Hi Linda,

I am sure that on-line discussions lead to simplification, as you  
suggest.  You can tell that many of the simplifications raise my  
hackles.  This  happens especially around American history.  I do  
think it is very important--do I say critical?--for  real knowledge  
to be taught.  I also think it is my obligation as a list member to  
point to facts if I think I have  them.  I am happy to be challenged  
and to be corrected if I am wrong.  I also thank any list members who  
correct anything I say that is incorrect, so--thank you!

Now, maybe we would agree and maybe we wouldn't if we were sitting  
around over coffee.  One of the glories of these NIFL sites is that  
they provide SPACE to have many points  of view expressed.  Often  
divergent views are suppressed when people meet, and a kind of  
hierarchy of opinion results, with not all  voices heard.

Andrea:)

On Sep 25, 2008, at 3:00 PM, Sally Bishop wrote:


> Yes!!!

>

> On Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 11:32 AM, Lynda Terrill <lterrill at cal.org>  

> wrote:

> Dear subscribers,

>

> It might be productive for the list to refocus on sharing  

> principles and strategies for getting to know who the learners  

> are-- including their needs, goals as well as language  

> proficiencies, demographic, and cultural backgrounds.

>

> I'm wondering whether the nature of online discussions themselves  

> may sometimes lead to simplification (or over-simplification) of  

> complex issues.   A word or a phrase or an expressed idea may seem  

> more immutable in print than it might be in real life.  I have  

> little doubt that if we met in real time at a café, we would find  

> that we have much in common.  If this imaginary meeting were like  

> almost all of the conversations I've had with other adult ESL  

> practitioners, we'd all be talking with respect, admiration, and  

> concern for the adult English language learners we work with.

>

>

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Lynda Terrill

> List moderator

> lterrill at cal.org

>

>

>

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