The Random Thoughts of Louis Schmier

“You say you’re a ‘realist,’ this professor fired back.  ”I say you are not!  Is it realistic that you don’t lecture or give tests?  What do you do to give them a grade?  You’re an out-of-touch romantic if you believe that students will learn anything without lectures, tests, and grades.  Where’s their motivation otherwise?”  After [...]

Out of the blue came a one line e-mail from a professor whom I didn’t know:  ”Your Teacher’s Oath!  You’re an impossible idealist,” “You’re wrong,” I replied, seizing on the opportunity she presented me.  ”I don’t like that word, ‘impossible.’  It’s such a stagnant word that has no place in a dynamic and ever-changing world. [...]