Finally, a research paper without all painful side effects!!

I must confess that I quite taken aback by the logic involved with the i-search paper. Throughout my schooling I have written quite a few research papers and to be honest, most if not all close to a complete waste of time. It was not by a lack of effort but rather we are expected to present this stuffy, academic bore fest for consumption. I wouldn’t go as far to say that I learned nothing from the experiences but I can say with certainty that I was not emotionally attached to the projects. It would be a refreshing exercise to be guided by our own instinct and efforts and likes and dislikes in lieu of researching long-winded academic journals for just the right author that we can at least tolerate to read. I have generated no ideas just yet, however I am already assuming that the i-search paper will be a project that I will look back on and remember.

It must have be a worthwhile experience to notice a child’s intellectual growth firsthand as described in WTL. The boy, Scott, arrived to the teacher from special education class and was tentative about discovery, but with some guidance he was like a bird flying for the first time. Scott wanted to learn and it showed in his significantly increased levels of learning and interesting despite his learning disabilities. Scott is a memorable example as to why writing workshops can be a valuable tool/experience for young, developing students.

Chapter 2 in 9R was funny the way that the uptight, wound too tight teacher found love and instantly became a more alternatively guided instructor and permitted more freedom in subject matter. The author remembers this teacher as a child was able to make the connection the stern, no-nonsense teacher existed only in”the world of school” and it was much different in the real world. And as the author finds out later in life, it can be difficult to not have guidelines and just write, and also be interesting as well. Although it wasn’t too provocative, I enjoyed the Andy Rooney paragraph with his thoughts of learned knowledge and experience. I have always enjoyed the way Rooney can just dissect what ever topic and make something seem ridiculous, comical, or thought provoking, Seinfeld has a similar gift with more of an emphasis on the humor than intellectual analysis.