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marblez · Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

Moonraven - What is your education? I'm just curious. I've never seen a teacher who taught statistics and languages before, I think that's interesting. I wish I was better in math because I'd love to do that.

AsiaTraveller · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:22 pm Post subject:

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Let's slow down here and look at what has transpired in this thread. Then ask yourself this question:

Would you, if you were a student taking a class in statistics, jump into a forum on astrophysics and ask the same poll question that the OP asked?

An ESL site is not an astrophysics site, but it has just as little to do with the OP's question.

The fact that the OP is a math/statistics student is a little peculiar, too, in my opinion--given that this site is ostensibly for the use of ESL teachers.

Marblez asked--I feel sanctimoniously--if we treat our students this way? Students who barge into discussions or environments where they are not invited are frequently given the suggestion to leave. And a student who would persist--hard to imagine--and then complain that we weren't nice to him--hard to imagine, as well.

Something doesn't smell right here....

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

marblez:

I don't know that, given your disparaging attitude toward me, that I need to go into an extended narrative of my educational/career twists and turns. However, in regard to the topic of statistics:

I entered university on a math and physics scholarship. All 3 of my degrees are in English (plus philosophy at the undergrad level). Statistics, like any field involving numbers, can be self-taught fairly easily when one has a gift for numbers. (I never took an accounting class, but spent 8 years as an accountant--including 4 owning my own accounting firm.)

I ended up teaching a workshop in statistics for psychology grad students because stat was a required course for them and my husband and several others were at risk of failing--and sending some big research grant bucks down the drain.

marblez · Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

Sanctimoniously? Interesting that you would apply that term to me. I'm just wondering why teachers respond to a student's question with such awful words. Do you feel it is appropriate to say the things that those people said? I really don't.

This student did not barge in to an unwanted discussion as there were posters who were perfectly content with answering the OP's question. Then, he was ripped to shreds by those who thought his question was stupid. The OP's question was also no more off-topic than the many, many, many, many Bush/USA political talk that is always being posted of late. Why is it wrong for him but right for you? I will defend his position to post this as much as I will defend YOUR position to post about politics.

I'm not sure why you feel that it is strange that the student is a math/statistics student. I just finished numerous qualitative research courses last semester - and you yourself taught statistics.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

marblez · Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

I'm not trying to be disparaging, I just think that lately you are treating people like the dirt beneath your shoe. I do respect you a lot, no doubt about that, but it's hard to ignore this.

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Maybe what's needed here is a poll to find out how many of us want to have students take over this forum? I have an enormous regard for students, but I don't want to spend my time doing their homework for them.

I am not sure how Dave Sperling will make a go of it with a student forum, but as he seems like a resourceful guy, I suppose he'll figure out a way to do so.

The only fly in the ointment of my modest proposal is that if this becomes a forum for students, they will only have other students to help them with their homework.

So it goes. The best laid plans of mice and men, and all that.

marblez · Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

I think that is a good idea.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I think marblez should conduct the poll, as it needs to be a serious one--not one conducted tongue-in beak....

AsiaTraveller

Here's what the OP said in his initial post. Note that he didn't identify himself as a "student" and also did not say that he wasn't an English teacher.

Peligro · Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 16

vre · Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Posts: 371

Good luck to you, Peligro. I wish I had been as active a student at your age. You seem to be a lot more mature than some of the people on this forum.

From a random selection of countries, however, isn't it a little odd that most of the wealthiest and most powerful nations are on the list? Or is that the point? What are your conclusions so far?

I was never good at maths so forgive my ignorance.

Moonraven, you really have done a lot in your life, haven't you!

Marbles, I am sure your students respect you too, your patience and your understanding. Don't lose that!