Currently Reading Educating Rita (Longman Literature) By Willy Russell, Suzy Graham-Adriani see related

Education: Engaging the Apathetic

Ever since I can remember, I have loved learning and teaching--I suppose I felt drawn to it.  As a three-year-old, my favorite question was "WHY," and in many ways, this tendency never lost its hold.  I read voraciously as a young girl, and this tendency continues still today.  As a twelve-year-old, I spent my summer (even during the family trip to Canada) reading several books (not childish ones with pictures: real books) about German history.

In addition, as a little girl, I imagined being a teacher.  I pretended and always "played teacher" with my little chalkboard.  Nothing gives you more satisfaction than a gleam in a student's eyes when they finally grasp a concept with which they have been grappling.  When you have a lesson that goes great, and the whole class is mentally and emotionally involved in a discussion or debate, you feel like you have actually accomplished something.  In fact, I cannot imagine myself in any other position than that of a teacher or a professor.

However, there are negative aspects to the job as well.  One of the most frustrating aspects lies in the growing apathy of students with regard to learning.  No one cares.

When I ask students what they think about a given topic, I get blank stares.  What?!  You mean, have an opinion...of our own...thinking for ourselves?!  Oh good God, not that!!!!

Lemmings, simply lemmings.  When I get into such a situation, I could tear my hair out, and it is at times like these moments that I ask myself: what has brought the youth to such apathy?

First, I searched within my own being, because I think the first key to understanding your environment is to search within yourself.  Am I somehow provoking this response?  Am I open and receptive?  Do I display enough enthusiasm?  Do I provide an environment of caring and foster trust so that they will talk with me?  However, I think I do everything I can with regard to these areas.

Then, I look at the pupils.  Are they capable?  Yes, many of the students are quite bright.  Are they informed?  Yes, they are aware of the major arguments and facts...well, sometimes....

So, I have to look at the system.  Most intelligent people enter the world with an interest in the world around them.  At which point did this natural caring stop?  What caused it?

Education should bring about the best in humanity.  It should teach us to think rationally while expanding our minds and boosting our creativity.  It should engage us and help us to learn how to deal with our fellow man; therefore, it must impart to us the essentials of communication and simple "people skills" that are necessary in order to survive and be successful in the world.

However, education has failed us.  Instead of broadening our minds, it limits our potential.  Lessons have to be catered so that the "average" student can understand the material, meaning that below-average students get lost, and highly intelligent students are bored to death. 

Instead of encouraging us to be creative, education socializes us to think within the norm.  Teachers give expectations, and if you do not follow those expectations within the given guidelines while following the rules, you will be penalized with lower grades and/or other punitive measures.  Bureaucracy regarding teaching and learning methods are constrictive.  Of course, discipline is important, and tradition is necessary, but not to the extent at which all creativity is eliminated.

Rather than assisting us to deal with reality and people, education gives us grand generalizations that are generally inapplicable to real life, with very few exceptions.  I have never heard of a way by which I can read, listen, and talk so much and learn so little.  I feel like our teachers are politicians....

We do not learn to cooperate and communicate: we learn to compete and isolate ourselves.  How else do you explain cliques?  How else do you explain the concept of GPA?  Why can't I just get grades, and that is the end of it?  Why do I have a ranking system, whereby I can compare to find my value and worth?

Instead of expanding my awareness and increasing my love for reading and learning, education tends to quell this innate desire.  I feel as though I am constantly swimming against the tide so that my passion for soaking up knowledge does not become totally suppressed and eliminated.  Sometimes, I even feel empty.  My writing does not reflect myself: it reflects some teacher's or professor's notions of what a work "ought" to be. 

Then I think about my students, sitting there like lemmings, and I come to a certain realization: most of these students have been broken.  They fell into the trap of conformity, and they blindly accepted this socialization.  Now, they do not care. 

Today, I had an odd experience in class.  I told my twelvth grade students that they could choose any discussion of their choice, and they had ten minutes to pick a topic.  I even offered suggestions to get them started.  After they picked the topic, they had to return to the class and have a five-to ten-minute free discussion (without notecards) about the topic.

While I explained (and handed out a worksheet with the assignment written on it), I made it quite clear that they should have an ordinary discussion, like they would in German.  In other words, I told them: you should have a kind of a ping-pong conversation, where you interact with each other.

I gave them ten minutes to organize their ideas.

When they came back, I was astonished at the results.  Half of the class (in groups of 2-4) discussed the whole time what they would discuss, without coming to any conclusion.  

Then, the groups that actually did come up with a topic did not follow the directions.  I called on a group, and one girl simply stated, "We chose vegetarianism for our discussion.  I do not believe in vegetarianism."  Silence. 

I figured perhaps my directions were not clear enough.  So I clarified.  "Well, you chose a great topic; however, I was hoping you would have a little debate or discussion about the topic in your group in front of the class.  So, do you all agree?"  A couple shook their heads.  "Okay, so the people who believe in vegetarianism could say that they are vegetarian.  Others can ask them, well why are you a vegetarian, or what made you become a vegetarian, i.e.: at what point?"  So, they sort of got it and had a relatively okay discussion.

Group 2: same problem, although I had just explained the whole process to Group 1.  Am I speaking in Russian, I thought?  Of course, on the outside, I was patient, but I thought to myself, what the heck?   They just spewed their viewpoint in one sentence at me, and that was the end of that.

What happened to creativity?  They could have chosen anything,  ANYTHING of interest to them.  I even gave them some ideas, so they would not have sooo broad of a choice that they would feel like a deer in headlights and go blank.  What else could I do?  I wrote down everything very clearly and concisely on a piece of paper.  ARGH.

The other day, I spent 25 minutes of a lesson explaining the assignment.  Not once.  Not twice.  Not three times.  Even after they said, "Ooh, I get it," they did it wrong.  They are simply lazy, too lazy to do the problem right.

So, I thought to myself: I am the problem.  Everytime I have a problem like this issue, I go to the teacher, and I ask, "Please tell me what I did wrong so that I can learn." I enjoy constructive criticism: it helps.

These are the various responses I get: "Oh, don't take it personally: they are always like that."  "Every teacher complains about this class."  "This class is lazy and they do not want to work."  "This class never does their work."  "This class always talks to each other and never listens."

Then, I say, "Well, I want to inspire them.  I want them to enjoy working with me.  I come in here, enthusiastically and energetically (sincerely and genuinely so ), and they do not seem to respond.  Obviously, I am doing something wrong."

A few times, students have come up to me after class, and they have said, "Renée, we really appreciate that you try to make the lessons interesting.  Do not listen to these other people: they are just immature."  (sigh)

I guess--I figured if I just treated the students like adults and gave them some freedom, they would respond.  However, hey just sit there and stare at me as if I am nuts.

So, all I can imagine is that our education system has failed us.  By the time these students reach me, their love of learning is gone.  I just wish I could help them find this love again...

Do I need to explain the political ramifications of a populace who does not care about learning, reading, thinking for themselves, etc.?  I think not.  I do not think this type of system bodes well for our future....

Currently Playing No Need to Argue By Cranberries see related

- -

Clarification: My Political Viewpoint

Na ja, nun ist es ja soweit!!!  (slams her fist on the table) Apparently I need to clarify my political position, since everyone (including Xanga) has made a grave mistake.

Now will someone please explain to me why everyone now believes I am a Neo-Nazi?!?!?!?!  

If anyone bothered to look at my comments, he/she would notice that I post comments to conservatives, liberals, libertarians, national socialists, communists and anarchists.  BIG FRICKING DEAL!!!  Hello, I am a political scientist--of course I am interested in all ideologies from a purely intellectual point of view!  However, logic would dictate that I do not ascribe to them all. 

For everyone's information, I have been trying to understand the recent developments in Germany regarding the far right.  So, I have been writing and reading various individuals' web sites to get a better glimpse of what National Socialists and far-right-wing individuals believe. 

Now some people might say, "Well, go to an established place to discover stuff like that; for example, the Elie Wiesel Foundation or the Washington, D.C. Holocaust Memorial." There are a few problems with those suggestions.  (a) It would be extremely biased to search these places without going straight to the source and understanding National Socialists directly. (b) These organizations deal primarily with National Socialists during World War Two and not current ones.  Surely, they can be helpful, but only within certain limitations.

Last time I checked, such inquiries and research were allowed; however, I might have missed some obscure clause in the PATRIOT ACT that prohibits it.   If I have, please let me know.

With regard to my actual political beliefs, I am a Libertarian who supports the rights and liberties of everyone to voice his/her political opinion.  So, when I say the NPD should have the right to demonstrate and speak, that does not mean I am a Nazi, okay?!  It just means I support the Bill of Rights for everyone in America and the freedom of speech guaranteed to every German in the Grundgesetz, not just people who support the mainstream ideals, as long as no one gets hurt.

As a Libertarian, I believe in as little governmental interference as possible in moral, economic, and foreign affairs.  When I said the government and organizations should not interfere in terms of ethics, I also mean interference with regards to freedom of speech and expression.  By the way, this freedom also includes the right for Renée to look at certain websites for research without being called a Nazi, okay?!?!?!?!  

Now, is that statement clear?  Have you all understood now?  Will people stop assuming I am National Socialist?  GOD!!! 

Obviously I said something that angered someone enough to deny me normal access to my site, although I said nothing wrong.  Now I have to access my account the long way.  I said nothing to hurt anyone or harm anybody.  I simply said all groups should have the right to express their opinion, and I gave an example of the NPD and an example regarding people (usually liberals) who do not care for Bush.  So, I was being fair and unbiased, because I gave a left-wing and a right-wing example.  Where is the problem, people?! 

Jesus H. Christ, you have to watch everything you say nowadays .  Next thing I know, I will be labeled an Anarchist or a Nazi or a danger to society .  Bloody hell, I am a political science student.  A harmless student trying to learn about certain ideologies through a direct, first-person resource.  If I were a Nazi, do you think I would be communicating with liberals and communists?  I think not.  Don't you get it?  GRRRRRRRRR!!!

Sure, I offer constructive criticism regarding democracy, but that fact does not mean I hate democracy.  It means: I think it should be reformed and perfected, so that such extremist groups do not need to exist.  Maybe 95% of what an extremist says is bunk, but they might have a legitimate basis for their views (even if their views are way out there), which could improve the way democracy functions.  Perhaps this basis is what interests people in extremist groups.  In that case, it would behoove mainstream parties to take these ideas into account so that people do not HAVE to vote NPD to feel like something will get done.

Now that I have ranted and raved, I will continue to prepare for tomorrow's classes.  Hopefully I will not have to see this stupid message from Xanga tomorrow that I have seen for four or five days now:

We are performing scheduled maintenance right now, the site will be back up shortly.

Thanks for your patience,
The Xanga Team

Until then, I wish you all well.  I am sure my negative feedback will fly through the roof, but I suppose we all need a bit of constructive criticism....

Currently Playing Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Concertos By Antonio Vivaldi, Karoly Botvay, Max Pommer, Budapest Strings, Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum Leipzig, Lajos Mayer, Burkhard Glaetzner, Kurt Sandau, Ludwig Guttler, Bela Banfalvi see related

-

Today, I want to write a personal entry rather than a political diatribe.  If you would rather see a satirical, cynical, political commentary, just view the two posts below this entry.

I am so excited, because I have just received permission to stay another year in Germany as a teaching assistant!  WOO HOO!  Not only can I remain in Germany, but I can also stay at the same school in the same town.  What luck!  The teachers said they could not remember anyone having been allowed to stay a second year in a row before now!  (pats herself on the back!)

Of course, in the meantime I will study for the TESTDaF (German equivalent of the TOEFL) and the GRE, so that I can apply to German and American schools.  If I attend graduate school in America, I want to go to Georgetown University or George Washington University.  If I decide to stay in Germany, I want to study at the University of Münster or the University of Heidelberg.  We will just have to wait and see.

In July, I will finally be able to go back to Australia to visit my aunt. (I love Australia!!!) In August, I will visit my family in America; then I will return to Germany in September! Craziness!

While I have taught in Germany, it became quite clear to me that teaching is my calling.  As a result, I definitely want to become a teacher with the ultimate goal of achieving tenure at a university.  We all have to have our goals and dreams!!!  It is important to know and realize your purpose in life, and I have finally discovered what it is!

So, I have to continue planning my lessons for tomorrow.  Duty calls!

Currently Reading The Da Vinci Code By Dan Brown see related

Freedom of Expression: Now, Do I Have to Watch with Whom I Speak?

Now, last time I checked we were in a democracy.  As a person who loves democracy and the freedoms it ensures, censorship really agitates me .

Because I am a curious and freedom-loving person, I support the rights of all individuals to speak.  In my opinion, meritocracy will win, and the individuals who are most rational and correct will naturally gain the most support.  Therefore, censorship is not necessary.

For years, I have been a student of politics and history; for that reason, the political beliefs of people on both sides of the isle, extreme and centrist, fascinate me greatly .  As a result, I talk to people who are anarchists and national socialists, conservatives and liberals, Democrats and Republicans, and every centrist in between.

Now some people tell me I SHOULD NOT talk to different individuals because their beliefs are "radical" and "extreme" and "dangerous to democracy."  As far as I am concerned, censorship of expression is "dangerous to democracy," and I do not care for it in the slightest.

If I want to talk to various individuals because I am interested in other people's point of view, finding out what makes them tick, whether they are centrist or extreme, that is my prerogative  .  I have never in my life committed a crime worse than keeping books out of the library longer than I should have.  What can I say (shrugs)? I am a bit forgetful...I have a lot on my mind regarding my future and my studies .  However, I hardly think that minor infraction makes me a danger or threat to society....  Therefore, allow me to have my freedom!

People should rather be concerned with fighting crime on the streets, stopping our invasive, interfering policies regarding other countries, securing our own borders, and providing a good educational system to our youth that promotes REAL learning before trying to censor a LAW-ABIDING citizen who only means well for her country.  

And if understanding politics and political theory includes conversing with some National Socialists, Communists, or Anarchists for balance's sake, then please do NOT cut out my tongue (metaphorically speaking) .  If I want a centrist's, liberal's, or a conservative's perspective, I do not have to go very far to find it (shrugs).  You have to hunt a bit to find out what "extremists" think. 

Furthermore, I think understanding different political views provides a student with a more balanced perspective.  Just because I talk to a Socialist does not make me a Socialist.  Just because I talk to a National Socialist (Nazi), that does not make me a Nazi, for the love of God!!  I am an autonomous human being who can think for herself.  As a 25-year-old future doctoral candidate, if I want to do a bit of hunting and investigating to satisfy my political curiosity, so be it .

Besides, everyone makes commentary about "Neo-Nazis" in Germany or former Communists from the East, and they talk out their rear ends, because they do not have the faintest idea what the ideology means.  Why do people adhere to the ideology?  Well if you do not talk to the people, how the hell are you going to know ? 

Maybe they have some good points you could include in a reform proposal.  For example, you can reform great differences among classes, or the exorbitant tax rate and the burden on the middle class, the increase of governmental power and bureaucracy, or the unfair treatment of whites in reverse discrimination.  Of course, you do not have to become a "Nazi," an "Anarchist,"or a "Socialist," but you can listen and have rational debate.  For the most part, "extremists" are *extremely* cordial, if you treat them with the same dignity and respect you would treat a centrist (shrugs). Wow, what a shock!  

Finally, maybe if we actually CHANGED something for the better (rather than just talking out our rear ends ), the need for "extremist" groups would be eliminated. 

In conclusion, I think my discussions with "extremists" are both healthy and normal.  Regarding my controversial comments, a little bit of constructive criticism is necessary in order to ensure the survival of democracy.  However, that criticism should not imply that I hate democracy.  If I give a young person some advice regarding molding his arguments to fit his audience, you should thank me, not criticize me, because I am right!

To quote Dead Poets Society, "No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world." It is better to use the pen than the sword; it is fruitful to use diplomacy and discussion rather than shutting people up.  After all, is that not what democracy is all about?

Currently Reading Bis Zur Letzten Stunde: Hitlers Sekretarin Erzahlt Ihr Leben By Gertraud Junge, Christine Walde see related

Western Democracy: A Prevailing Democratic Deficit?

After having spent nine months in Germany, it has become clear to me that the democratic deficit phenomenon is not limited to the United States as a result of the attacks on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.  Rather, it even occurs in Europe, where such attacks never took place! I have to say it is akin to the statement at the end of Animal Farm, (please note: this quote is not direct; rather I utilize a bit of poetic license):

"Everyone has the freedom of speech!  But some people have more freedom than others!"*

How ridiculous!!!  In a democracy, you cannot pick and choose which groups have the right to express themselves in which fashion!  Leave that method to the communists, who lock people up for having religious beliefs or throw people in Gulags for expressing dissenting political opinions. 

In Germany, there is a ruckus concerning the NPD (Nationaldemokratische Partei Deutschlands), which is a well-known "right-wing" party.  This party received nation-wide attention after having captured several seats in the Sachsen parliament (Landestag).  After having read the political platform, I discovered that they are really no more extreme than the typical reactionary conservative here in the Southern states, but the ideas are really taboo in Germany.

Apparently, on May 8, 2005, the NPD staged a huge protest in Berlin, where people commemorated the 60th Anniversary of the end of the war.  They wanted to address the atrocities committed by the Allies, such as the bombing of Dresden and the destruction of civilian populations where there were little or no military installations.  In addition, they wanted to combat the pervasive "Kriegsschuld" (war guilt) that has plagued the Germans (and immobilized them in many ways) since the end of the war. 

Well, these "bad" Germans were really lambasted for their insensitivity and "racism."  Some people decided that limits should be placed upon the party's ability to express their views in public.  Others even advocated the abolition of the party!!!  Since when do we not allow certain groups of people to express their opinions?

Then, the situation became very precarious when the NPD organized a march against the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin a few days later.  ALL hell broke loose!  All of a sudden, the media said that the party was obviously filled with a bunch of "racist hatemongers with boots and braces shouting 'Sieg Heil!'"  Hmm, yeaaah, just like that....

Of course, what the completely unbiased (!!) media forgot to tell everyone is that this post-modern monstrosity (which really does not fit in at all with the surroundings) cost over 20 million euros of taxpayer dollars during a time of record unemployment and economic crisis, where the government has to scrounge for money to keep everything afloat.  Seems strange that in a city with at least five memorials to the Jewish dead, we need to make one more (just to be sure!) when that money could go to help starving, old, or impoverished people.  Tsk, tsk, tsk...maybe the NPD had a point....

To top it all off, there are demostrations all the time by left-wing groups that nearly go unchecked.  Although Germany experienced a longer period of communism (which is just as "undemocratic" as "fascism"), Germans continually target right-wing groups that I would not even consider "fascist" by my definition of the word.  In fact, some "right-wing" groups would be considered normal "conservatives" here.

Germany: the land where if you say you are proud to be German, you are a Nazi.  Hmm, if every AMERICAN who said "I am proud to be an American" would be considered a Nazi, we might as well just change the Stars and Stripes to a great, big Red-White-and-Black flag with a huge Swastika in the center!

Germany: the land where if you disagree with a memorial because you can think of better use for the money, you are a Nazi.  Shame on me: I am actually rational and intelligent!

Germany: the land where if you criticize a stupid foreign policy play by Israel, you are a radical anti-Semite.  After all, they are occupying a country, and I thought we Western democracies do not like that kind of power play? Hmm...sure, that makes sense.

Do we see a trend here?  This radical thinking reminds me of the trend in America after the bombing of the WTC, except a mirror image.  A reflection in reverse, so to speak.

In America, you had to play "follow the leader."  Now, boys and girls, remember what a great leader President Bush is! Now put your hand over your heart, memorize the Pledge of Allegiance, and tell me once again why America is the best country in the world!

(You should have seen the faces of the German kids when I put my hand over my heart and recited the Pledge of Allegiance!  Ha! I think they thought they were transported back about 70 years....)

A few months ago, I spoke to my grandmother about Bush.  Now, I am not a left-wing nut; in fact, there is no real description for my political beliefs, but it is anything other than left-wing.  However, this leader is atrocious!

I was criticizing a foreign-policy play by the President, and my grandmother got extremely frustrated with me.  She said:

"I do not know what those people in Germany tell you, but here, we LOVE OUR PRESIDENT."

I thought: "Jesus H. Christ!"  Next, I suppose I should click my heels, put my fist over my heart and say, "Jawohl!"

If you did not agree with the president, you were NOT a patriot.  You did not love your country; you were a heathen!  Again, I thought you were supposed to be able to say whatever you felt like in a democracy.  BLAH.

Is that not interesting?  So, in Germany, you have people getting hell in a handbasket for saying they are proud to be German and asking people to think about how they act.  Germany for Germans: what an evil concept!

Then, in America, you have people who say, "I am not proud about the current trends in my country.  Our leader is leading us down the path of no return.  We have no real choices for leaders anymore; Republicans, Democrats, they are all the same.  Please think about what we are doing."  How dare you!  You are supposed to be a patriotic American: you evil soul!

Regardless of how it is manifest, the problem is a democratic deficit.  We may experience it differently, but democracy has failed us.  Opposing factions can no longer express their views as they see fit, because the leadership has lost such a grip on their control that they feel the need to squeeze our necks until we lose our last breath.  This trend must turn before democracy completely loses its meaning and becomes merely a covert dictatorship.

Or has it....?

*Please note: the use of quotation marks is poetic license, and it is typically not grammatically correct when it reflects one's own speech.  I have used this poetic license as a rhetorical device.