NFL, football and violence in sports - where is the line?

ESPN and Grantland.com editor / writer / creator Bill Simmons has a thoughtful and candid article on the current NFL's actions against the New Orleans Saints and its coaches / players. Simmons includes links to organizations doing research on the effects of violent impacts on young and adult athletes. The challenge faced by youth, college and professional sports is where to draw the line. The impacts given and taken by athletes in sports like football and hockey are parts of each sports appeal. Yet, the damage caused by the sports to athletes appears to only becoming more severe. So where is the line where the hits are part of the game and when they cross the line and are not? Simmons rightly observes that line is far from clear.

Identity and Mission Presentation at the 2012 HLC conference

The slide show for our presentation on Identity and Mission at the 2012 Higher Learning Commission is available via .pdf file on this google docs link - HLC slide link

The handout packet reviewed during the session is available via google docs shared folder.

Teacher preparation: Selectivity vs. Diversity, an incomplete argument

This Inside Higher Ed article on teacher quality and the comments that follow the article are interesting for both what is said and what has been omitted. The major thesis of the article is that selectivity will equal great teaching and the means of determining selectivity is valid....even though that is far from proven. It is a given that more great teachers are needed.

Like most key issues in our society, the real challenge is in defining the problem and the real debate is who gets the power to set the definition and evaluation system (see immigration, global warming, medical care, etc.). This is a complex issue with many many uncontrollable variables and one that will take many attempts to solve. Our solution attempts should be formative and proven at regional or local levels versus one big NCLB solution. (that has gone well)

The unmentioned acumen of great teachers is the ability to inspire students through care, patience, and helping them down the road of discovering their gifts. We are having this discussion on devices made by companies like Dell and Apple and software from Microsoft or Google. The founders of these companies did not get permission from a high GPA or standardized test to go forth and make these innovations. They discovered their gifts and had the freedom to succeed and fail. Where is the discussion and the ideas to help our next generation do great things?

Grant Hill's Response to Jalen Rose - NYTimes.com

Grant Hill's response to Jalen Rose is a great example of sport and education acting as a unique catalyst in our society to bring people together to compete, debate, learn and grow.

Grant Hill's Response to Jalen Rose - NYTimes.com

Questioning the value of standardized testing

Instructional designer and entrepreneur Koreen Olberish (thanks for the twitter feed - @KoreenOlbrish) has a solid post in her blog questioning the rising importance of standardized tests. Her thinking is complemented by DePaul University's move to make ACT and SAT tests an optional part of their admissions process next year. Today's Chronicle article reports that DePaul has found high school GPA to be as effective at predicting student success as the standardized tests.

Census details for Illinois

The US Census Department released details of the 2010 census for Illinois yesterday (February 15th). The release has helpful map and excel tables detailing how the land of Lincoln has changed during the last decade.

The Chicago Tribune via the Huffington Post has a article on the population drop in Chicago. Columnist Lee Bey of WBEZ 91.5 has an interesting blog post wondering what the ideal population of Chicago should be.

Doug Moore of the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports on population changes in the Metro East area of the region.

Centers for Teaching Excellence

In the pass few days, Centers for Teaching Excellence (CTE) at the University of Illinois and Texas A&M have been getting my attention.

Last weekend, while at the Armory at the University of Illinois to watch our oldest daughter Lindsey (sophomore sprinter for DePaul University) compete in an indoor track meet, I noted the Armory is not only the winter home of Illini Track and Field but also the home for the university's Center for Teaching Excellence .

Today, Texas A& M University via twitter (@TAMUtalk) linked to a informative release on their Center for Teaching Excellence. Valuable points are made regarding the need to promote SoTL - the scholarship of teaching and learning and the necessity of matching faculty development with the learning outcomes of the students.

While universities have huge needs to constantly develop graduate assistants and new faculty, small colleges like Greenville College can also benefit from a structure promoting SoTL. Maybe we can make something like these CTEs a part of what we do.