that I played with he phone and realized I had to swipe to answer!
So the old dog learned a new skill today: How to answer a handheld computer that wants to also be a telephonic communication device.
I have been playing with it little by little, learning the various functions. I have discussed it with a few friends who have smartphones and asked their advice. I figured out the weather channel, the Home Depot app, instant messaging was easy, got the thing set up to get Email, connected to my secure WiFi modem, and took a few pictures. I dumped some of the energy sapping "bloatware". I will get a storage card sometime in the near future, but that doesn't seem to be a high priority item just yet.
I will learn YouTube, NetFlix, and how to more effectively use the mapping stuff. I will peruse the apps available and decide what I want to pollute my system with. I did make one phone call. It was to my sister-in-law who was thrilled beyond reality that I chose to call her first. Made her day special after some not very happy things had happened.
I am updating my "contacts" list. I am realizing I do not have very many contacts. But I can fluff that out with doctors and restaurants and casual acquaintances. I will even set pictures alongside each of these names. Someday.
I have taken the thing with me on our evening walks with the dogs, and turned it on once or twice to amaze myself that it all still works out there in the open street. Walking two 70 pound boxers puts limits on how much playing I can do while walking.
And today, in the middle of the afternoon, I realized there was one thing I had not yet learned how to do. I think we can all agree that, even though capabilities have far exceeded original design, a telephone is basically designed for voice communication, or at least that was the starting premise. Well, my wife called me! And I had no idea how to tell the chunk of plastic in my hand that I was willing to talk with her. I saw the green and red symbols and I pressed them repeatedly. It was only after I came home that I played with he phone and realized I had to swipe to answer!
So the old dog learned a new skill today: How to answer a handheld computer that wants to also be a telephonic communication device.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Telemarketer call (in my mind, at least)
I am sure many of you have gotten the call from an unknown number that flashes "windows" or "Novatel" or 'Security" or some such on your caller ID. This happens, I am told, mostly to older folks, like me. The assumption is that the recipients of the call are older and not really computer savvy.
Usually the call starts out something like: "Hello, this is Patel from Windows. How are you today?" Note that it is not from Microsoft or MacAfee or Norton
" I'm all right" you may respond. Then he gets into the spiel: "There has been a notification of unusual activity sent to us that indicates you have a virus downloaded into your computer."
You may respond a few different ways. "How did you get this information?" or "Are you from Microsoft?' or "Which computer is it?" or "What is the IP address of the infected unit?" or "Oh my gosh, how did that happen?" or "How do I fix it?"
His response will indicate it is the computer running Windows 7. He will have no idea what the IP address is and the last two responses make him smile. He will then instruct you to go to the computer, turn it on and enter a string of numbers and letters into the address bar after you log into your browser. This, he says will connect you with his computer and he will fix the problem for you. Once he gets there, however, he will see additional errors that must be fixed to prevent further problems, and that will cost some big money. While he is in your computer he is planting a worm or a backdoor virus so he can get in whenever he wants to to get your passwords, even though you change them daily, and any other data he can glean.
If he cannot give you and IP address, he is just talking shit. He is scamming.So tell him you are running on an Apple computer with OS8 and don't need his help.
Orrrrrrr....maybe something like this:
Me: "Hello, how are you today?"
Patel (or whatever his name is): " Hello, this is Patel from Windows. I am calling today to advise you your computer has sent a notice that it is infected with a very dangerous virus."
M: Oh my gosh, how did that happen?
P: It may have been sent by way of an Email or a downloaded file.
M: what can we do about it?
P: Well, can you go to your computer right now and turn it on?
M: Yeah, sure. Okay, it is coming on now.
P: After it comes on, I will need you to give me your Email address.
M: Okay, it's Coldone@AOL.com
P: And your password?
M: the password? I don't think I'm supposed to give that out
P:It's all right, we are are here trying to help you.
M: Okay, it's Hotzipper
P: Is your internet browser up yet?
M: Yes, it's loading up now.
P: All right. now enter the following into the address bar www.scambastards.com and hit enter
M: Hang on a second, I'm not a fast typer. to the side "How long until we have it?"
P: What was that?
M: Oh, just trying to get this address in.
P: Okay
M: My browser is a little slow sometimes. My grandson says I should get something better than a dial-up service.
P: Yes, then things will load a lot faster and you can get more data and other information with a lot less wait time.
M: Okay, we got it!
P: what is that?
M: We have your physical address. And the address of your computers.
P: What do you mean?
M: You, sir, have been speaking with the NSA. We have tracked the sourcing of this call. We have a Predator drone about 10 minutes away. It carries a high explosive ordinance package and is en route to your location. I am advising you to evacuate the premises before the launch is executed. You have, let's see, about eight minutes to get out of there or hope your life insurance is paid up. Have a nice day.
And then hang up.
Usually the call starts out something like: "Hello, this is Patel from Windows. How are you today?" Note that it is not from Microsoft or MacAfee or Norton
" I'm all right" you may respond. Then he gets into the spiel: "There has been a notification of unusual activity sent to us that indicates you have a virus downloaded into your computer."
You may respond a few different ways. "How did you get this information?" or "Are you from Microsoft?' or "Which computer is it?" or "What is the IP address of the infected unit?" or "Oh my gosh, how did that happen?" or "How do I fix it?"
His response will indicate it is the computer running Windows 7. He will have no idea what the IP address is and the last two responses make him smile. He will then instruct you to go to the computer, turn it on and enter a string of numbers and letters into the address bar after you log into your browser. This, he says will connect you with his computer and he will fix the problem for you. Once he gets there, however, he will see additional errors that must be fixed to prevent further problems, and that will cost some big money. While he is in your computer he is planting a worm or a backdoor virus so he can get in whenever he wants to to get your passwords, even though you change them daily, and any other data he can glean.
If he cannot give you and IP address, he is just talking shit. He is scamming.So tell him you are running on an Apple computer with OS8 and don't need his help.
Orrrrrrr....maybe something like this:
Me: "Hello, how are you today?"
Patel (or whatever his name is): " Hello, this is Patel from Windows. I am calling today to advise you your computer has sent a notice that it is infected with a very dangerous virus."
M: Oh my gosh, how did that happen?
P: It may have been sent by way of an Email or a downloaded file.
M: what can we do about it?
P: Well, can you go to your computer right now and turn it on?
M: Yeah, sure. Okay, it is coming on now.
P: After it comes on, I will need you to give me your Email address.
M: Okay, it's Coldone@AOL.com
P: And your password?
M: the password? I don't think I'm supposed to give that out
P:It's all right, we are are here trying to help you.
M: Okay, it's Hotzipper
P: Is your internet browser up yet?
M: Yes, it's loading up now.
P: All right. now enter the following into the address bar www.scambastards.com and hit enter
M: Hang on a second, I'm not a fast typer. to the side "How long until we have it?"
P: What was that?
M: Oh, just trying to get this address in.
P: Okay
M: My browser is a little slow sometimes. My grandson says I should get something better than a dial-up service.
P: Yes, then things will load a lot faster and you can get more data and other information with a lot less wait time.
M: Okay, we got it!
P: what is that?
M: We have your physical address. And the address of your computers.
P: What do you mean?
M: You, sir, have been speaking with the NSA. We have tracked the sourcing of this call. We have a Predator drone about 10 minutes away. It carries a high explosive ordinance package and is en route to your location. I am advising you to evacuate the premises before the launch is executed. You have, let's see, about eight minutes to get out of there or hope your life insurance is paid up. Have a nice day.
And then hang up.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
out for delivery...
I can't believe my anticipation.
I ordered a new phone from a website in New York called cell2get.com last Monday. About twenty minutes later they called me and said my purchase was being shipped out as we spoke. They sent me Email confirmation and a tracking number as I requested. It was being sent at no additional cost via the Unite States Postal Service. USPS has a website, USPS.com, where I was able to enter the tracking number and see where the package was. They also have a service where their computer will send your texting cell phone an update of wherever it changes direction. This morning at 3:40 in the AM I was informed it was in Coppell, Texas and being sorted to be sent to Plano, where I live. It arrived at Plano at 8:43 to be sorted again.
The most recent text was it was "Out For Delivery" at 10:53 am.
So now I am like a little kid, waiting for Santa or the Easter Bunny or whatever childhood character you want to profess knowledge of.
About a year ago my wife decided for me that I needed a mobile communication device so she could find me when she needed me. I resisted because sometimes I just don't want to be found. But after a couple of health and other family emergencies, I am now aware that it is in my best interests to stay in touch with my partner of 42+ years.
I have had a stupid phone-the most basic of T-mobile phones-for the last year. After talking with my sons and interacting with the folks at work, I decided that I would jump both feet into the best technology I was willing to pay for. I read a bunch of reviews and asked a lot of questions. I decided that the Samsung Galaxy S4 was a very good phone for the price. I shopped prices and plans. When the Galaxy S5 was released, the S4 price dropped. So I made the commitment and ordered my chosen personal computer and communication device.
And now it is "Out For Delivery"
And I am excited
I ordered a new phone from a website in New York called cell2get.com last Monday. About twenty minutes later they called me and said my purchase was being shipped out as we spoke. They sent me Email confirmation and a tracking number as I requested. It was being sent at no additional cost via the Unite States Postal Service. USPS has a website, USPS.com, where I was able to enter the tracking number and see where the package was. They also have a service where their computer will send your texting cell phone an update of wherever it changes direction. This morning at 3:40 in the AM I was informed it was in Coppell, Texas and being sorted to be sent to Plano, where I live. It arrived at Plano at 8:43 to be sorted again.
The most recent text was it was "Out For Delivery" at 10:53 am.
So now I am like a little kid, waiting for Santa or the Easter Bunny or whatever childhood character you want to profess knowledge of.
About a year ago my wife decided for me that I needed a mobile communication device so she could find me when she needed me. I resisted because sometimes I just don't want to be found. But after a couple of health and other family emergencies, I am now aware that it is in my best interests to stay in touch with my partner of 42+ years.
I have had a stupid phone-the most basic of T-mobile phones-for the last year. After talking with my sons and interacting with the folks at work, I decided that I would jump both feet into the best technology I was willing to pay for. I read a bunch of reviews and asked a lot of questions. I decided that the Samsung Galaxy S4 was a very good phone for the price. I shopped prices and plans. When the Galaxy S5 was released, the S4 price dropped. So I made the commitment and ordered my chosen personal computer and communication device.
And now it is "Out For Delivery"
And I am excited
Monday, April 14, 2014
found this while blog surfing
Found this on another blog posted in 2010. Boy is this ever the truth! It sums up one of my previous posts.
Will someone please allow the gifted people who are in front of our students to TEACH them what they NEED
what direction should I take?
Life is all about decisions
What direction should I take on this blog thing is one of those decisions
I had a chat with a friend of mine and she was commenting on different personalities and said to me (unrelated to blog posting) that I was always wise enough to see two or three sides to any discussion or argument.
I was thinking that my additions to the cyberworld might be the stuff of provocation. Seeing who I could get to rise to the bait and start some sort of conflicting dialogue. A spam war maybe. That would generate traffic and then I could get the advertisers to put relevant ads of busty women inviting you to play their internet games of war and destruction.
I could be like Rush Limbaugh on his "stop Hillary" campaign (how did that work out for ya, Rushbo?) But I have more brains and less desire for cranial calcification.
I have seen a few of the random sites where folks have posted pictures of family and friends to share around. Kind of like a Facebook, but less public. A few have kind words or inspiration in ways not made up by the greeting card companies. Thank you, John Checki.
One friend posts pictures of insects. He bought a camera with a macro lens and finds the beauty in all the little things everyone overlooks every day. Walter Klockers, you also inspire me to look closely at what is around me.
I still have no idea what I'm going to do with this forum, because things change in my brain from day to day.
Hence the Random Thoughts from a Random Mind tagline.
When my dogs take me on our daily patrol around the neighborhood, flashes of brilliance streak across my brain. I have conversations with famous and powerful people and ideas for stories just begging to be written.
When we get back from the walk, there are treats to be given out, a spouse to be pampered, and other distractions. Those moments of cosmic shaking revelation fade rapidly. But as I sit here, I realize there are no readers of these comments, or very few, so my discussions and revelations will have no effect on the future of mankind.
In closing, I show a picture of my 19 month old granddaughter, Julia. She brings joy to my life when I get to see her. She knows whenever I come over to her house, we get our jackets on and go OUTSIDE. Where the world is. And all the things everyone else overlooks. She sees them as new stuff, and helps my ageing eyes and mind see them anew.
What direction should I take on this blog thing is one of those decisions
I had a chat with a friend of mine and she was commenting on different personalities and said to me (unrelated to blog posting) that I was always wise enough to see two or three sides to any discussion or argument.
I was thinking that my additions to the cyberworld might be the stuff of provocation. Seeing who I could get to rise to the bait and start some sort of conflicting dialogue. A spam war maybe. That would generate traffic and then I could get the advertisers to put relevant ads of busty women inviting you to play their internet games of war and destruction.
I could be like Rush Limbaugh on his "stop Hillary" campaign (how did that work out for ya, Rushbo?) But I have more brains and less desire for cranial calcification.
I have seen a few of the random sites where folks have posted pictures of family and friends to share around. Kind of like a Facebook, but less public. A few have kind words or inspiration in ways not made up by the greeting card companies. Thank you, John Checki.
One friend posts pictures of insects. He bought a camera with a macro lens and finds the beauty in all the little things everyone overlooks every day. Walter Klockers, you also inspire me to look closely at what is around me.
I still have no idea what I'm going to do with this forum, because things change in my brain from day to day.
Hence the Random Thoughts from a Random Mind tagline.
When my dogs take me on our daily patrol around the neighborhood, flashes of brilliance streak across my brain. I have conversations with famous and powerful people and ideas for stories just begging to be written.
When we get back from the walk, there are treats to be given out, a spouse to be pampered, and other distractions. Those moments of cosmic shaking revelation fade rapidly. But as I sit here, I realize there are no readers of these comments, or very few, so my discussions and revelations will have no effect on the future of mankind.
In closing, I show a picture of my 19 month old granddaughter, Julia. She brings joy to my life when I get to see her. She knows whenever I come over to her house, we get our jackets on and go OUTSIDE. Where the world is. And all the things everyone else overlooks. She sees them as new stuff, and helps my ageing eyes and mind see them anew.
A more recent photo
You have probably seen the photo I publicly posted as an intro to my blog. Yeah, the one holding the son who is now 6'4" and 300 pounds. He is 36 years old. The photo you see above is me approximately now at the Oktoberfest in Breckenridge Colorado. Well, that was last October (2013). But, it is a lot closer to how I have widened and sagged in the last 36+ years. And the hair is a lot more silver (gray), but that is my daughter's fault> and she is proud of every lighter colored hair.
I realize no one will probably ever see this blog thing, even though ONCE I was viewed by someone in Poland, and twice in Germany. They had a better chance of understanding what I was posting than I would if I read their stuff. Most students learn some English in Europe as part of their normal studies. I can't find a school here that teaches Polish.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
all children held back
Now to my other educational rant: "No Child Left Behind"
What Bullshit!
This was a program publicized by a very well meaning first lady, who, unfortunately, was also the wife of the governor of Texas. Yes that's right: Laura Bush.
It is a very "progressive" or "liberal" idea. The idea that every child would be given the opportunity and education to stay with his/her classmates, no matter what the cost. This applied to all children, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or even, yes, even learning ability.
Now I can see from a parents' point of view, that my child should be given the best education possible. If additional tutoring is necessary, I want my child to have it. I ant my child to have good grades and be admitted to the finest college in the world. I want him to be the doctor that cures cancer, stops global warming, cuts energy costs, and has weekends off to watch football with me.
Problem is, ain't gonna happen for ALL the kids.
Teachers have 20-30 kids per classroom. That means they have only 2-3 minutes per hour to personally spend with each student. Or spend the hour teaching the assigned curriculum to the whole class, hoping they catch what he/she is trying to implant in the young minds.
Then there are the parents. There are several types. First are the parents of the future cart pusher at the local supermarket. Their kid, as a result of genetics or trauma, will never advance beyond the basic service level in life. They will never be able to leave home because they are not capable of self-care. At least most of these will be able to use the restroom properly. They want the teacher to spend at least half a day bringing their little prince/princess along.
Then, on the other end of the scale, are the parents of bright kids. The aforementioned cure-for-cancer-doctors. They want their child to be stimulated, encouraged, enriched, advanced. And they want the teacher to spend half a day doing that. The kids are bored out of their skulls with the regular curriculum, and find ways to make trouble for the class and the teacher, just for something to do.
Somewhere in the middle are the parents who just hope their kids can read and write and get a job. And eventually move out of the house. And once again there are sub-divisions here as well. Some of the parents are grateful for the babysitting service school provides, and complain about why taxes are so high to pay for all this. But also, and all teachers thank their personal gods for these folks, there are involved parents. These angels are involved with their offspring. They check to make sure homework is done. They make contact with the educators to assure them they are available to help. And, blessings be upon them, they volunteer to help at the school or school functions, to exemplify responsible behavior.
Now about these students. As I said, there will always be children that whether by trauma or genetic code will be less capable. Retards. An ugly word, but it fits well. Some of these kids are brought to the mainstream classroom by caregivers every day in motorized carts who have to help them eat and then clean them when they mess their pants. They will never, ever be a contributing part of society. But we cannot "leave them behind". Once again I call "Bullshit"! These caregivers are paid by the state or the community. There are hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on these kids whose IQs are about two points higher than a rutabaga. Money that, properly placed, could provide for those advanced curriculum kids. Computers, science labs, advanced learning programs, field trips, mentors, all the things necessary to challenge the brain and strengthen it to move forward even more. I am told the programs to help these kids advance are in place or available. But somehow there is no money to implement them.
In ancient societies, when a town or village or kingdom was subject to possible invasion or conflict, the food resources were distributed such that the protectors, the soldiers, were allotted more. That was so that when the time came to do battle, they would have the strength to defend the community. We are in a similar situation. We are in a battle with the world for resources, scientific breakthroughs, economic prosperity. But we are allocating our resources to not leave the sick and lame behind. We are starving our potential economic and scientific warriors so they cannot compete.
No Child Left Behind. Advanced by Laura Bush. Forced first upon the schools of Texas, and then the whole of the United States. Because she has a soft spot in her heart for the weaker mind.
Look who she married.
What Bullshit!
This was a program publicized by a very well meaning first lady, who, unfortunately, was also the wife of the governor of Texas. Yes that's right: Laura Bush.
It is a very "progressive" or "liberal" idea. The idea that every child would be given the opportunity and education to stay with his/her classmates, no matter what the cost. This applied to all children, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or even, yes, even learning ability.
Now I can see from a parents' point of view, that my child should be given the best education possible. If additional tutoring is necessary, I want my child to have it. I ant my child to have good grades and be admitted to the finest college in the world. I want him to be the doctor that cures cancer, stops global warming, cuts energy costs, and has weekends off to watch football with me.
Problem is, ain't gonna happen for ALL the kids.
Teachers have 20-30 kids per classroom. That means they have only 2-3 minutes per hour to personally spend with each student. Or spend the hour teaching the assigned curriculum to the whole class, hoping they catch what he/she is trying to implant in the young minds.
Then there are the parents. There are several types. First are the parents of the future cart pusher at the local supermarket. Their kid, as a result of genetics or trauma, will never advance beyond the basic service level in life. They will never be able to leave home because they are not capable of self-care. At least most of these will be able to use the restroom properly. They want the teacher to spend at least half a day bringing their little prince/princess along.
Then, on the other end of the scale, are the parents of bright kids. The aforementioned cure-for-cancer-doctors. They want their child to be stimulated, encouraged, enriched, advanced. And they want the teacher to spend half a day doing that. The kids are bored out of their skulls with the regular curriculum, and find ways to make trouble for the class and the teacher, just for something to do.
Somewhere in the middle are the parents who just hope their kids can read and write and get a job. And eventually move out of the house. And once again there are sub-divisions here as well. Some of the parents are grateful for the babysitting service school provides, and complain about why taxes are so high to pay for all this. But also, and all teachers thank their personal gods for these folks, there are involved parents. These angels are involved with their offspring. They check to make sure homework is done. They make contact with the educators to assure them they are available to help. And, blessings be upon them, they volunteer to help at the school or school functions, to exemplify responsible behavior.
Now about these students. As I said, there will always be children that whether by trauma or genetic code will be less capable. Retards. An ugly word, but it fits well. Some of these kids are brought to the mainstream classroom by caregivers every day in motorized carts who have to help them eat and then clean them when they mess their pants. They will never, ever be a contributing part of society. But we cannot "leave them behind". Once again I call "Bullshit"! These caregivers are paid by the state or the community. There are hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on these kids whose IQs are about two points higher than a rutabaga. Money that, properly placed, could provide for those advanced curriculum kids. Computers, science labs, advanced learning programs, field trips, mentors, all the things necessary to challenge the brain and strengthen it to move forward even more. I am told the programs to help these kids advance are in place or available. But somehow there is no money to implement them.
In ancient societies, when a town or village or kingdom was subject to possible invasion or conflict, the food resources were distributed such that the protectors, the soldiers, were allotted more. That was so that when the time came to do battle, they would have the strength to defend the community. We are in a similar situation. We are in a battle with the world for resources, scientific breakthroughs, economic prosperity. But we are allocating our resources to not leave the sick and lame behind. We are starving our potential economic and scientific warriors so they cannot compete.
No Child Left Behind. Advanced by Laura Bush. Forced first upon the schools of Texas, and then the whole of the United States. Because she has a soft spot in her heart for the weaker mind.
Look who she married.
Education shortcomings
As we traveled across the great frozen north last week, we had tho opportunity to interact with several people that we will, unfortunately, never see again. As we chatted over a meal or in the lounge car of our Amtrak train (more on that in another posting), we discussed many things of more or less importance in this world.
One thing that still stays with me, however, is the American educational system. Two items in particular: 1) Teaching to the "standardized" test, and 2) "No child left behind".
Our society has become told we are "results-oriented". We must get all the information to the students and they have to learn basic facts. The test that we administer will insure that the teachers are teaching the right stuff. And the little ones are supposed to be able to regurgitate all this back in the form of little dots on a Scantron form.
The lie here is that the test are all the same and truly standardized. As the TAKS and TAAS tests were developed and issued in the State of Texas, there were somewhere between 12 and 18 different variations of the tests. (The current STAAR test are probably not much different.) And that was at each grade level!
That does not sound like a standardization to me.
The tests were (are) given based on the teachers and counselors and whatever school psychologists opinion of what that student could pass. You see, the teachers are graded on what their students did on these tests. Some teachers in some districts got early looks at the tests and made sure their kids were able to answer the test questions. Note I did not say the kids were TAUGHT anything, just that those teachers taught the test. The kids passed and some of those teachers are flipping burgers somewhere when their shenanigans were discovered.
Once the tests cycled through a few times, the teachers caught on to what was necessary to get their kids through the system and addressed those items. So our future leaders were fed the answers and little else. I'm sure the curriculum was followed as written, but then the curriculum was devised to make sure the students were able to answer the test questions first, and then learn any enrichment stuff as a sidebar.
The kids are not taught to think for themselves, just get through the test. But maybe that is what the business of education wants. The testing companies make a LOT of money with their "standardized tests".
I am now hearing/reading about several parents who are attempting to "opt out" of the testing cycles. Good Luck. The companies who generate millions of dollars with these tests have got the lawmakers in their pockets to mandate testing just so a kid can progress from middle to high school and even to graduate.
Another item is that even those kids who take the tests and fail miserably will be given special classes to be taught the test and how to pass it. And if they fail again, they will be given additional coaching. Until they pass a test.
So our children are not being taught History, Geography, basic Math facts, and so on, but how to take a test.
So the teachers and administrators can keep their jobs, and the policymakers in Austin (or insert your state capital here) can pat each other on the back and announce what a fine job we are doing.
Is it any wonder Texas ranks 46th in education?
One thing that still stays with me, however, is the American educational system. Two items in particular: 1) Teaching to the "standardized" test, and 2) "No child left behind".
Our society has become told we are "results-oriented". We must get all the information to the students and they have to learn basic facts. The test that we administer will insure that the teachers are teaching the right stuff. And the little ones are supposed to be able to regurgitate all this back in the form of little dots on a Scantron form.
The lie here is that the test are all the same and truly standardized. As the TAKS and TAAS tests were developed and issued in the State of Texas, there were somewhere between 12 and 18 different variations of the tests. (The current STAAR test are probably not much different.) And that was at each grade level!
That does not sound like a standardization to me.
The tests were (are) given based on the teachers and counselors and whatever school psychologists opinion of what that student could pass. You see, the teachers are graded on what their students did on these tests. Some teachers in some districts got early looks at the tests and made sure their kids were able to answer the test questions. Note I did not say the kids were TAUGHT anything, just that those teachers taught the test. The kids passed and some of those teachers are flipping burgers somewhere when their shenanigans were discovered.
Once the tests cycled through a few times, the teachers caught on to what was necessary to get their kids through the system and addressed those items. So our future leaders were fed the answers and little else. I'm sure the curriculum was followed as written, but then the curriculum was devised to make sure the students were able to answer the test questions first, and then learn any enrichment stuff as a sidebar.
The kids are not taught to think for themselves, just get through the test. But maybe that is what the business of education wants. The testing companies make a LOT of money with their "standardized tests".
I am now hearing/reading about several parents who are attempting to "opt out" of the testing cycles. Good Luck. The companies who generate millions of dollars with these tests have got the lawmakers in their pockets to mandate testing just so a kid can progress from middle to high school and even to graduate.
Another item is that even those kids who take the tests and fail miserably will be given special classes to be taught the test and how to pass it. And if they fail again, they will be given additional coaching. Until they pass a test.
So our children are not being taught History, Geography, basic Math facts, and so on, but how to take a test.
So the teachers and administrators can keep their jobs, and the policymakers in Austin (or insert your state capital here) can pat each other on the back and announce what a fine job we are doing.
Is it any wonder Texas ranks 46th in education?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)