polluted waters

polluted waters

 

 

 

the spills are decomposing

osmosis didn't work,

when are we going to stop calling the lecture

"learning..."

 

teaching needs active voice

passive students have vacant eyes

 

even if the thirst for knowledge

hasn't quite moved out, yet.

 

 

erin-cilberto

2/15/17

Reviews

[D Connolly]

Oddly enough, I would get in trouble many times when I would ask questions in school... Maybe I asked the wrong questions. I eventually stopped going because I thought it was a complete waste of time. I ended up finding an alternative school where we were essentially left to our own devices to learn what we wanted within the curriculum offered. And the teachers remembered my name, hot damn! I try not to get sad when I meet people who just take whatever they hear (or read on Facebook) at face value and don't ask deeper questions to learn. There is a huge issue with social media providing people with "news" that is COMPLETELY false. And even if it is technically true, there's no context; no one seems to care how things escalated or deflated to the current (or historical) situation, they only want to barf out an opinion that's so loosely based in facts that it shouldn't even count as conversation. Anyway, Jacob, I like your poem, and it certainly makes me think. It reminds me to keep asking questions, and you know what?? I'm going to keep asking questions that piss people off! I'm too old to care at this point LOL. Good job

[jacob erin-cilberto]

geez, D....i hate that you had that experience with teachers who got mad if you asked questions....they should not be in the classroom...glad you found an alternative.

thank you for sharing...

j.

[Raven Wyntermoon]

the spills are decomposing
osmosis didn't work,
when are we going to stop calling the lecture
"learning..."
Great visual writing to describe the intangible disease that continues to overflow into our own independent thinking. With so much technology and social media, I feel that we have lost touch in being natural creative learners and rely on new age technology to process short term information.
Teacher/ student engagement to question history, society, education, community is so crucial to keeping that thirst of knowledge from drying out.
Kudos to TEACHERS as you are hit with continuous ever changing challenges!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, it's all instant gratification...research a touch of the key---we don't work for things like we used to, especially in the area of learning...

thank you, Raven.

j.

[Tony Jordan]

There's a willingness to learn - how big Kardashians hips are, who has the best batting average, what does Kanye drive...
If only a pride in knowledge that's useful could be stoked once more.
It must be so frustrating for you and your colleagues Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

sometimes yes, and at other times so rewarding..there are still those interested in bettering themselves with learning that means something.
thank you, Tony.
j.

[Ruth]

It feels like we are on a time limit of late, so much is happening that so few seem bothered about. So many issues to educate about and in reality so little attention is paid to it, it is way past time to leave that "learning" stage and move forward in spreading the word...superb Jacob...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insights, Poppy...
instant gratification these days...even what students want...
j.

[Ruth]

True love, you are most welcome, always...

[redzone]

here hear!!! and in your poetry Jacob I hear teaching and action... like Robin Williams in the movie "Dead Poets Society".. O' captain My Captain... do you stand on top of your desk??? rip out pages in antiquated books??? pace the floor and read very loudly??? somehow Jacob I think if your students are unresponsive, unmotivated,, you should fire them all !!!! er... okay, perhaps not... you have to excuse me Jacob, I got caught up in your poem's active voice... calming down now... ;0)

redzone

[jacob erin-cilberto]

that's okay...i love active voice...i try to teach my students to use it...and in the classroom, use it there and think outside the box.

[Isabella Ivy]

Truth. 'Teaching needs active voice', so very true. Good write! I.I.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, I.I.

j.

[Norman 223]

Well said, Jacob!
The ability to involve the student is the spur to creative thought, whether it is in literature , science or even manual work. A successful tutor will produce an "apprentice" rather than a hollow echo.
N.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like that idea of the tutor being "apprentice."
i think it is so important for students to think outside the box...

j.

[Lydia Shutter]

This is why you must be a wonderful teacher, Jacob. The student has to feel part of the process of learning. Listening to a teacher go on and on does not teach anything. Learning has to have spark...has to be interesting. I agree. Great write. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Lydi...
j.

[Ken Simm.]

Now you know I will find lots of connections with this Jacob. The teaching of the individual was always my thing and I suspect you find as I did a wish to learn was not universal. Brilliant piece.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Ken.
j.

[T Passos]

Very interesting, enjoyed the "music" of it.
Being a high school I can relate to this. Most of the time all the classrooms seem empty of interest and restlessness. Both from the teacher and students it is quite rare to find a good relationship between them.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

that is so sad...i wish that weren't true...thank you for your words, T.

j.