Re: Is Evolution a Fact - I Don't Know

In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Penny Nickels wrote:
> 
> "Sverker Johansson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Penny Nickels wrote:
>> >  I'm a high school science teacher.
>>
>> I'm a teacher-college science teacher.  Physicist primarily,
>> but I teach evolution as well every now and then.
>>
>> > Our textbook has less than
>> >  half  a  page about  evolution.
>>
>> Then you should get a serious textbook instead.
>>
> I don't *get* to select the textbook.
>>
>> One that hasn't been bowdlerized by publishers
>> attempting to appease religious nuts.
>>
> This would be interesting research. I.e. to find out how many
> textbooks have an in depth treatment of evolution. Certainly,
> at high school level, biology can be taught with great
> emphasis upon Darwinism.
>>
>> > When my  students ask whether
>> >  I believe in evolution, I just tell them it isn't about me, it's your
>> >  decision.
>>
>> Do you tell them that about any scientific subject that
>> they ask about?  Do you tell them that if they ask
>> whether you believe the earth goes around the sun or
>> vice versa?  Or do you single out evolution for
>> special treatment?
>>
> I see no reason to get involved in controversy. Nobody
> doubts the function of the heart, kidney, liver etc this
> is not controversial and can be taught without going
> into evolution, in depth. As a teacher, I accomplish
> more without getting involved in controversy. If you,
> as a professor or a fellowship instructor, can't
> understand this, then you haven't taught students
> who have a tendency to argue over trifling things
> and who also have a penchant for becoming unruly.
>>
>> > You must make up your own minds _after_ studing
>> >  all sides.
>>
>> Even though one side consists of deliberate desinformation
>> spread by charlatans and religious nuts with an agenda?
>>
> I don't teach Genesis either.
>>
> [snip]

One is left wondering why you became a teacher if the best that you can
offer young minds is "figure it out for yourself".  Of course ultimately,
that is what each individual has to do.  Just why are you in a classroom
if you aren't there to help children in their path to understanding the
world around them?

We have teachers for a reason: some ideas are better/more useful than
others, and it saves people a great deal of trouble if they don't have
to figure out EVERYTHING on their own.  

        Mark