My kids' elementary school uses this Margaret Mead quotation on a banner in their Independence Day float, and every year it bugs the heck out out of me:
"Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else."
Without any context, I struggle to understand the tone of these two sentences. Is this a heartwarming celebration of individuality? Or is this some kind of snarky put-down of same?
If it's the latter, what kind of misbegotten school am I sending my kids to?
posted by baseballpajamas
on Jun 15, 2013 -
17 answers
Kinda fit 20ish guy in NYC looking for classes that have physical activity as a large component. I'm not looking for sports teams or exercise classes, but " learn a skill/a thing" classes that just happen to require you to lift, run, haul, etc. A spinning class would be out, but horseback riding would be a bit closer ( but not actually horseback riding). Ideally I could get to this class on the subway.
posted by The Whelk
on Jun 15, 2013 -
28 answers
I know that there were iterations, possibly only in Britain, of college courses on television. Does anyone know where I might find video examples of these early versions of lecture capture? I would settle for high school courses on TV even.
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posted by tunewell
on Jun 14, 2013 -
5 answers
My math knowledge ends just past Newton. What books provide a good, relatively general-audience introduction to the past 150-250 years of problems and developments in mathematics?
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posted by gallusgallus
on Jun 10, 2013 -
7 answers
Hi Metafilter,
I'm about to graduate this Summer from a college in Europe. It's for a creative profession and I'm currently honesty considering to repeat the year. Considering the circumstances (more below), would it be silly to volunteer a rerun of the year?
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posted by ahtlast93
on Jun 8, 2013 -
13 answers
Long story short, I have a Gen Ed Bachelors (with about 4 unrelated minors. I like to learn new things) and have worked in IT moving my way up from a general Helpdesk tech into a Senior tech position over the last 4 years. I'm ready to learn and move forward into a new position and probably a new company. I'd like to increase my education though and I'm not quite sure what are reasonable options. Obviously a Masters is nice but frankly, I struggle whether it's worth the cost. I've already got plenty of student loans and I'm rather cash strapped so finances is an important consideration. A local community college offers Associates in Network Administration or Programming for 2 years or 1 year certificate programs in either. There's also the obvious certifications such as A+, etc.
Do I really need a masters at this point or would I be better served with a combination of other options? Any suggestions are much appreciated.
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posted by guyarcher
on Jun 6, 2013 -
7 answers
I come from an engineering background rather than a research background, and I find myself lacking in vocabulary when it comes to understanding research papers, particularly when they start talking about ANOVA analyses, F(x) effect sizes and p values. I can skim through the results of a study and see that certain numbers are bigger than other numbers, but I don't really know how to tell whether what I'm seeing is significant. I'm guessing that I'm missing basic education in statistics. Can I fix this in a simple way?
posted by sdis
on May 28, 2013 -
9 answers
I'm having second thoughts about going back to school, not only because i've seen a lot of people graduate and not be able to find a job so they can pay off their $30,000 loans but also because they might be over qualified for it or underqualified.
If not that, then i'm kind of worried with the field i want to go into it would be really hard to find a job here(united states), and i'm starting to wonder if i would be better off buying text books/books and just teaching myself what i want to learn.
What's your opinion on college? Do you feel like it's worth it anymore?
posted by earthquakeglue
on May 27, 2013 -
53 answers
I graduated from law school this month. I got great grades, and have a good job lined up that will keep me busy for three years after the bar exam and before entering law firm life. The problem is that I'm the new cliche: I have accumulated close to $250,000 in educational debt through undergrad and grad school and I don't want to be a lawyer. At all. Blizzard to follow.
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posted by sevensnowflakes
on May 26, 2013 -
30 answers
What were Boris Sidis' child-rearing methods? Or how can one find anything on that topic?
I understand some hypnotism was allegedly involved, but I can't find any solid journals studying the method.
More broadly, how does one systematically nurture a love of learning?
posted by Smedleyman
on May 24, 2013 -
6 answers
My kids (currently 6 and 9) have become voracious readers. We have a large and varied collection of excellent fiction for them, but the non-fiction collection is more haphazard. They love learning new facts as they read (the type of thing that makes them look up from the book and say, "Did you know...?"). I want to make sure that the collection of books gives them a good introduction to fields where I myself may not have enough knowledge to judge the quality/accuracy of the book. So what's the kid's book in your field that makes you say, "If only every kid got to read this book, people would understand [topic] better."?
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posted by winston
on May 18, 2013 -
19 answers
I went back to school to get some certificates. During the two years since I finished, I have never received even one invoice for my education debt. I have not been contacted in any way. I can't even figure out who I owe money to. Am I going to be in trouble?
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posted by matt_arnold
on May 16, 2013 -
25 answers
I studied Spanish in high school and college, and I even spent a semester abroad in Spain. At that point, I was very proficient at reading, writing, and speaking it. Sadly, in the 8 years since graduation, I feel as though I have forgotten everything.
I am looking to get into a field where knowing Spanish would be very helpful, and I am trying to figure out the best way to both relearn what I knew (and possible go beyond that).
Obviously for speaking, I will need to get out there and practice, but before that, should I just pick up my old textbooks and get going? Or, is there a better way?
posted by aka_anon
on May 15, 2013 -
14 answers
Considering dropping out of 1st year humanities PhD program. Terrified of starving on the streets. Help?
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posted by anonymous
on May 12, 2013 -
21 answers
A relative is graduating from Trinity College, majoring in Classics. Getting her through school was long and difficult. I want to give her something. Her parents could afford any book she wanted, so rare editions are out. Any ideas on a nice gift?
posted by ebesan
on May 11, 2013 -
10 answers
Looking for statistical information on how many students study history at the B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. level in various non-US countries.
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posted by agent99
on May 9, 2013 -
1 answer
I am trying to build a blended learning web-app for a professor to replace his Blackboard-based discussion forum. I think a great model is RapGenius's annotation system. Do open-source clones exist for this? Any out-of-the-box tools I can quickly hack together to mimic RapGenius's annotation system?
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posted by shotgunbooty
on May 2, 2013 -
2 answers
Help me find a goodbye song for a flash mob of dancing elementary-school teachers on the last day of school.
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posted by shrimpsmalls
on May 1, 2013 -
7 answers
I'm looking for an online course on monitoring and evaluation, with a focus on international development projects.
The
MIT JPAL course on Evaluating Social Programs would be ideal, but MIT's OCW doesn't provide any kind of documentation that I can use to show I've completed the course. I'm not looking for a diploma mill, but it would be very helpful to have a some kind of document to present to an employer that demonstrates I've completed the work. More broadly, if you have taken online courses - particularly those that do not offer any certification - what language have you used in describing that on your CV and to your employer?
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy
on May 1, 2013 -
1 answer
So after spending a few years unemployed, and starting my own business, I'm exploring my options for creating my next chapter. Help me figure out a path. ObDifficulty: I have no undergrad degree.
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posted by softlord
on May 1, 2013 -
18 answers
My parents are seem to lack trust in my ability to manage my own life. They are controlling, have a strong tendency to emotionally overreact. How do I tell my parents I am taking a break from school with them overreacting? My mother is currently undergoing cancer treatment and I am concerned she will “worry herself sick” over me taking a break from school.
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posted by lovecricket
on Apr 29, 2013 -
13 answers
I have the opportunity to pursue
this master's in software program for free. I jumped on the opportunity, but now as my first semester winds to a close, I'm beginning to wonder just how valuable this actually is.
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posted by COBRA!
on Apr 26, 2013 -
11 answers
I want to relearn algebra, chemistry, basic mechanics, and basic physics this summer. For free?
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posted by Grandysaur
on Apr 25, 2013 -
12 answers
Does anyone have an recommendations for good video editing or film making seminars? I've got a pretty good background in filming and editing, but, looking to expand my knowledge and have a budget. Can be anywhere in the lower 48 states.
posted by trbrts
on Apr 18, 2013 -
3 answers
I'm looking for movies and TV shows that have futuristic depictions of education. Can you help me find them?
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posted by madred
on Apr 11, 2013 -
16 answers
I'm a law student in Ontario, just about done 2 years out of 3. I absolutely hate the academic aspect of it, and I'm pretty miserable. I didn't particularly enjoy the practice experiences I've had either, at 3 different legal-aid type clinics working as a student in family law, criminal law, and landlord/tenant matters.
I have invested a lot of money into pursuing this law degree. Should I be giving serious thought to finding something else to do with my life as soon as I graduate, or should I stick it out and work my hardest to try to get a paying job in the legal profession, in the hopes that I will be able to pay off my student loan debt?
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posted by spicytunaroll
on Apr 9, 2013 -
14 answers
What jobs outside of education would fit my interests and experiences (most of which are education-related)? Are there jobs related to my math major that will appeal to my need for creative outlets in my work?
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posted by violetish
on Apr 9, 2013 -
9 answers
I am currently in my third year of university and am majoring in both Arabic and the International Studies: Middle East. I'm coming to the end of a year language immersion studying abroad and I am becoming worried because I don't have very specific goals for the future of my Arabic studies.
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posted by Corduroy
on Apr 8, 2013 -
12 answers
I'm a late-twenties adult finishing my BA a little late. I'm still a little unsure as to what I'd like to do, but I've always had an interest in solving crimes. What are my options for doing this as a career, preferably NOT for a local police department, at least in the long term?
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posted by ancient star
on Apr 1, 2013 -
20 answers
I'm thinking of getting my Bachelors and going to law school. I'm also thinking of going to nursing school. Is going to law school an absolutely dumb idea at this point?
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posted by Autumn
on Apr 1, 2013 -
67 answers
I've got some good books to read, and I've got plenty of entertainment-oriented movies to watch. But all day in bed is a long time and I'd like to mix it up with some good educational content. The only examples I have are Khan Academy and Simon Schama's The Power of Art. I'm open to most subjects (although I'd definitely like to get some history in there). For my tastes, TED talks feel a little disposable, and a lot of youtube educational series are presented with kind of hyper "edutainment" style that I find exhausting. Can anyone recommend some stuff that they've enjoyed?
posted by Anonymousness
on Mar 31, 2013 -
22 answers
Here's the rub: In February on 2012, I decided to end my marriage. Because I was dead broke, we simply moved apart, split the bank account in two and went our separate ways with the understanding that we'd make a move to formally divorce in the next year. We did not get a legal separation. That divorce is now pending. My soon-to-be-ex-wife filed her taxes 'Married, Filing Separately'. This causing me all kind of tax havoc, including a bill I have no way of paying. More inside...
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 28, 2013 -
28 answers
As a counterpoint to
this question, which educational/career tracks
do offer solid job prospects and a good return on investment (both time and money), secretly or not?
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posted by pullayup
on Mar 27, 2013 -
16 answers
I am taking an on-line course that is mostly video-based. This is not the best way for me to learn. I am falling very behind and struggling with it. More inside.
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posted by JoannaC
on Mar 27, 2013 -
11 answers
What have you experienced/what would you ask about at a soon to be opening charter school?
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posted by tilde
on Mar 27, 2013 -
14 answers
I'm a really bad student, but I want to do something I love and get paid decently for it. Tell me what to do.
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posted by madsy
on Mar 26, 2013 -
18 answers
I need to explain to a graduate school admissions committee why my undergrad grades suck and convince them I am a viable candidate as well even though I don't own the required psychology degree. And ff course, the one program requiring the degree is the one in which I am most interested.
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posted by Che boludo!
on Mar 25, 2013 -
11 answers
I'm working with a group of kids to help them learn the very basics of GameMaker. I'm looking for libraries of sprites, backgrounds, and sounds to help them in the creation process. Are there ready-made libraries for educators out there. If I have to cobble it together on my own, what are good places to get the basics for making simple 2-dimensional games? Also: are there any good premade game templates (shooter, platformer, puzzle games) that we can use to get their ideas down? We're more interested in the story-telling process of game creation, and not so much the learning to program part.
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posted by codacorolla
on Mar 25, 2013 -
3 answers
I want to be great at interviewing people, but going to journalism school isn't an option. What books will help me most? How do I learn to recognize and ask great questions? How do I prepare? Who are exceptional interviewers I should check out, and what do you think I can specifically learn from them?
posted by ferdinandcc
on Mar 25, 2013 -
28 answers
How many hours should I study to achieve a near-native standard in Mandarin Chinese? How many hours to study over 2-3 years?
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posted by Musashi Daryl
on Mar 16, 2013 -
20 answers
I'm trying to figure out what direction I should guide my future in. Problem is, when I take most personality (*cough* Myers-Briggs *cough*) or skill tests, I can never overcome the bias of what I "should" want, or what my field (the sciences) have conditioned me to. What can I do that can help me figure myself out that isn't sensitive to bias and will basically catch me "off guard" so I can figure out my strengths/weaknesses/potential truthfully?
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posted by Seeking Direction
on Mar 13, 2013 -
8 answers
I am looking for people's experiences of demonstrating the basics of how a clinical trial works to the lay person. My audience will be pretty broad - from school children to adults - so I will need to keep it pretty sort and simple. I need something I can use when visiting schools to big events - I have heard of people using cake and chocolate to demonstrate randomisation/placebo etc - has anyone on here done that and have any pointers? TIA!
posted by ozgirlabroad
on Mar 11, 2013 -
9 answers
