Comments for Didactic Synapse

Comment on Yes. Teaching is Stressful. by Jenni

Jenni — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:11:00 +0000

Your love of your job is evident to many of your students, too. Not all of us, because, well, some of them hate being there and just don’t care to pay any attention to the classroom. But you have a way of showing your passion and finding fun ways to teach things that so many people find dry and just required reading.

So thank you for being one of the amazing teachers who put up with the stress and still remain upbeat and inspiring.

Comment on Why War is Boring is Boring by David Axe

David Axe — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 08:29:23 +0000

As the author in question, I have to disagree. That said, this is a thoughtful review. Thanks.

Comment on How Do Students Get Better? by Didactic SynCast #74: Foxconn and the A-Bomb « Didactic Synapse

Didactic SynCast #74: Foxconn and the A-Bomb « Didactic Synapse — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 17:54:29 +0000

[...] ESP: How do students get better? [...]

Comment on The 10 Best Websites Ever by gas grill accessories

gas grill accessories — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:51:52 +0000

The post was uninteresting. Everyday living moves on.

Comment on Didactic SynCast #71: Brazilian Drug Dealers Are More Ethical Than US Corporations by Bill Tyson Wakarula

Bill Tyson Wakarula — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 05:52:10 +0000

This post was twittered to me. I’m like wtf. But great post man. And I’m thankful that I came to read it. I read a similar post before but yours is more up to date. I totally dig anything to do with technology, science or space. I hope you don’t mind if I share it on Twitter. Totally awesome, thank you so much.

Comment on Why I Was Not at School on Thursday by Burl

Burl — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 04:49:34 +0000

Hello there are choosing WordPress for the site platform? Iam a new comer to the blog entire world nevertheless. Iam trying to get started out and set up my very own. I also learned about Drupal is fine. Sees my alternative…. Helpful post, thanks.

Comment on Communism is Good by Gale Cusatis

Gale Cusatis — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 20:59:48 +0000

Thanks for your write-up on the traveling industry. I will also like contribute that if you are one senior taking into consideration traveling, it is absolutely imperative that you buy traveling insurance for golden-agers. When traveling, retirees are at high risk of having a professional medical emergency. Getting the right insurance plan package for one’s age group can protect your health and provide peace of mind.

Comment on VAM and Merit Pay by esp

esp — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:01:53 +0000

There are obviously shortcomings in any system of compensation. The main argument against the current model of seniority- and education-level-based pay for teachers is that no matter how crappy the teacher’s teaching is, s/he will still get paid the same amount (and get more every year). I understand this concern.

However — even though I know a few teachers who don’t put in good work in the classroom — this does not seem like a huge problem to me. No one stays in a job that requires so much stress, paperwork, energy, and time unless s/he has a tremendous passion for education. And when teachers DO screw up and get on the Slacking Boat, there are many ways to deal with it other than docking pay.

Merit pay opens the door to punishing good teachers based on many, many factors beyond their control. (And of course you’re right — every job suffers from this problem. But imagine we paid cops less if they didn’t prevent crimes from happening. Or paid dentists less if their patients got more cavities.)

Comment on Why I Love America by JRH

JRH — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 11:34:45 +0000

Well said, E.

Comment on VAM and Merit Pay by Dillon

Dillon — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:34:05 +0000

Merit Pay does not have to be directly linked to test scores or student performance. You may argue that teaching has intangibles that cannot be accurately measured for performance, but the same is true for almost all jobs and yet administrators still find ways to set a salary for these employees. A combination of student results, and evaluation by colleagues, students, administrators, and parents, as well as numerous other factors could be considered to introduce a merit pay system.