Interversity.Org

UFO* i L L U S i O N* i D E N T i F i E D !*
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written 7-10-05 by Tracy J. Crockett
I had my first UFO sighting, in Provo, Utah, at 9:50pm on July 3rd, 3004. It began when
A strange cloud appeared over my head, which was in the shape of an upward- pointing finger. Looking above it, I saw for one full hour- 60 UFOs which moved in a variety of strange ways. All of the UFOs looked in every way to be ordinary stars!

In the following year, through a series of "UFO visitations" carried out- I believe- by a race of benevolent Aliens, I was given the clues which pointed to an astonishing illusion which has been created above us by: An exceedingly MALEVOLENT Alien race!

Here are the T-shirt designs Georgia has come up with so far. There is a poll to vote for which one you like best.

I am writing to see if you or someone you know may be interested in a possible position at the University of South Florida. My department may have two, one-year instructor appointments available next year with the possibility of renewal for up to three years. If these positions become available, we will be seeking specialists in rhetoric and composition and may consider doctoral students.

We would be looking for someone with 1) strong background in rhet/comp theory and pedagogy; 2) effectiveness in teaching first-year composition; 3) successful integration of new technologies in computers and composition; 4) research pursuits appropriate to a 4/4 teaching load; 5) the ability to assume leadership and/or mentoring responsibilities in an evolving composition program as called upon by the director.

I believe that every English and Literacy teacher has an "I wish" list that goes on forever...

It has been some time since I have been able to sit and write here... my very first mistake was thinking that I need to have yet another blog. Well, that was simply out of admiration... not practicality. Obviously, I am not equipped to reach out in so many directions.... I have to be content for ONE art project and ONE computer project during the school year. The greenhouse is my salvation, but it cannot serve its purpose if I overextend my time online. (after all, there is only so much time in a day)

Another "literacy crisis" story. I wonder why reporters, ostensibly inquisitive by nature, never think to ask the question of literacy crisis purveyors: If we're so woefully underprepared to survive in an info-rich world, how is it we keep surviving in an info-rich world? Each generation of students, horribly illiterate though they are, keep finding and succeeding at jobs in the modern work place. They get out of school unable to this or that or the other, but somehow they manage to do this, that, the other, and some new stuff besides.

Weird, huh?

Study: College students lack literacy for complex tasks

So McCarthyism only had to endure half a century of ignominity before experiencing a big comeback. Not bad. Any ideas how we can escort it back to its place in the graveyard of bad ideas?

UCLA alumni group targets 'radical' professors

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- An alumni group is offering students up to $100 per class to supply tapes and notes exposing professors who allegedly express extreme left-wing political views at the University of California, Los Angeles.

One of the professors calls it McCarthyism.

Aha! Online education is moving from the margins to the mainstream. Interversity, of course, started with the idea that learning online was, in many ways, as productive as learning in traditional situations.

Vindication! :-)

Students prefer online courses
Classes popular with on-campus students
Friday, January 13, 2006; Posted: 3:18 p.m. EST (20:18 GMT)

(AP) -- Andy Steele lives just a few blocks from the campus of Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota, so commuting to class isn't the problem. But he doesn't like lectures much, isn't a morning person, and wants time during the day to restore motorcycles.

Teacher reaction mixed, they say. I'll bet it is! What do you all think?

Houston to tie teachers' pay to test scores

Friday, January 13, 2006; Posted: 9:36 a.m. EST (14:36 GMT)

HOUSTON, Texas (AP) -- Houston became the largest school district in the country on Thursday to adopt a merit pay plan for teachers that focuses on students' tests scores.

By a 9-0 vote, the Houston school board approved a plan that offers teachers as much as $3,000 in extra pay if their students improve on state and national tests. The program could be expanded to provide as much as $10,000 in merit pay for teachers.

The softer side of his agenda? I guess it is, but I'm afraid that's only a testament to the harshness of the rest of his agenda.

Back in school, Bush touts signature education law

Monday, January 9, 2006; Posted: 4:03 p.m. EST (21:03 GMT)

GLEN BURNIE, Maryland (AP) -- Emphasizing the softer side of his agenda, President Bush went back to school Monday, touting rising test scores as proof that his education law is working.

Bush marked the fourth anniversary of the No Child Left Behind Act by visiting North Glen Elementary, a suburban Baltimore school that has made big gains in reading and math. It was a reminder of a major bipartisan success that Bush scored early in his White House tenure, far from the wrangling over war, domestic spying and other matters overshadowing his second term.

Here we have a student complaining about grade inflation! Or rather, test-score inflation. Still, it's noteworthy if not unique. I have mixed feelings about his conclusion, which is that the SAT essay test is too easy and need not be taken seriously. For him, perhaps that's so. For many students, writing the kind of essay Shar scoffs at may be the best they can manage, and for them, following his advice would be unwise indeed. On the other hand, I'm NAIVEly skeptical that the SAT essay test is a very useful measure of student writing ability, so I'm kind of sympathetic to Shar's scoffing.