"Diverse experiences"

"Mr. Jobs argued that the best inventors seek out "diverse experiences," collecting lots of dots that they later link together. Instead of developing a narrow specialization, they study, say, calligraphy (as Mr. Jobs famously did) or hang out with friends in different fields. Because they don't know where the answer will come from, they are willing to look for the answer everywhere."

"It's this ability to attack problems as a beginner, to let go of all preconceptions and fear of failure, that's the key to creativity."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203370604577265632205015846.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

My Grading Key! (I've been meaning to create this for years!)

Link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n5vMsn6x0tGp7fjKq0u-sMu3vJYl8HOeJsn3NI9-_yM/edit

Now, mind you, this "key" is suited to my own "template"-oriented courses.

What I mean is this: I assign what I call a "template", in my philosophy classes (in other words, a blueprint). I require this tool for all writing assignments. Therefore, some of the comments in this Grading Key reference the template tool.

If you would like to know more about what these templates are, and how I use them in my courses, just ask me.

Feb 20: "What does Evolution mean for ethics?"

“What Does Evolution Mean for Ethics?”

Scott Kimbrough, Ph.D., Chair, Division of Humanities, Jacksonville University

Monday, February 20, 2012, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00)

Unitarian Universalist Church, 7405 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville, FL 32211

First Coast Freethought Society

Meetings are Free and Open to the Public

Flyer: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3sX2uM4-jrjYTU2NGY5MGQtODA4Ny00YzI4LWFmYjktOTFkYzFhOTBhY2Vj

How I illustrate the "Classical Definition of Knowledge" and "Necessary and Sufficient Conditions"

"Socrates Questions" lists

Some versions of the "Socrates Questions" list I dispense in all classes and workshops.

They are in Google Documents format; this means you can easily download and print them.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18nLN7PfMHVNgIuM3AISHugFzTBhsooJeCehP0qZ_Rsk/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HRdh1B3kB6td1x6HvctmZy_RfQb3vkglV2ic7wJw4wI/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gu4rSpVtJdX0sR5GdA9o5TpH2YDGIfA3SIMJulrBBPg/edit

How Social Networking Breaks Down Ethics In The Workplace

"So what's the solution to a work world where tolerance for bad behavior is on the rise? The ERC study suggests companies invest in building a strong ethics and compliance program and commit leadership to focus on ethics in business culture. Its findings show that raising behavioral issues internally — and early — is essential to reducing this growing culture."

From:

How Social Networking Breaks Down Ethics In The Workplace

February 2012 Philosophy slam

Title: "Is there such a thing as CONSERVATISM?”

Hosted by: Dr. David Courtwright, Professor of History, UNF

When: Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. (Yes, Wednesday is correct.)

Where: Northstar Substation, "THE PIZZA BAR" at 119 East Bay Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Note, the Northstar Substation is downtown on E. Bay St., right next to the building with the Jaguar on it when you cross over the main st. Bridge.  It's also just a few blocks from the old London Bridge.

"Philosophy--what's the use?"

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/philosophy-whats-the-use/

"But what Hume and, by our day, virtually all philosophers are rejecting is only what I’m calling the foundationalist conception of philosophy. Rejecting foundationalism means accepting that we have every right to hold basic beliefs that are not legitimated by philosophical reflection."

"If you think that the only possible “use” of philosophy would be to provide a foundation for beliefs that need no foundation, then the conclusion that philosophy is of little importance for everyday life follows immediately.  But there are other ways that philosophy can be of practical significance."

"Even though basic beliefs on ethics, politics and religion do not require prior philosophical justification, they do need what we might call “intellectual maintenance,” which itself typically involves philosophical thinking."

Employers want critical thinking

Study links critical thinking to job placement | The Cavalier Daily http://bit.ly/ydrsgH

Ethics and Authority

TED Video: http://www.ted.com/talks/philip_zimbardo_on_the_psychology_of_evil.html

Why do some people follow commands issued by authority, even when the commands are morally questionable?

Some experiments that address this question

- The BBC Prison Study experiment (2001)
- The Stanford Prison experiment (Stanford, 1971)
- The Blue-eyed, brown-eyed exercise (1968)
- The Third Wave experiment (Cubberley High School, 1967)
- The Milgram experiment (Yale, 1963)

Some movies that address this question

- "Compliance" (2012)
- "The Experiment" (2010)
- "Das Experiment" (2001)

"What aspects of religion should atheists adopt?"

See video on TED site here.

(www.ted.com/talks/alain_de_botton_atheism_2_0.html?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2012-01-20)




Very interesting.

"Google Docs" Workshop

Attend my upcoming Faculty Development workshop (if you're FSCJ faculty), and I'll show you some tricks that'll save you tons of time, helping you feel less stressed.

(Right click on image below to bring up in new tab)

Feedback Ethics

"You're so smart!"

vs. 

"You work so hard!"

A year or so ago I ran across some article or something (I don't remember where or what it was) that argued praising students for working hard is better than praising them for being smart.

It made a lot of sense to me, so I tried it. I cannot say for certain if it has yielded better results for students--I do know it feels a lot more sincere and relevant praising hard work, as opposed to intelligence--especially given that achievement is the standard I'm to measure students by, as an instructor.

Here's a recent article that covers a similar discussion:

"In schools, self-esteem boosting is losing favor to rigor, finer-tuned praise"

Dweck’s studies, embraced in Montgomery schools and elsewhere, have found that praising children for intelligence — “You’re so clever!” — also backfires. In study after study, children rewarded for being smart become more likely to shy away from hard assignments that might tarnish their star reputations. 

But children praised for trying hard or taking risks tend to enjoy challenges and find greater success. Children also perform better in the long term when they believe that their intellect is not a birthright but something that grows and develops as they learn new things. 

Brain imaging shows how this is true, how connections between nerve cells in the cortex multiply and grow stronger as people learn and practice new skills. This bit of science has proved to be motivating to struggling students because it gives them a sense of control over their success. It’s also helpful for students on an accelerated track, the ones often told how “smart” they are, who are vulnerable to coasting or easily frustrated when they don’t succeed.

North Florida Macintosh Users Group

http://www.nfmug.org/

Main Meeting – Second Wednesday

The main monthly meeting, the more formal of the two, is held on the second Wednesday of each month. The meeting starts at 6:00 PM general question and answer session where members and guests are encouraged to share that mac-related questions and concerns.

Meeting II – Fourth Saturday


The second NFMUG meeting is the less formal of the two and held on the fourth Saturday of each month starting at 1:00 p.m. The second meeting is also held at FSCJ Deerwood Center.

Students Questioning Students

http://youtu.be/hFnTin26aEc 

Using the Socratic method to enhance comprehension. Filmed at the Bronx HS of Science



http://youtu.be/5uKqs3D0Z0M

Questions are at the heart of teaching and learning. In fact, teachers may spend as much as 60% of their instructional time asking questions, listening to answers, and providing feedback. Studies over the past two decades have shown conclusively that effective questioning leads to significant gains in student achievement. Whats more, using a variety of questions to engage different styles of thought is one of the easiest and best ways for teachers to differentiate instruction. 

Dr. Harvey Silver, founder of The Thoughtful Classroom, will guide you through four learning sessions that will help you develop more effective questioning practices for your classroom. For more information on Professional Learning Portfolio Series visit www.thoughtfulclassroom.com/ports