Changing Thinking (Reaction to Ivan Illich’s Deschooling Society) After reading the first chapter of Ivan Illich’s Deschooling Society, I felt something like a cheerleader rooting for the home team. With no significant exceptions, I agreed with his characterizations about problematic schools created by and perpetuated within by a problematic society (thinking about the U.S. specifically). … Read more
Problem-Posing vs. Problem-Solving (Comments on Paolo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed) When I was searching the online catalog for an afternoon course to take this term, I knew I’d found something that would resonate with me when I read the description for this course. The topic of “foundations of educational philosophy” was one that pertained … Read more
On Conformity: Emerson and Thoreau Respond to Mann? (Comments prompted by Horace Mann’s On the Art of Teaching) Born within a generation, living and working within 30 miles of each other, and publishing seminal works within a six-year period, Horace Mann, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau articulated viewpoints about a contentious American ideal … Read more
The following is an excerpt from my application letter of intent that broadly summarizes my academic interests in the field of Educational Psychology. My decision to pursue the M.A. in Educational Psychology is the result of a 40-year gestation period. A few significant milestones along the way: In high school I began thinking about individuality … Read more
As printed in the 20 November 2007 edition of DNA (Daily News & Analysis), Mumbai edition. By Prachi Rege Our assumptions could lead to major communication problems. Prachi Rege attends a seminar on General Semantics — a theory that makes us aware of our behaviour thereby setting a base for effective communication. The daily experiences … Read more
Reprinted with permission from: Centre for Contemporary Theory, Vadodara, Gujarat, India Twelfth National Workshop Cognitive Language Skills for the 21st Century 3rd – 5th November 2007 A Report One of the dominant concerns of contemporary social and political theory and one which has engaged if not captured the attention of theorizing … Read more
As printed in the 6 November 2007 edition of DIVYA BHASKAR DAILY, Gujarat, India. General Semantics is a topic somewhat unfamiliar to the common man, but it concerns something that plays a very significant role in our daily life. The twelfth National Workshop of the Forum for Contemporary Theory, titled “Cognitive Language Skills for Twenty … Read more
This exercise simply asks you to look at this image. What do you see – 3 smaller dimples or bumps? What do you see – 1 larger dimple or bump? (A dimple appears to recede into the surface; a bump appears to protrude out of the surface.) After you’ve determined how many dimples and how … Read more
INDEX OF CHANTICLEER CALLS TOPICS, 1999-2003 Mar 24, 2003 (#34) Frying Spam “Honey, which channel is the war on? Installing Democracy (Version 2.x) Perspicuous Perspective Ensuring Everlasting Life (at least among the living) General Semantics Miscellany One Moyer Thing … Dec 23, 2002 (#33) NOT FOR SALE Nov 19, 2002 (#32) CLARIFICATION: The Role of … Read more
March 24, 2003 FRYING SPAM As one who receives more than his share of spam, and probably has less patience with it than most, I have decided to stop distributing Chanticleer Calls via email. Unsolicited email, or “spam,” passed my personal obnoxious threshold long ago. Recently, PC Magazine featured a cover story on it. PBS … Read more