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Well, I turned in my grades a few days ago. Spring term is over. I only failed two students for plagiarism this time. (sigh...)
I had some top-notch students this term, and I am so grateful for them, because they really kept me from despairing over the bottom-notch ones. I had students who couldn't put a sentence together. I had to spend a whole class period teaching a 200-level class how to write a 5-paragraph essay (and this was at Drury, a private university, not at the community college).
The co-existence of excellent students with abysmal ones tells me that the problem really isn't with the schools. I think it's in the homes. I think that the difference is students who had parents who took an interest in their school work, who read to them, and who communicated with their teachers. And maybe even corrected their grammar from time to time.
I don't know. I know what my kids are learning in elementary and middle school, and there's no reason in the world for them not to be able to write a short essay by their second year in college.
It's very frustrating, because these students are in training to be our teachers, nurses, and businesspeople. Some of them are going to be great, but some of them should worry us. A lot.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The Problem With The Media
We were talking about journalism on one of my writing groups, and my friend Kim Wilson posted the following reflections on it. I thought they were pretty insightful, and I'm posting them with her permission for your consideration. I'd love to know your thoughts. --Kat
In my opinion, change within the media needs to start with credibility. My journalism teacher from long ago was from the old-school way of thinking. I imagine he's rolling over in his grave at what our modern day media has become. Anyway, when I think about friendly persuasion, I think about credibility. After all, how can any media source accomplish persuasion if their credibility is questioned by readers/viewers.
For what it's worth, here are some changes I'd like to see implemented among the various newsformats (television, print and electronic):
1. Correct use of terminology.
One of my pet peeves in today's media is the word "Soldier" when used as a universal term referencing military members. The U.S. Military is composedof Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. When I see or hear the incorrectusage of "Soldier" I want to tell the reporter or anchor to go up to a Marine and ask him/her how he/she likes being a Soldier and see how the Marine reacts. This particular inaccuracy tells me the person behind the story hasn't done their homework. Servicemembers get prickly over this and rightly so. Each member chose a particular branch and they're proud ofthat branch. Most of the time, their unfavorable reaction to being called a Soldier stems from pride, not ego.
2. Higher standards of reporting.
On Monday the Trentonian (a Trenton, NJ newspaper) published an article about a police involved shooting (the officer discharged one shot). The reporter wrapped up the article with this prose: "Detectives in the copshop's Internal Affairs Unit have been summoned to investigate the incident,which is standard practice when a police officer unloads his or her heat." When I came upon that paragraph, I stopped. Certain I'd read it wrong, I went back and reread the paragraph. My first thought was, "Unloads his or her heat? You gotta be kidding me," followed by "An editor actually approved this copy?" For anyone that's interested, you can read the article in its entirety at http://tinyurl.com/5eepfa
3. Misleading headlines.
How many times have you gone to an online news site, clicked on a headline only to find the headline had nothing to do with the article? Or, the headline completely contradicted the article? I feel duped when this happens. One occurrence, I can tolerate, but after a second time, I stop visiting the site.
4. Don't be in a such a hurry to scoop.
It seems today's media is obsessed with scooping each other. I understand the concept of scooping (really, I do.) and that it's a fundamental part of journalism. However, it's gotten to the point that most of the time factual information is sacrificed for the sake of holding the title of "You heard/read it here first." I don't know about you folks, but I'd rather wait a little longer and get an accurate story, versus a quick dose of misinformation.
Anyway, as I said earlier, I believe persuasion begins with credibility. I look forward to reading what others have to say about this topic.
Happy writing,
Kim
In my opinion, change within the media needs to start with credibility. My journalism teacher from long ago was from the old-school way of thinking. I imagine he's rolling over in his grave at what our modern day media has become. Anyway, when I think about friendly persuasion, I think about credibility. After all, how can any media source accomplish persuasion if their credibility is questioned by readers/viewers.
For what it's worth, here are some changes I'd like to see implemented among the various newsformats (television, print and electronic):
1. Correct use of terminology.
One of my pet peeves in today's media is the word "Soldier" when used as a universal term referencing military members. The U.S. Military is composedof Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. When I see or hear the incorrectusage of "Soldier" I want to tell the reporter or anchor to go up to a Marine and ask him/her how he/she likes being a Soldier and see how the Marine reacts.
2. Higher standards of reporting.
On Monday the Trentonian (a Trenton, NJ newspaper) published an article about a police involved shooting (the officer discharged one shot). The reporter wrapped up the article with this prose: "Detectives in the copshop's Internal Affairs Unit have been summoned to investigate the incident,which is standard practice when a police officer unloads his or her heat." When I came upon that paragraph, I stopped. Certain I'd read it wrong, I went back and reread the paragraph. My first thought was, "Unloads his or her heat? You gotta be kidding me," followed by "An editor actually approved this copy?" For anyone that's interested, you can read the article in its entirety at http://tinyurl.com/5eepfa
3. Misleading headlines.
How many times have you gone to an online news site, clicked on a headline only to find the headline had nothing to do with the article? Or, the headline completely contradicted the article? I feel duped when this happens. One occurrence, I can tolerate, but after a second time, I stop visiting the site.
4. Don't be in a such a hurry to scoop.
It seems today's media is obsessed with scooping each other. I understand the concept of scooping (really, I do.) and that it's a fundamental part of journalism. However, it's gotten to the point that most of the time factual information is sacrificed for the sake of holding the title of "You heard/read it here first." I don't know about you folks, but I'd rather wait a little longer and get an accurate story, versus a quick dose of misinformation.
Anyway, as I said earlier, I believe persuasion begins with credibility. I look forward to reading what others have to say about this topic.
Happy writing,
Kim
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Abby is Awesome
Sunday was the end-of-year choir concert for the middle school and high school. They also gave out choir awards, and guess who won the Performance Award, for being the best performer and having the best voice in the whole 7th/8th grade choir?????
Abby, that's who. Could you not tell that from the headline?
The whole choir voted, and they voted to give Abby that award. How awesome is my baby????
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