Final Inquiry Project Post!

My final draft of my Inquiry Project report is now available online:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhfb44p3_17cwptds

and my appendix and bibliography:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhfb44p3_18vvthkm

I wish I'd had time to talk about The Homework Myth and Einstein Never Used Flashcards, since those were both very interesting in a challenging-assumptions-about-learning sort of way. In the end though, I just didn't have the time or energy to write about them, and have far too many things coming due in the all-too-near-future to even think about adding another 4 or 5 pages to my report. Suffice it to say that both are interesting reads, and contain excellent information about the nature of research on education and the state of the nation regarding culturally ingrained learning assumptions which rarely go challenged.

Oh well. I felt it could have been better, as with every paper I write, but that it turned out ok. As to the future of this blog... well, in an ideal world, I'd keep posting things of interest I learn regarding education and other such topics. As it is, it will probably languish in disuse now that there's no outside force forcing me to use it. Such is life, at least for me at this point. I kind of had fun while it lasted; the experience gave me a lot of respect for people who write serious blogs about issues, as opposed to livejournals about feelings, which is all I'd previously had experience with. That's got to take a lot of motivation, especially if you're not getting paid anything to do it.

A great movie once said that if you can't think of a way to end a paper, steal from someone else and go out strong, because there's always someone who's already said whatever you're trying to say better. So in that spirit:

... i began by saying that our history will be what we make it. If we go on as we are, then history will take its revenge and retribution will not limp in catching up with us. Just once in a while, let us exalt the importance of ideas and information. Let us dream to the extent of saying that on a given Sunday night, a time normally occupied by Ed Sullivan is given over to a clinical survey on the state of American education, and a week or two later, a time normally used by Steve Allen is devoted to a thorough going study of American policy in the Middle East. Would the corporate image of their respective sponsors be damaged? Would the shareholders rise up in their wrath and complain? Would anything happen, other than a few million people would have received illumination on subjects that may well determine the future of this country, and therefore the future of the corporations. To those who say people wouldn't look, they wouldn't be interested they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, i can only reply, there is in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. That even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost.

This instrument can teach. It can illuminate and yes it can even inspire, but it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it towards those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights, in a box.

Good night, and good luck.

- Edward R. Murrow, October 25, 1954.