Re: Challenges to teaching biology

Keith Miller wrote:

> Unfortunately, what is happening is not the challenging of ideas or
> critical thinking. What is occurring is disruptive student behavior
> and the refusal to hear arguments. They are challenging the teacher
> not to learn, but to keep from learning. As the article indicates,
> some students go to the extent of walking out of class or putting
> their heads on the desk.
>

I understand that this is frustrating, and I understand why you would
be waving your hands about it. However, aside from being sympathetic,
what can we do?

I don't think there are simple answers, because, particularly in the
realm of disease, it's pretty clear that evolution is afoot. This does
matter equally for the businessman and the scientist both. So there,
clearly, it is part of being an educated and responsible person in
society to know that this sort of thing goes on.

So what options do we have?

Should all K-12 students be forced to study all of it?

Should all K-12 students be forced to study some of it, others all of it?

Should we drop the whole thing and wait till college (something like a
voting age)?

It does seem that many people of the US have long forgotten that
education is a privilege, not a right. (or am I wrong there?)

by Grace we proceed,
Wayne
Received on Tue Apr 4 20:00:33 2006