TAM Educators Workshop: Would you attend?

[athon]

I know this is the third thread in this sub forum on this topic and I feel like a guy blowing a rusty bugle, out of time, in a melody which is getting on people's nerves. But I'm exploring a possibility here.


I've looked into several possible options and have inquired of some groups who might be interested in coordinating a workshop with a future TAM.

Simply put, there is nothing on the topic of education currently at TAM6. If anybody wishes to do something informal, that will be the only option.

However, TAM7 might be another thing. Potential workshop providers might be through such a group as www.criticalthinking.org (http://forums.randi.org/www.criticalthinking.org), Stephen Law (http://stephenlaw.blogspot.com/), or Montclair State University (http://cehs.montclair.edu/academic/iapc/research.shtml) (does great stuff on philosophy and education). Or, attendees could provide something more personal by asking for time and a room to be allotted for something more shared and low-key.

The former idea brings good academic research and experience, but also a cost and a handing of complete control to the workshop organisers. The latter provides the benefit of a number of experiences being brought to the table by people from a number of backgrounds, but still needs a good group of people to set it up and run it.

To help make the case that this is something people want, I need to know who would attend and why (as in, 'because I'm a parent who wants to know more about educating my kids' or 'I'm a teacher who'd like to explore my options in teaching skepticism' etc.)

I've got no issue with this whole thing being shown up as an empty idea. But being the stubborn bastard I am, I need proof. ;)

Athon

[TheDoLittle]

I am pinching pennies to save up for TAM 7, and as an educator I would love an educators workshop... even if my job doesn't really give me reason to use "skepticism" as a daily tool.

[Hokulele]

I apologize for artificially skewing the vote, but I know for a fact that my mother would attend (she teaches at a small private college, and has a class specifically on the scientific method and critical thinking linked in one of the other threads), and she does not have an account on this forum (that I know of).

[athon]

Excellent. Thanks Hokulele - there's nothing artificial in that. I probably should have accounted for it by having another option of 'Yes, and I know others who would too'.

If a helpful mod could jig the poll to include this, I'd be grateful.

Athon

[TheDoLittle]

I apologize for artificially skewing the vote, but I know for a fact that my mother would attend (she teaches at a small private college, and has a class specifically on the scientific method and critical thinking linked in one of the other threads), and she does not have an account on this forum (that I know of).


I think anyone with a boudin eating grin in their avatar can be given a little leeway... 8-)

[seismic_cowgirl]

I would be interested because 1) it's one of my pet issues and 2) as a scientist who does outreach in various forms (presentation and various publications) I would like to understand more about the needs of educators to better serve them.

[athon]

Bump.

[MattusMaximus]

I agree with Athon that at this stage we should plan ahead for something formal for TAM7. I would very much be interested in helping set something up for that. I am also interested in seeing something more akin to a sharing of ideas & lessons than a lecture oriented format.

As for TAM6, perhaps we could all get together informally in order to discuss these plans for TAM7?

Cheers - Mattus

PS: I did my infamous Bed of Nails demonstration four times this past Thursday & Friday. Score: awesome physics teacher - 4, concrete blocks - 1/2. I say 1/2 because one time the block didn't break on the first strike - ouch! :shocked:

[seismic_cowgirl]

I agree with Athon that at this stage we should plan ahead for something formal for TAM7. I would very much be interested in helping set something up for that. I am also interested in seeing something more akin to a sharing of ideas & lessons than a lecture oriented format.

As for TAM6, perhaps we could all get together informally in order to discuss these plans for TAM7?

Cheers - Mattus

PS: I did my infamous Bed of Nails demonstration four times this past Thursday & Friday. Score: awesome physics teacher - 4, concrete blocks - 1/2. I say 1/2 because one time the block didn't break on the first strike - ouch! :shocked:

I agree with informally getting together (PM me we need to start an e-mail list together).

As far as the bed of nails presentation, I should share with you some of my stories while doing the Physics Circus ;).

[kittynh]

I think it's a great plan, except for one thing....

cost.

A lot of teachers have to scrimp to pay for TAM. Teachers salaries being what they are. Some lucky teachers can get schools to ok TAM as "continuing education" and foot part of the bill or at least write it off their taxes. I know I haven't attended workshops that I have wanted, as the cost of TAM and a room, plus meals...well, last TAM I was careful about not even going to any shows and just enjoying a strip walk and talking with other skeptics.

So, how about an educator discount? Like if you can prove you are a teacher you get half off or something? It might not be a problem for others, and certainly most teachers could probably afford it. But adding $100+ may keep some teachers from attending.

What would be very cool would be a workshop like this presented at a teachers conference. Last one I attended there were workshops like "Yoga in the Classroom " (hey it was pretty interesting) and "Interacting with Parents with Substance Problems" (ummm, what to do if a parent shows up at a conference high as a kite..VERY intertesting).

A workshop at TAM is a great plan though. And Hokulele's mom would probably be a great speaker. I'd like to hear from her about her college level class!

[MattusMaximus]

I agree with informally getting together (PM me we need to start an e-mail list together).


Be looking for a PM from me within the next day or so...


As far as the bed of nails presentation, I should share with you some of my stories while doing the Physics Circus ;).


Sounds good to me! I'd love to share "physics demos gone wrong" stories with others :)

[kittynh]

oh my daughter burned her feet (blisters!) while doing a "walking on fire" mythbusting.

OUCH!

I ofcourse was taking photographs.

[CFLarsen]

I think it's a great plan, except for one thing....

cost.

A lot of teachers have to scrimp to pay for TAM. Teachers salaries being what they are. Some lucky teachers can get schools to ok TAM as "continuing education" and foot part of the bill or at least write it off their taxes. I know I haven't attended workshops that I have wanted, as the cost of TAM and a room, plus meals...well, last TAM I was careful about not even going to any shows and just enjoying a strip walk and talking with other skeptics.

So, how about an educator discount? Like if you can prove you are a teacher you get half off or something? It might not be a problem for others, and certainly most teachers could probably afford it. But adding $100+ may keep some teachers from attending.

What would be very cool would be a workshop like this presented at a teachers conference. Last one I attended there were workshops like "Yoga in the Classroom " (hey it was pretty interesting) and "Interacting with Parents with Substance Problems" (ummm, what to do if a parent shows up at a conference high as a kite..VERY intertesting).

A workshop at TAM is a great plan though. And Hokulele's mom would probably be a great speaker. I'd like to hear from her about her college level class!

If you want to cut cost to a bare minimum, and avoid JREF getting less money, here's an idea.

Arrange the workshop at TAM, but apart from the official TAM, after the sessions.

Share the expenses for the room => minimum cost => more poor teachers people attending.

Applicable to other interest groups than educators. Any magicians want to teach people a few tricks?

[seismic_cowgirl]

If you want to cut cost to a bare minimum, and avoid JREF getting less money, here's an idea.

I'm listening...


Arrange the workshop at TAM, but apart from the official TAM, after the sessions.
I agree that there should not be a conflict but I disagree with it being after the sessions, it should be before to give the educators a "guide to TAM" session just for them to make their experience the most fruitful.


Share the expenses for the room => minimum cost => more poor teachers people attending.

Uhm... when was the last time you checked on the salary of a teacher? Do you know that there are MANY other organizations (scientific and otherwise) that offer workshops for teachers and thus teachers are forced to be selective on which conferences and workshops they can go to. Did that point brought up by kittynh completely miss you? And if you think about it some more, the teachers that probably need the most support and help about skepticism in the classroom are probably the ones from the poorest school districts and where schools have been flagged as "failures" from the No Child Left Behind legislation. Nice to see you have no sympathy for that particular population of educators.


Applicable to other interest groups than educators. Any magicians want to teach people a few tricks?
How about, any scientists out there who would like to know how best to package their research work for presentation in the classroom? How about parents interested in keeping their school districts accountable about where funds go? How about the seperation of church and state in the classroom, what is still protected under law and what is not? What about how to keep the encroachment of Intelligent Design out of your classroom (and out of your school board)? How about how to create a network of skeptics that can do informal mentoring or classroom presentations to show that skeptics (and athiests) are real nice people? How about, how to teach the students in your classroom to question claims they see in advertising?

A phrase in your last quote says it all: "...avoid JREF getting less money..." I am skeptical of your true motives... honestly... really.

[athon]

I think the significance of education needs to be something we get together and discuss, at least in terms of figuring a way of getting people to see just how damn important it is.

A workshop on mneumonics seems to be higher on the JREF agenda than one on how to demonstrate to people how to effectively communicate thinking skills, after all. Sure, it sounds cool and interesting, but if that's the only aim of the conference is to be a celebrity shoulder-rub and present some interesting activities, then I see a huge opportunity missed.

SC, as sad as Claus is, he's not the only one who sees education on the same level as magic tricks and other interest groups.

Athon

[seismic_cowgirl]

...SC, as sad as Claus is, he's not the only one who sees education on the same level as magic tricks and other interest groups.

Athon

Yeah and he totally missed that Neil deGrasse Tyson is on the "Board of Directors of the Harlem Educational Activities Fund - HEAF, an organization that helps inner city children from disadvantaged backgrounds develop the attitudes, skills and values that will enable them to lead satisfying and productive lives in mainstream American life." (taken from Tyson's website)

You would think... you would think... but people just don't think.... {sigh}

[MattusMaximus]

oh my daughter burned her feet (blisters!) while doing a "walking on fire" mythbusting.

OUCH!

I ofcourse was taking photographs.


Ditto, except it was me who got their feet burned. I did it three times with no problem, and then I had to try out that damned Leidenfrost effect with wet feet.

Two words... sticky coals! :flamed:

Got it all on video too - I love showing that video to my students.

[seismic_cowgirl]

For those of you interested on attending a TAM educators workshop, please PM me with some sort of contact info (either mail or e-mail information, which ever is more convinient for you) .... it seems like I've volunteered myself to be the charge to provide information of what develops. :D

-C

[brodski]

posts split to here http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=3430168#post3430168