Welcome to the 196th Carnival of Education!

November 4, 8:17 PMNY Education ExaminerLorri Giovinco-Harte

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The Road Not Taken

 Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same...

Robert Frost

When I learned that I would be hosting the carnival on the day following the election, I was a bit disarmed.  Many of the past carnivals have centered around a theme of some kind, and I couldn't imagine which theme to use immediately following such an important event.  On the one hand, I didn't want to assert my own political views and on the other, I wasn't sure if I would know the results at the time that I was putting this together.    

I was about to scrap the whole theme-idea, when I thought of a poem which has been on my mind in the days leading up to the election.  As I’ve been watching, reading, and listening to the events which have brought us to November 4th, I can’t help but think of The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost. 

If you know the poem, (which I’m sure you do), then you know that it talks about decision making and risk taking.  The narrator is walking through the woods, when he is faced with a choice of two paths.  One of the paths is comfortable and has been traveled on many times.  The other is unknown and has been rarely traveled.  Which should he choose?

Sounds a bit like the United States at this period of time, doesn’t it?

No matter who becomes our next president, it’s become pretty clear that we will be moving in a new direction and taking paths previously unexplored.  Education also has been calling for new direction, fueled by the views and desired paths of many individuals.  So, without further commentary, let’s take a look at the many voices and many paths reflected in the education sphere.

Apologies to anyone whom I may have missed.

Some voices would like to see our education system enter a new path:

Dave Saba offers commentary about the value of alternative teacher certification programs, and points out that there are other alternative paths to become a teacher. Learners Inherit, on the other hand, is not really sold on the idea - having come through such a program herself.

Charter schools have been offered as having the potential to take education in a new direction, yet Norm warns that we need to be careful about reported successes.  Nancy worries that individual gains and the free market cannot replace public trust.

Homeschooling has seen an increase in popularity lately as a path for those who wish for something different for their children.  Tanyetta explains why she decided to home school her child, while Laureen questions how we define schooling in our country.  Suzanne tells us about useful resources for homeschooling and Ms. Amanda keeps a memoir of homeschooling experiences.

Many voices contemplate the problems that exist in our schools and the paths which we have traditionally followed:

NYC Educator contemplates the age old practice of cheating, in the new age of technology.  Robert wonders about ways to handle disruptive students and Jim asks if spelling matters.
 
Bogusia wonders if competition is an effective motivator for children while Mr. Teacher allows for alternative  possibilities to mathematical questions. Mamacita wonders if teenagers need more sleep than adults and OldAndrew wonders whether we are making excuses for disruptive behavior.

Tom contemplates the parent/teacher conference and what we learn about children from their parents.

Some voices contemplate the path that our country will take in the future:

Mathew Ladner wonders if we’re on a path to ‘Illiterocracy’,  while Woodlass worries about the possibility of NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein becoming future Secretary of Education.  Ednotes contemplates the scary nature of some of our educational and public figures and Jesse worries about an increase in taxes.

Bill writes to the new president and explains, “I’m a teacher and I’m tired.”

Other voices are on the path to self actualization:

Mark offers a humorous look at self reflection after a lesson and Darren has drawn the perfect circle!
Jasmin is sure that her teachers will be proud of theSpanish skills she has acquired and Narendra suggests  inspirational books .

Still more voices are walking the path of their own professional development and education:

Steve talks about  a program to make teachers excited about science and Crystal provides resources for teachers.  Mathew urges teachers to make use of video in the classroom while Larry offers sites to teach about Thanksgiving. Amy offers tips to maximize learning during story time .

Travis explains that teachers can teach anything. and Crankprof. is cranky and proud of it.

Pat would like to see professional developers hold the interest of their audience.

Sarah provides web tools for virtual students , Khan discusses applying for graduate school, and Ted discusses the most expensive colleges.

All of the above voices reflect a concern for the direction that our country will take and the need for us to take "the road less traveled."

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.