E Unum Pluribus

Teaching & Learning Styles
   (Liberal Art as opposed
      to the liberal arts)
 
Dear Colleagues.
 
Yesterday I  received a salutary
scolding by a student for my self-
righteous, arrogant, insensitive
manner if not habit of being.
 
Uncaring of students' feelings,
lazy, close-minded: and that
karma was going to kick my
ass (she didn’t say ass) if I
didn't  change my ways which
she knew I  wouldn't because
I was already set in them.
 
And of course she's right. 
 
I've got no defense that wouldn't
undercut her position & perspective,
slant & take: and I carry those same
accusations with me daily and take
them to  bed with me  at night.
 
I call it the O Whatta-Buncha-Crap
Factor: the “giant”  that follows me
wherever I go &  won't be denied or,
I was going  to say covered-up but of
course I cover  & deny these things
and sometimes live with them best
I  can, even making virtue if possible
in that alchemy of liberal  art & daily
transformation which is “the work,”
yes?
 
However described.
However characterized.
 
In my Dialog & Dialectics course,
I claim that the practice of dialectic
don't even begin until someone gets
hurt—not the stick-&-stones hurt we
all abhor, but the injury, borderland
trans- gression, homeland security
violation, insult that reveals frontiers
of my intolerance yet unknown until
someone hammers me good.

Ah!
AHA!
Ha Ha.
There IT is.
Let the dialectic begin. 
 
Prior to that point IT's  all  dialog 
on-the-same-page measurable
goals & assessable outcomes &
chocolates & roses & a good time
had by all as opposed to (not to be
conflated, collapsed, & confused
with) a GOOD time.
 
E Unum Pluribus:
teaching and learning styles. 

xxxooo, Obama My Love