Sunday, December 24, 2006

Living with Jim

I must say living with Jim is a great joy. He not only greets me with a smile, steaming cup of coffee with cream in hand, he also engages in some of the best conversation. Here is an example of some of the early morning discussions we have been having;
1. What is the basis of education? The idea of this topic is to explore two
questions fundamental to education. What is the nature of man? What is true
(truth)? The view of man focuses on the purpose of education. The nature of
truth (epistemology) focuses on content.
2. What is the purpose of education? This idea is drawn from the above. The
nature of man becomes a central issue in defining the purpose of education.
The purpose of education may explore the question of the purpose of man, the
experience of man in shaping his purpose, the needs of community in defining
mans purpose, man’s purpose as it relates to God, etc.
3. What is a philosophy of education?
4. What is truth? This idea is drawn from #1. Is Jesus Christ the Truth? Is
truth relative? Is truth found only by our experiences? Is truth (reality)
established?
It is a very good thing he brings me coffee before we start discussing.....
Now these topics have been going on since Daniel was a wee one, It is difficult to exhaust them, especially as the fine distincitons to be applied change with the ages of those being educated. The implications of shifting political and philosophical climates are another source of discussion. There are also the topics brought about by changes in ones own vocational demands of teacher and student.
How happy it makes me to walk through life with such a man who reads, ponders, and discusses.
Merry Christmas to all!

Monday, December 11, 2006

In response to N8 Yep pretty dead. Hope to liven things up after the 'Christmas Art Projects for 115 kids' push is over. I guess it is the art teachers equivalent to finals. This is the first day I have been able to even do any reading of others blogs. I have gotten behind! Well got to go for my last classes of the year.