Class notes are epistemologically weird. On the one hand, they feel quite private, but, on the other, if your understanding of what went on in class is too idiosyncratic, then you’re likely to do poorly on exams. (Also, to whatever extent a class is a shared intellectual enterprise, there should be at least *some* common understanding of what has gone on during our time together.) It can be hard to improve one’s notetaking skills, because it’s traditionally such an individual practice. Enter the wiki.

a brief plan

From the originator of #fuckyouwashington, which created a minor hashblurp. Some thoughts on how the tag functions socially.

Extensive collection for A&E

less on critical thinking as a practice and more like 3 examples of skepticism. a starting point, but not an ending point. solid critical thinking would address her opening statement that the education system doesn't teach critical thinking. read it.

[via if:books]. 12 entry points to the WikiLeaks discussion. From Amsterdam, it reads like an internal Pentagon report. "We do not think that taking a stand for or against WikiLeaks is what matters most. WikiLeaks is here to stay, until it either scuttles itself or is destroyed by opposing forces. Our point is rather to (try to) assess and ascertain what WikiLeaks can, could — and maybe even should — do, and to help formulate how “we” could relate to and interact with WikiLeaks."

A modest prediction of more cultural catastrophe on the way. Too clever by half. But a good article for freshmen to read and say, 'meh.' Have a look at the comments.

A list of tools and toys - sites and applications - for the very traditional way of teaching first-year comp. I wouldn't call this best practice so much local practice, and I don't see these so much as tools for learning as tools for teaching. Perhaps a counter-list is in order.

John Seely Brown and Richard P. Adler social learning is based on the premise that our understanding of content is socially constructed through conversations about that content and through grounded interactions, especially with others, around problems or

I've seen just one too many times Frost's poem being quoted as hoorays for taking the rare and so heroic choice. It's not a poem about heroism or choice but about spin. Please