We have to Stop Pretending...

When it comes to education, we need to stop pretending:

1.  that more assessment and data are the answer to every problem in education.  Students are not data points.  Making them feel like this will do nothing to enhance their learning or their love of learning.

2.  that math courses really teach problem-solving.  Math courses teach how to solve math problems in math textbooks.  Unless the course does something radically different such as presenting students with real-world problems and facilitating methods for solving them then the entire benefit of math courses as problem-solving courses is just a pretense.
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3.  that we can get our students to value lifelong learning without modeling it for them.  Many teachers and professors are doing a phenomenal job of modeling a love of learning, but many are just doing their job and no more.  You can't stand up and say lifelong learning is valuable with any credibility without showing it in your own life and actions.  You want students to read books, read them yourself!

4.  that we can encourage creative thinking without valuing creative endeavors.  Do you want to make the argument that creativity is important?  Then include creativity in your courses!  Teach through creative processes and teach academic courses using the arts.  Show the connection and students will see the connection.

5.  that lecturing, using textbooks, and other conventional tools will lead to motivated learners.  There is no reason to use textbooks to teach… Well, anything!  There are better, more affordable resources everywhere.  Interesting books, interactive websites, the great outdoors.  If you want to motivate students to be learners introduce them to the best ideas and resources in the field you are teaching them. That rarely will include the standard textbook for your course.