RE: Memes and Education

From: Bruce Jones (BruceJ@nwths.com)
Date: Fri Sep 29 2000 - 14:16:00 BST

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    From: Bruce  Jones <BruceJ@nwths.com>
    To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
    Subject: RE: Memes and Education
    Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2000 08:16:00 -0500
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    > -----Original Message-----
    > From: Vincent Campbell [SMTP:v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk]
    > Subject: RE: Memes and Education
    >
    >
    > Unfortunately my friend suggested that my proposed test of this- to be
    > really nice to one seminar group, and normal to the other group and
    > compare
    > results at the end of the semester- was probably unethical! (and not
    > scientific either, probably).
            [BJ] I just read of a reported example of just such an experiment
    done by an Educational Technology Masters Candidate. As of this time it has
    not been published. I would be interested in seeing the results.

    > Interesting idea that education should be meme-free, but if ideas are at
    > least in part memes then why would you want to make education meme-free?
    > What's left to educate people about- especially in the largely
    > non-empirical
    > subjects of the humanities?
            [BJ] You are right ... my focus was a little narrow. This is a
    prime example of POLITICAL memes intruding. I have been having an argument
    with my administration about the insertion of company, boardroom driven
    material into our education offerings. I feel that education should be
    apolitical or at least politics neutral.

    > If anything I'd actually say the reverse, that education should be full of
    > memes- the crucial element being taught is that of critical thinking,
    > giving
    > people the skills to evalute claims, ideas, evidence etc. in the most
    > effective way possible.
            [BJ] Again I agree and apologize for inserting my current personal
    bias's.

    > Sorry, butting in, feel free to ignore.
            [BJ] Butt in any time .... I needed the reality check!

            Bruce

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