Just want to point out that physics majors excel in all three parts of the GRE. What do physics and philosophy have in common, I wonder?
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Author: Mary Norris
Comment on The Undivided Life by Mary Norris
It makes me happy to read about your vision for a more inclusive engineering curriculum, Qalla. I think about who we invite to be engineers and who we discourage currently. Also, I wonder how the curriculum relates to the practice of engineering. What measures do we have to identify the most effective pieces and the pieces that could be dropped or changed?
Comment on “Shall we accept the change that caused by the Internet?” vs “Shall we accept that the change is caused by ourselves?” by Mary Norris
I thought I knew where you were going in this post, Xin–that we choose to change ourselves by spending time online and that we can choose to change ourselves in the opposite way by spending time offline. What a surprise to read what you actually meant! I had not thought of the ways that we shape the internet by our search behaviors or Harari’s idea of the importance of gossip in the rise of our species. Very interesting ideas. Thank you!
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Comment on An ADHD-driven Post by Mary Norris
I could follow your post quite easily, Meghan, and am jealous of your ability to write without editing!
Two thoughts:
First, I agree with your concern that we are exposed to so much information but we dob’t DO anything about it. I think that I sometimes use the excuse of just reading more (becoming better informed) to avoid action. It is also sometimes overwhelming to me to be exposed to so much information. It is too hard to consider what is important in making a decision. I can’t consider everything because there is just too much!
Second, I think that we can train our brains to read more than 2-3 pages just as we have trained them to flit from source to source. They are pretty malleable. We just need a reason to stay focused and the chance to practice.
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Comment on Public Education: Opportunity or Oppression? by Mary Norris
Wow, Elizabeth! I did not mean to sound so militant in my reply! Thank you for bringing up this subject about which I am obviously passionate. I wonder if I am listening as well as I should.
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Comment on Public Education: Opportunity or Oppression? by Mary Norris
Generally, I like the freedom to choose–my insurance and health care providers, where I live, who I partner with. But when it comes to k-12 education, I think that school “choice” by voucher is a cop out. Transferring public money to private schools increases racial and financial segregation and leaves those who cannot flee poor schools in ailing schools which have been further stripped of resources. I believe that most data indicate students who attend private schools perform no better on standardized measures of learning then similar students in public schools. The US has a long history of both legal and later defacto school segregation and segregation correlates with greater gaps in learning between the powerful and the oppressed. A large part of school funding comes from property taxes. Who do you think gets to attend better schools? More money provides nicer facilities, higher teacher salaries (multiple applicants per opening versus none), and more school funded educational opportunities (sports, music, drama, trips, speakers). Instead of looking ringing alarm bells about our failing schools and then using the alarm to shift public services into the for-profit sector, we need to change school funding practices.
On segregation and achievement gaps:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/10/23/forced-busing-didnt-fail-desegregation-is-the-best-way-to-improve-our-schools/?utm_term=.f3582988dafa
AND
https://tcf.org/content/commentary/private-school-vouchers-exacerbate-school-segregation/
On existing school voucher programs:
http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/school-vouchers/
On Betsy Devos (Rolling Stone, take with a few grains of salt, but worth reading if only to investigate some of the topics further):
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Comment on Shut Up And Listen by Mary Norris
You make a good point here. There is certainly a fine balance between the benefit to an individual student who wants to be heard and the sometimes disengagement of the rest of the class who may not benefit from listening. I think that most of us learn complex ideas socially, often through dialogue. However, in a whole class discussion in a large class, not everyone gets a chance to speak. I have been reading about student preconceptions lately–a big part of my research and a big topic in physics. Without some sort of dialogue, instructors cannot know their students’ preconceptions. But until students havc new ideas which challenge their preconceptions, dialogue produces no change. A possible solution in introductory classes is to offer to meet the talkative individual(s) to discuss their ideas after class. Those who want to stay can stay, and those who want to leave can leave.
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Comment on It’s all about execution. by Mary Norris
I love the quote you included–definitely a kernel of wisdom–and how you have found a way to relate it to your experiences. And your enthusiasm! Personally, I have to keep reminding myself that my interests are important enough to find a place in academia. Moments of clarity like this, when you see a personal path that fits into the “system,” are motivating for everyone. When you see your path it reminds me that I have one, too.Thanks for sharing, Jess!
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Comment on Everybody’s Talking–But Who is Listening? by Mary Norris
That makes a lot of sense, Rachel. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I think that your willingness to be disrupted is how the world changes. You are brave.
I often wonder what else will come along to shake my own sense of self and if I will be brave enough to feel it and let it change me. On some days I feel brave and on others I feel tired.
Comment on Strength in Differences by Mary Norris
I can relate as well. I, too, have been able to travel to places where most people do not look like me or speak my language. I think it is interesting that for us to really have this exposure, we have had to travel to somewhere exotic even though there is diversity all around us. Why do we not engage with people who look different from us at home? Is it less comfortable or socially unacceptable? Are we just too busy? Is it something that we would like to change?
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