Educational Discourse

Well, as Dan points out, this tv thing has sure been a real discussion maker. Now, a few weeks ago, I wrote about Andrew Keen and his comments about the internet, professional media and monkeys. It was picked up by Vicki Davis who did a wonderful job in her post. Now, the one thing that struck me was her comment:

Insults do not accomplish anything, nor does stopping your ears

It also reminds me of those who would stop their ears as they rushed to burn heretics at the stake. Listening to the opinions of others (yes, even Keen’s) is a good thing. Listening to only one side is not.

So far, in various posts, I’ve been referred to as a hypocrite and a tv snob (in a good natured, teasing way.)

Let’s put the names away. There is no place for this when having a discussion or debate about something.

On that note, I took exception to Dan’s comment that this is a
nifty personality test for teachers. From my vantage point, this thing really defines you.

Now, as I replied to Dan, I wonder if he is really that shallow (in a teasing kind of way). I wonder how my thoughts or stance on a particular media can define me as a teacher, administrator and educator or be a test of my personality? I’m curious about this.

As a leader, I work very hard not to do such things to the teachers I work with or the students in the hallow halls of our school. I don’t dismiss parents ideas or points of view even when I dont’ agree with them. As many of you know, I have used these points as reflection moments for me on a topic – seeing where they are coming from and trying to find solutions for what is going on. This topic is no different, kinda.

See, I’ve had 13 years to reflect and think about this and look at the different sides. I don’t wear this a badge of honour, it’s a lifestyle choice just like eating organically or exercising or smoking or drinking or… However, for the first time, it has been suggested that this decision makes my professional integrity and my ability as an educator questionable. Whoa!

Now, I’ve had many a thing said because my family doesn’t have commercial tv but to make the leap to question my entire personality and professional integrity is a first.  Dan goes on to quote Michael K who left a comment from which I borrow:

To blindly eliminate television from ones environment isn’t a stand against television at all, it’s an admission that one cannot exist – simultaneously and in moderation – with an inanimate device; it isn’t a statement of intelligence, but an admission of ignorance.

So Dan, I do wonder at the shallow (again, in a teasing kind a way) suggestion that this defines me as a person or in any way has any reflection on me as a teacher. I hope you really don’t mean that, by not viewing a particular medium, I’m less professional or less able to do my work as an educator than you. That, in some way I’m ignorant because of a lifestyle decision. That in your desire to prove you point, you misrepresented yourself. As Vicki Davis summizes:

Listening to the opinions of others (yes, even Keen’s) is a good thing. Listening to only one side is not.

My discussion goes much beyond just the physcological effects of tv. I look at the physiological and physical effects and how that is impacting our society. I examine how such shows as Ultimate Fight have influenced events that have seriously affected the community in which I live.  I’ve watched how particular viewing habits of a spouse have had detrimental effects on a marriage, particularly two which were very close to me.

Also, I have 7 children, 5 of which go to the school in which I am a principal. You know what. They fit in and, gasp, aren’t freaks. Now, curiuosly, many of their friends “hang” at our house and one of the reasons is the activities that take place. So, besides just my children’s viewing habits, I get to hear what is going on with the viewing habits of other kids their age and we discuss everything from Pokemon to  Big Brother, American Idol, Sweet Sixteen plus a whole host of others.  I get to discuss and question and all those wonderful things that take place when discussions are lively. So, Dan, I probably get to discuss tv and programming much more than most teachers, to hear the reasons for viewing habits. And because I teach Communication Prodcution Technology, I have the students study the impact of radio, television, music, internet and other communication medium on society and on the individuals in my class. Blanket statements of “hypocracy reeking” need to be made when you are positive that your blanket will cover the whole. I’m disappointed that you would suggest such a thing about professionalism based on someone not agreeing with you. I don’t illegal do drugs but I discuss and will continue to discuss the harmful effects of their use on the body, even my use of legal drugs like caffeine and painkillers. I don’t understand NASCAR watching but I have a very good friend who has been to Indy twice. I can, however, appreciate the skill of the drivers and the wonder of the cars and have, in past garage discussions, been able to partake in discussions about NASCAR because of my own experience with cars. I’m not a historian nor have I been to Rome but I do a pretty good job of teaching the fall of the Roman Empire, the aftermath. Oh, I do game – the fall of Rome and my students will hopefully be doing that next year.

I could continue but the point is I don’t buy your comment that

• As teachers, whether we read blogs or read books or watch t.v. or listen to music or not, we can help students sort through a given medium’s good & bad.  (Reading and watching and listening tends to help, though.)
• But we cannot do that — truly we cannot engage our students in a discussion of why a particular show is worth our time or whether we are spending too much time engaged by a particular medium — if, in the backs of our heads, we’re muttering to ourselves, “T.V. is just wrecking these kids,” if we don’t share their curiosity or their tuning to the potential of things. Really we can’t. That kind of disgenuousness is blatant and hypocrisy reeks.

You comment that

my input on the matter has devolved frustratingly into a series of “that isn’t what I said,” comments.

Well, you did say the above. I don’t agree. I will stand that the ill effects of television are causing problems in our society that go beyond just the psychological. I do not believe that I have to “do” in order to be able to comment or actually have an informed opinion. To question my professionalism and suggest that a single action defines my personality is, well, shallow. As with other discussions,  I know that to continue will do no good, listening has stopped.

I usually temper my comments and posts but am offended at your suggestions, especially when you make yourself out to be standard of professionalism at my expense. As a next-gen administrator and superintendent, I’m looking for people who can appreciate other’s views without demeaning them as being less than.  You fippantly toss free-speech into the mix yet suggest that those who don’t agree with you are less than professional, of which you are the epitome.

Dean, it’s okay that you suggest the snob thing. I’ve read your posts and I think that a compromise can be reach on the grounds that this is not personal. You don’t really think I’m a snob – really.  I guess that, because I am involved in so many things and my children partake in a number of activities, tv is not a priority and, instead of watching tv, we do other things as a family. Also, I would suggest that my use of other media and web2.0 tools gives me a bit different of a perspective. I don’t think that the moderate use of television is bad. In fact, as you state :

but it’s been proven that tv makes you smarter

Okay. So does gaming but you’ve stated

I don’t do video games. 

 You don’t wear it as a badge but you comment on their use in education. Neither do I wear a “We don’t have tv badge.” but I don’t shrink when challenged much the same way as I don’t when challenged about my faith, my wife’s and my decision to have more than 2 children or a number of things that people have raised their eyebrows at. After a while, you begin to see that people’s prejudices are coming through their comments. I usually shrug and not bother.

This time, however, my professionalism and integrity as a teacher is being questioned. So, let’s turn the tables – what makes you or anyone else who watches television an expert in human relations and the ability to discuss the effects of television on students. What does watching television have to do with intelligence or professional integrity or personality? Please verify you have some data or proof that makes television watchers more professional and personably more capable to conduct their jobs in the educational field. Please also verify that in order to comment on any subject you actually have to have first hand knowledge of the subject. (Note – we can throw out most of what happens in schools because I would bet most teachers do not have actual experience.)  I have 5 plus subjects that I discuss this with regularly and who question my decision making at almost every turn. They push me to support myself and look for any weakness in my arguement. This not only goes for television but for music, the inernet and its use, movies, books and other forms of media. As an English teacher, I’ve discussed at length the reading of various magazines and their impact on the young women in society. I’ve even had papers written on them. And on tv watching. As you can tell, this has hit a sore spot with me. The absolute absurdness of what has been said because I think that there are more negatives with television than positives is in fact the exact closed mindedness that is being denounced.

“Sigh” – it is not easy to disagree with the popular societal thought. I guess that’s one reason being an educator is so tough. It is our duty to help students question popular societal beliefs. As an administrator, I’ve had to stand by my decisions despite them not being popular. I’ve had to call students assumptions despite my own personal beliefs. That’s what lifelong learning is all about and that’s being a teacher.

Well, I’ve gone on long enough. I hope that I’ve clarified this whole question of personal lifestyle vs professionalism and having to do in order to have informed discussions. If not, guess I’d better get around to smokin’ a doobie, doing a line and buying a 24 so I can discuss the ill affects of drugs and alcohol. Wonder if I can get a flight to Rome and find some German immigrants?