I am seriously considering a Ph.D now. YES, finally a Ph.D. It would be a joint Curriculum and Instruction program (I would choose History) at the University of Wisconsin. It is the only Ph.D that I have seen so far. I mean let's accept reality, an Ed.D is almost a joke in the real world. Even funnier is an M.Ed; I would know. Education is not respected and teachers are suspect. Even when some professionals see these letters they question the ability of the applicant. It is sad that teachers have lost so much respect that a degree in education is seen as a sign that you are not as well qualified as someone else. And if you decide to get a "real" degree, you are too expensive and no one can hire you. And after listened to On Point the other day, I was further depressed about my chosen profession. http://www.onpointradio.org/2010/07/teacher-layoffs The world hates teachers. We are greedy and only care about our paychecks. As for benefits, I would not call my plan Cadillac by any stretch of the imagination. But why waste my time justifying? Let all those naysayers spend just one day in my classroom and they will see the reality of my profession. If they last that long that is.
I miss grad school. Online classes can never come close. There is a joy in talking to each other and discussing important topics and books. I love technology, but I know it's limits. It cannot replace real world communication. I will still read paper books, I will still visit libraries and archives, and I will never own an i anything. I will teach with notes, critical thinking, and primary sources. You know we can "go green" all we want, but technology cannot replace everything. I have seen the Matrix. I do not want that. I really feel that technology will make us stupid if we are not careful.
I better go before the pitchforks come out. Besides, close to 100 books to read in the next 7 weeks, plus those three workshops.
