tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457872.post5342029281119188173..comments2024-03-26T23:57:42.268-04:00Comments on SpeEdChange: Argument and Beliefirasocolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01412837280249622430noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457872.post-57770806307704603562009-07-27T11:47:21.038-04:002009-07-27T11:47:21.038-04:00There was a study on how people form opinions abou...There was a study on how people form opinions about morality. This study posed two different questions to its subjects.<br /><br />1) Off in the distance, three strangers are stuck on a set of trolley tracks and you can see that a speeding trolley will crush them if you don't pull a switch right next to you, sending the trolley down another set of tracks, where only one stranger is trapped. Is it morally right to pull the switch and sacrifice one person to save three?<br /><br />2) You are standing on a bridge above a set of trolley tracks. Off in the distance, three strangers are stuck on a set of trolley tracks and you can see that a speeding trolley will crush them if you don't push a very large stranger next to you off the bridge and onto the tracks, killing the stranger, but halting the trolley and saving the other three people. Unfortunately, you're not big enough to stop the trolley with your own body.<br /><br />The vast majority of people said the suggested action in the first situation was the right thing to do, but that the suggested action in the second situation was definitely not. The results of these two actions are exactly the same however. So why is opinion so irrationally divided here? The reason is we all make instinctual decisions, then later come up with justifications for them. In this case, evolution and social pressures have led to people not being comfortable with inflicting direct physical harm on another human being, especially if they don't pose an immediate threat. However, inflicting indirect physical harm can be more easily justified if it's for the greater good.<br /><br />In the case of the cell phone debate, I think many feel intimidated by cell phones and frustrated at not knowing how to handle the implications in their classroom. From these feelings rise the justifications. Teachers decide how they feel and then try to come up with good reasons as to why. We ALL do this some times - it's just how our brains work. We do need to be aware of it though and remain critical of the conclusions we jump to, even after they've supposedly been well thought out.radicalgeekhttp://www.classroom20.com/profile/ChrisFritznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457872.post-83289570499479070302009-07-25T00:23:38.805-04:002009-07-25T00:23:38.805-04:00Ira, I have followed this from the beginning. I ha...Ira, I have followed this from the beginning. I have not posted there as I usually only write for my own reflection, I sometimes have trouble explaining exactly what I think.<br /><br />However, this whole discourse has reminded me of an exchange during my undergraduate years. A classmate and I were having trouble with some concepts in a class and asked the professor to help us. He responded, in a voice loud enough to be heard through the class, "I am not here to teach, I am here to 'Profess'!". My opinion of the professor went downhill. In fact, in my years, (it took me six to get my bachelors), of early college experience with university teaching was so terrible, I barely made it. Both of my masters experiences were completely different, thankfully. I do have to watch what I say here and other online places, as I find teachers/professors that have not changed. I would hate for some of the really great people I have met online recently think I would lump them in with my undergrad. experience.<br /><br />Frankly, I think that if the students are so disengaged from the "learning" that they use cell phones for "personal" use in class, then she has lost the class. As you have pointed out, she could engage them by using students' technology, but she refuses. That is her students' loss, as they may never see her as a good teacher.Carlhttp://weemooseus.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19457872.post-90931413313613340922009-07-24T22:26:10.535-04:002009-07-24T22:26:10.535-04:00There is a skill that can be taught that requires ...There is a skill that can be taught that requires a lack of distraction.<br /><br />It's called 'concentration.'<br /><br />I doubt that teacher is a Zen Master, however.HomerTheBravehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261248973011130957noreply@blogger.com