PhiloDave
cnepstad
mathissexy
itejeda
writingisthinking
Kamran Swanson
Realist
Matt U.
domenicorocco
speechfromtheblock
casthwcThis is the penultimate Tabula Rasa Sunday post. You post, we read. Discussion may ensue. Roll your literal dice (that is the plural, so go for snake eyes).
Archive for July, 2011
T-K-P Summer Weekend 2011
Posted by Realist on July 30, 2011
No, it’s not the usual TKP, this is the ‘where you TRAVELIN’, where you KICKIN’ it, and why dont’s you POST it‘ edition. Where do you find yourself this weekend?
Last time I’m a gonna ax where you’re goin’. We’re headin’ into the last weekend in July (holy cow! how did that happen?!) and I know we’re all lookin’ to make the most of our leisurely days.
Go on, ya ain’t posted but ya really wants to. Go on, just take that bloggin’ leap of words. Share your destination!
Posted in Events, Faculty, Fascinating | Tagged: Destination unknown?, last weekend of the month | Leave a Comment »
Phriday Photo of the Week
Posted by Realist on July 29, 2011
Phriday Photo of the week will be a summer pheature where I’ll offer an image taken with my phantastical camera phone. The photos will range from phunny to thoughtphul with a sprinkle of phoolishness. A gift from me to you visual learners. Comments are welcomed.
One. More. Time.
This is number three of about three different ads I’ve seen on the back of CTA buses this summer.
I think this is the wordiest of them all. If I had somethin’ good to say, I guess it would be “the colors are not obnoxious.” If I had some ‘room for improvement’ comment, I guess it would have to be “are we talkin’ ’bout education or job?”
(Click on the thumbnail to see the image at full size)
If y’all have a photo you’d like to share, send it to chicagorealist@yahoo.com. I’ll post anonymously or otherwise; you tell me, and I’ll do it.
Posted in Aesthetics, Fascinating, Musing | Tagged: Big cap image = great institution, U want an education or a job? | Leave a Comment »
Putting the Community back into the Community College
Posted by Kamran Swanson on July 28, 2011
The big talk around Reinvention is increasing retention and completion rates. Though there is controversy about the statistics, there seems to be agreement on one thing: it could be much better. And, as educators, we’re concerned not only with the numbers of completion, but the quality of the education itself. Lots of money has been spent, and I’m overjoyed to know that we’re confirmed to get 20 full-time faculty during the Fall and Spring semesters. But what else should we examine?
Perhaps we are overlooking the importance of community. For those of us who’ve been here for a few years, we’re liable to overlook this problem, because we feel and experience the HWC community. But our target students here aren’t the ones who’ve been around for three or four years, of course: it’s the students who are in their first or second semester. We might be liable to forget that the social glue that keeps us here doesn’t even exist for our new students.
Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
Closing the Book on Borders
Posted by Realist on July 28, 2011
Hi gang. If you’ve been sleepin’ in your hammock for that past few days, then this is news for you. Otherwise, y’all are aware of the liquidation sale goin’ on at all the Borders book stores around town.
The day the fire sale started I was somewhat surprised to see so many folks fill the stores in earnest lookin’ for a good deal. At that moment I thoughts to myself, where were all these good folks when the store was open for regular business? Then I was intrigued ’cause the liquidators had slashed prices by only 10%. Sos I thoughts again to myself, why didn’t Borders simply reduce its prices in order to stay in business?
I know Borders did what it could to survive in this economic mess. One reporter argues management did the wrong thing at the wrong time and the company only has itself to blame. But that ain’t the focus of this post.
Curiosity gots me thinkin’. Are we buyin’ these books ’cause we see the words LIQUIDATION in the windows and impulsively head inside? If so, will we get around to readin’ these books? Are we really a nation that reads? If so, then why is it that I am always challenged to get my students to open their textbooks? Every semester.
What’s goin’ on? Do we really care about books or do we just care about sales?
How do you feel about these store closings? Will you miss your local Borders bookstore? What effect will this have on our students? Will they still have easy access to books?
Posted in Musing | Tagged: Books, Borders closing, Reading or collecting books? | 3 Comments »
Updated reinvention update
Posted by Realist on July 28, 2011
In case you missed the anonymous post, there is another update on the reinvention website. The update appears via the Progress Summary link.
Take a look. I’ll save my comments for later. I won’t ask for a more comprehensive update. Perhaps that’s coming during DWFDW2. I won’t ask why we are still all talk and no action. Perhaps that’s coming after DWFDW2. I invite yous peeps to ask a bunch o’ critical questions when the time is right. Remember, if we don’t ask, they won’t tell.
My thanks to Anonymous for providing the update. Can I ask why it took so long to get these updates/results?
Posted in Events, Faculty, Reinvention | Tagged: Reinvention-It's ALIVE! | Leave a Comment »
DWFDW2: What’s the good word?
Posted by Realist on July 27, 2011
Lookin’ at my summer calendar, I see that we are weeks, if not days away from DWFDW2. This here post will be a once-a-week feature between now and then in order to have an open line of communication. If you have questions or updates, please post here.
Well peeps, it appears that plans are shapin’ up for DWFDW2. A big thank you to John Metoyer for his email (me sensed a bit of a humorous tone comin’ from the VP).
Here’s what’s shakin’ down so far (I’ve edited some of the info):
For the remainder of Faculty Development Week, faculty will report to HW. A detailed agenda will be sent out this week. The meeting times for the district as well as for HW are listed below.
Monday, August 8 (Malcolm X College)
Registration/Coffee and Roll – 8:30 am; Program – 9 am – 3:30 pm; Lunch provided.
Tuesday, August 9 (Malcolm X College)
Registration – 8 am; Program – 9 am – 3:30 pm; Lunch provided.
Registration/Coffee and Roll – 8:30 am; Program – 9 am – 3:30 pm; Lunch provided.
Tuesday, August 9 (Malcolm X College)
Registration – 8 am; Program – 9 am – 3:30 pm; Lunch provided.
What we will be doin’ at MX you ax?
Gallery Walk – Information and recommendations of the Spring 2011 Reinvention initiative
Panel Discussion – A panel of speakers will address the state perspective on education, including performance metrics and employment for CCC students
Real Time Feedback – Opportunity for feedback from faculty
Gallery Walk – Information and recommendations of the Spring 2011 Reinvention initiative
Panel Discussion – A panel of speakers will address the state perspective on education, including performance metrics and employment for CCC students
Real Time Feedback – Opportunity for feedback from faculty
Wednesday, August 10 (Harold Washington College)
Registration – 8:30 am; Program – 9 am – 3:30 pm;
Thursday, August 11 (Harold Washington College)
Program – 9 am – 3:30 pm
Friday, August 12 (Harold Washington College)
Program – 9 am – 3:30 pm
Registration – 8:30 am; Program – 9 am – 3:30 pm;
Thursday, August 11 (Harold Washington College)
Program – 9 am – 3:30 pm
Friday, August 12 (Harold Washington College)
Program – 9 am – 3:30 pm
As John stated, more details to follow. Our CASTman is busy gettin’ things together. I believes our Don will be holdin’ a meeting with us faculty peeps on Friday.
Have any of y’all heard anythin’ else? Are ya gettin’ excited as we approach the start of the Fall semester? Did ya start buyin’ your school supplies. Do you get all giddy sharpening pencils and puttin’ those blank sheets of paper in your notebook?
Posted in DWDFW, News, Opinion | Tagged: DWFD2 in less than two weeks! | Leave a Comment »
Reinvention update
Posted by Realist on July 26, 2011
Skip the music. I’s got an update on reinvention. Well, not I, but the Reinvention website has an update on reinvention. Take a look. I hadn’t seen this before. It’s somethin’. A little bit o’ news is better than what we ain’t see all summer. (Progress Summary is still as dead as a cold Chicago day.)
My one concern while readin’ the report was with the Adult Ed summary. The one blurb that caught my eye was:
Because a GED credential simply isn’t enough to qualify for a family-sustaining career…
I’d like to see the research that supports this statement. First, ’cause I thought we lived in a country where an education at any level, when completed with success, would lead to a good life. Second, if a GED ain’t good enough to feed a family, then somethin’ tells me there’s a problem with our economic system, not the GED program. A bit ‘o history may be helpful. More so than research.
Posted in Events, Faculty, Reinvention | Tagged: The Task Forces have updates, The webmaster is back from summer break | 3 Comments »
The Objectification of Rahm’s Children
Posted by Realist on July 26, 2011
This here is a continuation of last week’s post regarding Rahm and his children.
I’m basically responding to the comment from Kamran Swanson and I wanted to clarify my statements. I appreciate the reply, and I hope I can do justice to the fine observations made by KS.
First, mya culpa KS. I realize now that I was buildin’ my case from more than just one news source. I should have also provided a link to this article titled Exclusive: Emanuel To Send Kids To U. Of C. Lab Schools
Here are the excerpts that were of interest to me:
“If I made a decision about my children that was not as father, but as mayor, first of all my kids would know it – because it is exactly what we said, they have a sixth sense about that – and I’d be less as a father,” he said. “I would know it and the public will understand, then I’m less of a person and I know they will appreciate that. I have absolute confidence in that.”
“There is nothing more important to me than my children and my family and you know this as a father … our kids are unbelievably smart. They know if tjey [sic] become instruments or second priorities,” he said. “And I never want my kids to grow up thinking that my career or my profession trumps their future or their relationship with me.”
So, to clarify, I believe that Rahm selectively used his children to get sympathy and acceptance from the public. Who is going to argue with the kind of logic he presents here? We all agree that parents want what’s best for their children; I said sos myself in the original post last week. Nobody will ever question that and Rahm knows it. All parents know it. However, to be perfectly clear, Rahm states how his children have this sixth sense about his parental abilities. Why use them to get more sympathy? Just tell us what you decided to do and leave it at that for now boss. Nah. Ya know why? ‘Cause he’s sellin’ himself as a caring parent by using his children to convince us. I’m not sayin’ he isn’t a caring parent. I’m just sayin’ that he’s makin’ sure we know what his children are thinkin’ ’cause it adds that level of humanism needed to push his political agenda over the top, or rather, through the doors of the lab school.
I’d like to know what his response would be if his children said, “Hey dad, my sixth sense tells me that school on the south side is too darn far. I rather go to school in our ‘hood so I can hang with my new friends and get some extra sleep in the morning. Whatdaya say pops?” Would Rahm still listen to his children? Would he tell the public?
My answer is this: I don’t think so ’cause Rahm the father would still do what Rahm the politician wants to do. I’m guessin’ he’d take his powerful parental role and tell his children to get in the car and we, the citizens of the city, would be none the wiser ’cause I’m sure Rahm would keep this family matter private.
Would we still think of him as being a caring parent if we knew this was going on? I do wonder.
Through it all, the children pay the price. They serve Rahm’s calculated needs perfectly. He serves ‘em up at the right time, with just the right hint of moral awareness that keeps us all at bay, in our state of public education discontent. But we don’t question the politician disguised as the parent. Smooth move. We fall for it ’cause the father says the mayor is doin’ the right thing; and he can only be the father if he presents the children, the token, objectified, children. They serve his purpose well. Sad, but true.
My argument isn’t whether or not Rahm is a good father. It’s none of my business. My concern is that he is using political clout to state his case to the public and then, and then, and then, he’s using his children to demonstrate how moral he can be. This is almost as bad as those photos of children standing next to politicians while they sign new laws. No wait. I take it back. It is as equally bad. Stop playing these games with children. They are not political objects.
On a side note, and to address KS’s comment regarding Rahm sending his children to school on his own dime. I have to respectfully disagree. Rahm is sendin’ his children to school on our dime, the taxpayers of Chicago. Now, just like the mayor has the right to tell us, city employees where to live and by default, spend our nickles and dimes, we too should have a right to tell Rahm where to spend his quarters.
Thanks for readin’.
I know the public understands me. I have absolute confidence in that. My sixth sense tells me so.
Posted in Advice, Controversy, Fascinating, News, Opinion | Tagged: Children of a benevolent Rahm, Rahm the father is not Rahm the mayor, Sensing a problem | 1 Comment »
T-K-P Summer Weekend 2011
Posted by Realist on July 23, 2011
No, it’s not the usual TKP, this is the ‘where you TRAVELIN’, where you KICKIN’ it, and why dont’s you POST it‘ edition. Where do you find yourself this weekend?
Y’all tryin’ to get the most out of your limited summer vacation weekends? Goin’ somewhere? Stayin’ indoors or being bold and givin’ the sun your best side?
Anypeep goin’ to see that soccer game by the lake?
Whachagotgoinon?
Posted in Events, Faculty, Fascinating | Tagged: Hot fun in the ol' town | Leave a Comment »
Phriday Photo of the Week
Posted by Realist on July 22, 2011
Phriday Photo of the week will be a summer pheature where I’ll offer an image taken with my phantastical camera phone. The photos will range from phunny to thoughtphul with a sprinkle of phoolishness. A gift from me to you visual learners. Comments are welcomed.
Let’s do it again, shall we?
This is number two of about three different ads I’ve seen on the back of CTA buses this summer.
This one does have less text than the first ad. It’s more to the point, but by now, you know I donts agree with the point.
Give me leaders that work first, then you don’t have to worry about “selling” the institution on the back of a bus.
If y’all have a photo you’d like to share, send it to chicagorealist@yahoo.com. I’ll post anonymously or otherwise; you tell me, and I’ll do it.
Posted in Aesthetics, Fascinating, Musing | Tagged: Define'work', Education That Works | Leave a Comment »
Message from Ellen Goldberg
Posted by itejeda on July 21, 2011
Hi everyone. I hope you are staying cool.
Ellen asked if I could share this message on The Lounge. She’s almost reached her goal for the group rate. If you are interested, check with her.
MESSAGE FROM: Ellen Goldberg, Director of the Transfer Center, Harold Washington College, ext-5778
Hello Wonderful, Fabulous Colleagues,
Ana Villafane and I would like to cordially invite you to attend the Chicago production of Westside Story at the Cadillac Palace Theater on August 10, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
To get the group rate, we need a minimum of 15 people. The tickets cost 31 dollars per person (29 for ticket and 2 for fee). Our goal is to collect the money by Friday, July 29 which is the closest pay day to the event.
Please let us know if you are interested! 
It will be fun to do some staff bonding! Please join us! If you want to invite anyone, let us know how many tickets you will need. We can have more than 15!
It will be fun to do some staff bonding! Please join us! If you want to invite anyone, let us know how many tickets you will need. We can have more than 15! Ellen
Posted in Events, Faculty | Tagged: Ellen Goldberg, West Side Story | Leave a Comment »
