mlerules

So much emphasis and focus goes into and onto STUFF that kids should know that there's not much time left to let 'em figure out and/or guide 'em towards DEALING WITH all or DISCOVERING some of the stuff (e.g., THINKING). And several weeks of each May is taken up by assessments, reducing further the time for teaching/learning and resulting in kids, CHILDREN, w/severe test anxiety. I feel for you in your position. My mom's been teaching at CSUs for over 30 years now and she reports things heading downhill over that time prep-wise for incoming students. Glad that some start to get it near the end of the semester: that's promising. Mebbe if'n it's a 2-part class they'll start the 2nd one w/a headstart. The Single Right Answer preference may stem from the multitude of T/F and muliple choice tests they've had to take, where One True Answer is desired. Mebbe start off the course w/some talk and/or discussion EXPLICITLY addressing the issue of of No Single Right answer, explaining the holistic approach to design (lots of factors must align for the star (the show) to be born...or some other reference that they'd get, ideally). The idea of the gov't serving the interests of the people could get you tossed into jail in less enlightened times, climes, places...showing that you're right on target w/this one!