"Writers in Conversation" Lecture

Tonight I went to the lecture given by Amy Weldon and Rachel Faldet in Olin 102. These two Luther English professors meet every couple weeks to read and critique each others writing projects. At the lecture tonight, they each read bits of the projects they are currently working on.

Amy Weldon presented first and read a twenty minute excerpt of a novel she's working on. Her writing style was incredibly descriptive -- I could picture every detail of what she was explaining. I believe her novel has great potential and I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see it in bookstores in a few years. 

Rachel Faldet's style was very different from that of Amy Weldon's. Professor Faldet wrote short stories/essays instead of a novel (like Weldon). Her first essay was a reflection of camping when she was younger. It was written with a colloquial tone. She used a lot of humor, which was obvious by the laughter it produced in the audience. The second essay she read was still a work-in-progress. It is about her husband's dead sister. Professor Faldet had never met her sister-in-law before, so it's a very hard piece to write. I was very impressed by her writing and expect to see it published in many magazines, journals, etc.

The thing I was most impressed with is how these two professors have time to write and work toward a goal of publication. I give them so much credit for all the work they do. I hope I will be able to balance my teaching career with a serious hobby like these professors showed me was possible.

Lecture: Monday the 22nd

I was so relieved in Monday night's lecture that someone finally explained Chalk and Wire to me. I had heard a lot about it, but never many details. Erin Zidlicky seemed incredibly knowledgeable about it, and explained the process in a way that even people who aren't computer savvy (like me) could understand. 

Chalk and Wire seems to be a good program, especially when looking for jobs in a few years. I do, however have a couple worries: First, what if the computer program somehow crashes and all of my work throughout college is lost? There is no way for me to show future employers everything I've done through the Luther Education Department if everything is lost. Secondly, not everyone is moving towards the electronic world. What if my job interviewers don't understand how to go through Chalk and Wire? I know many older people who would much rather have hard copies of my work so they can see it right in front of them. Thirdly, as I mentioned earlier, I am not too smart when it comes to computers. I don't want to feel as if I'm at a disadvantage from people who are intelligent with computers. Finally, one of the things we learn in education classes is that everyone learns differently. I therefore think it is a bit ironic that we are all expected to use Chalk and Wire, instead of having the option to present our information in other ways. 

I am eager to start this Chalk and Wire process to see how it works first-hand. 

"Lions to Lambs" Response

Over the course of two lectures, my educational psychology class has watch the 2007 film Lions to Lambs. Directed by Robert Redford, this movie has three main plots: A professor trying to get his student motivated, a news reporter interviewing a state senator, and two American soldiers fighting in the war in Afghanistan. As the movie unfolds, the viewer realized how these plots are all linked together. 

The two soldiers fighting in Afghanistan, Ernest and Arian, were once students of the professor who was trying to motivate the carefree student. It was the inspiration given from this instructor, Professor Malley, that influenced Ernest and Arian's decision to enlist in the war. Malley was initially appalled when he heard of their decision -- he did not mean for them to go get themselves killed (as, unfortunately, ended up happening). As a teacher he wanted to push his students to their limits, question their motives in life, and inspire them to do what they never thought possible. But he did not realize this would cause two students to go to war.

This brings up the question of when does a teacher get too involved? Is there a limit as to how far you should push your students?

I believe that there is no such thing as "pushing someone too far." Professor Malley did not tell his students to enlist in the war -- he did not even suggest it. If he had done so, he may be more to blame, but even then he was not the one who signed their names on the enrollment page. Ernest and Arian were so excited when they told him they had enlisted, that it was hard for Professor Malley to tell them what an awful idea he thought it was. Whether it was his intention or not, Professor Malley had inspired his students to do something they believed in.

And I feel that is a teacher's number one goal.

First Entry Ever :)

Hi, I'm a sophomore at Luther College and this is my first post.