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Archive for the ‘Education’ CategoryTeacher punished for intimidating student who rejected recommended university KASAI, Hyogo — A high school teacher has been punished for physically intimidating a student not to participate in the National Athletic Meet after the student declined to enter a university he recommended, it has emerged. ————- You need a a Second Life account, some money and a WHOOOOLE LOTA patience. I just spent the last four days and about 50 hours reading, practicing, watching tutorials, flying around and chatting with some of the most ungodly scary and sexy avatars I have ever seen in order to see if I can make it as an English teacher. …That was a long sentence.
So why am I doing this? Next semester, at my university, I’ve been asked to incorporate video or web conferencing into my classes. Instead of just simply adding some one-to-one video, I thought it would be much more interesting to have the girls live in Second Life AND use video conferencing. The idea being that we collaborate with another school and have both meet on our school island. Video conferencing would be a way for them to see and talk with each other “face-to-face” while the simulation 3d world let’s them hide a bit while they chat with whomever they wish. Well, lots to do. Come visit me on English Village island. You can also see my website at www.professormerryman.com or email me at mike[at]professormerryman.com I’m just getting going on my M.ed. and am already thinking I may need to get a Phd. YUK! I’m so sick of going to school. Or maybe I can spend the next year writing like a mad man in order to build up my publications; add to this a stiff serving of research and a couple books and I should have a pretty good arsenal without the need to go back for my doctorate. But does it really matter? Or do I need to just meet the right person and take classes in kissing ass. What have I become? Whatever happened to my dream of becoming a full time web dude…WHOOOSH! Out the window. Gov’t to let university heads decide when to start academic year Hmmm. Are we gonna see Trimesters and Year round schooling? Could be a good thing. The country is run on the same clock. Allowing for flexible school schedules will let departments tailor their curriculum and syllabi around the subjects. For example, if the school year starts in April in Japan but starts in August in America, how are sister city programs able to coordinate events such as video conferencing? And does anyone know why the school year starts in April anyway? I need to look into this one. I just did the paperwork to apply for a student loan. I had to tell them how much money I make but they only listed a space for one company. Hmmm. How are they going to give me a loan for about the same as I make at one job? Looks like a few more papers will have to filled out. I have to sign everything in romaji, katakana and hankos…in duplicate triplet and a blood sample in order to tell what blood type I am. They really take this loan business seriously. I’m kind of wondering why they need to know how much I drink? I answered, “nashi.” We say Japanese aren’t creative when it comes to learning English, but from what I’ve seen over the past few days, it seems Japanese might be more creative than what we think. The problem isn’t the ability, it’s how it’s being taught or rather how it’s NOT being taught. Is creativity losing out to the three Rs (reading, writing and arithmetics)? Why should math be emphasized more than music? Or should they be equally emphasized? Isn’t it true we need to practice what we have learned? Math is a critical part of studying music theory. Do we still believe that industry requires a better understanding of biology, chemistry and physics? “John, you’re never going to be an artist, so why do you need to study it?” John replies, “I’m never going to be a rocket scientist either but I have to study it!” What I am saying here is exactly the reason I got into teaching somewhere around 15 years old, when I became the drum major of my high school band. I didn’t believe anything was more important than what I wanted to be; a musician and a band leader. I went to community college only because my mother wanted it. I never thought a piece a paper was important. Even today I don’t think it’s important. It’s an old system followed by the masses which quantify a person’s ability to perform in a “machine” requiring “qualified” workers. What a joke. The following presentation from TED.com is what inspired me to write this post and my further research. |
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Peace.
so uhm yeah, greetings from an half irish half arabic guy that lives in germany! ah and start making more podcasts, like 3 a week 
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A Recessionary Christmas:
Are we going to have a Christmas this year?:
Public Baths - Sentos:
I'm sorry. It was my fault.:
Meyer's Briggs...ENTJ:
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DJ and Shamisen:
World's oldest man turns 113:
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Podcast Episode #89:
16 things it takes most of us 50 years to learn:
Sex doesn't sell in Japan?:
They treat me like a child...why?:
Podcast Episode #88:
Anki - Studying Japanese - Motivation: