Louis probably won't understand this, it's a bit parochial, but in recent
weeks those list members (not just on sd) who apparently can't find the
delete button on their keyboards increasingly remind me of Mary Whitehouse,
who could never find the 'off' button of her TV, but insisted on watching
what she knew she would't like, and then attacked the programme makers!
By the way, folks, you might have less call to delete me in future - I am
taking early retirement from July 31. But wait a minute, don't cheer too
loudly, I am coming back to Derby part-time, and will still have a role in
educational development. In my spare time I hope to do some consultancy, but
also relax a bit and maybe get better on the lute.
No, I have not been forced out, I have no real beef with my institution,
which has been very fair, but there are changes in the institution, partly
caused by the uncertainly and negativity of the national environment, which
make it a sensible time to go. Plus, some of you will know, I am
increasingly frustrated by decisions made in all sorts of national bodies,
from the government downwards, and I think there is a lack of critical
analysis and intellectual energy in those who have the power to lobby for
change or actually change things - perhaps because of parochial interests.
And I don't think it is me who is losing the plot, quite the contrary, but
the government, funding and regulatory bodies do seem a bit plotless at the
moment with regard to research, widening access, and raising the quality of
teaching in the sector. Or rather the main plot seems to be to impoverish
everyone, staff, students, researchers, institutions (except the elite who
are keeping up their pretence of poverty quite well - oh, I suppose when you
can't afford caviar it seems like poverty. Everything is relative.)
League tables and the RAE are truly depressing, as they condemn half of UK
HE to a below average status, regardless of the narrowness of any supposed
divide, or the very real strengths of individual institutions, teachers and
researchers. When I sit on the platform on awards day, tears come to my eyes
(quite literally - I'm a bit emotional at times) but not just because of all
the young people we have helped to achieve success, often beyond their own
expectations, but because their achievements are demeaned by the stupidity
of those who want to know the rating of everything, but understand the value
of nothing.
And I think staff and educational developers have also been a bit supine and
too ready to accept agendas offering beads with a thin coating of silver.
I wish those of you remaining (who include myself part-time) good luck.
Chris O'Hagan
PS By the way, if everyone thought about their experiences and students like
Louis does, education would be a much better place, and I don't think we
would all be worn out, because that kind of thinking creates its own energy.
Actually, some staff on my PGCE course did encourage that kind of thinking
in us. I think Louis is perhaps better understood by those who had that
kind of training, and wish they had made more of it! Of course, when you
decide to make this or that kind of thinking public, there are various
motivations lurking which are not all about modesty! ;-) But it doesn't
necessarily mean the thinking or the narrative itself is invalidated by the
motivation. I like people who recognise the importance of narrative anyway.
And I would rather be thought to be (and be) a bit sentimental or even naive
at times, than cold-eyed and generally cynical. So I read Louis with
interest when the mood takes me, and sometimes I just use the delete button.
-----Original Message-----
From: Discusses staff and curriculum development in higher education
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Jessica Claridge
Sent: 09 July 2002 10:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: OOOPS
Stick with it, Louis. People can always press the delte
button.
Jessica.
On Mon, 8 Jul 2002 11:05:22 -0400 Louis_Schmier
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Please don't be mad at me. My humblest apologies. I just learned from
> the computer people tell me that for whatever reason the computer hiccuped
> and hicuped and hiccuped gagging and throwing itself into a small internal
> loop. The result is the multiple copies you're receiving of my last RT.
> Sorry for clogging your mailbox. At least, the computer, like us, isn't
> perfect. Makes me kinda feel good.
>
>
>
> Make it a good day.
>
> --Louis--
>
>
> Louis Schmier www.therandomthoughts.com
> Department of History www.halcyon.com/arborhts/louis.html
> Valdosta State University
> Valdosta, GA 31698 /~\ /\ /\
> 229-333-5947 /^\ / \ / /~\ \ /~\__/\
> / \__/ \/ / /\ /~\/
\
> /\/\-/ /^\_____\____________/__/_______/^\
> -_~ / "If you want to climb mountains, \ /^\
> _ _ / don't practice on mole hills" -
\____
----------------------
Jessica Claridge
University of Exeter
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