Believe it or not, I try to have a life outside of educational assessment and improvement of student learning.  That means – for example – participating in all of the normal stuff that people do over the Thanksgiving holiday.  So over the past five days I’ve packed suitcases, adapted to changes in travel plans, made conversation with all manner of family, and wished I hadn’t eaten __________.  I find it a bit troubling that although I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about learning from past behaviors to improve future behaviors I can’t seem to learn from my previous mistakes regarding serving size, mashed potatoes, and gravy.

All this is simply to say that I didn’t write a thing last weekend.  Sorry.  And my fingers might actually now be too fat to fit onto a normal keyboard.  So you’ll have to wait til next week for another post.

Usually, I write about data findings that are ambiguous in some way.  This week, I can only write about something that was delicious.  Literally.  And most of me now regrets that second helping.  Actually, maybe the regret is really about the third helping . . .

Make it a good day,

Mark

Hey Folks,

This is the time of the term when everyone conjures up whatever remaining powers they have left to slog through finals, grade furiously, and put the term out of its misery.  Or, if you have a slightly more optimistic view of life (and I hope you do), you are overcome with a surge of pride in your students for all they have learned, all they have endured, and all they have become over ten short weeks.  See, that wasn’t so hard now, was it?

To be honest, I’m not inclined to say much this week only because I don’t think many of you have the time to read my blathering about some little data point that has me all atwitter.  And aside from that somewhat uncomfortable image, the last thing I want this blog to become is long, myopic, and just too much.

So I’ll throw this out into the cybertron and let you do what you want with it.  I’ve been privileged to be involved with a number of senior inquiry and service-learning projects this term.  I’ve been very impressed and even proud of the work that I’ve seen these students produce.  They’ve thought carefully about their research, wrestled with tough problems, dealt with mishaps and unpredictability, and throughout have remained honest, genuine, and intent on doing their best work.  Was it all perfect?  Of course not.  Was is supposed to be?  no.  But did I see growth that should make a college proud?  Damn straight.

Even though I am constantly talking about ways that we might improve, it is important to remind ourselves that we often do very good work.  And we deserve the chance to step back from time to time and soak it all in.  You put your heart into the work of making young people better.  And in many cases you help students realize a little bit more of who they aspire to become – even when they don’t fully know who that is or why it might be important.

So – grade like a banshee.  Then relax like a champion.  You deserve it.

Make it a good day,

Mark

Hi everybody,

Yes, its true.  What was once a simple column has now turned into a blog.

What difference will it make?  None.  This column will focus on the same topics that it has explored in the past.  Sometimes I’ll talk about an interesting finding from our student data, sometimes I’ll test a claim that has been made publicly, and sometimes I’ll muse about the various tensions that arise when one seriously commits to striving for perpetual improvement.

Yes, I’ll continue to be snarky from time to time.  But now, you can call me on it in the comments section and point out my flaws, my unsubstantiated leaps, or my bad grammar for all to see.  Of course, you can also throw me a bone everyone once in a while and tell me what you liked or what made you stop and think for a second or two.

Mostly, I hope you’ll add your perspective and make this blog a conversation dedicated to thinking about our work and making change for the better.

So here it is . . . Delicious Ambiguity.  Stay hungry, my friends.

Make it a good day,

Mark