Testing: A Personal History (That's my new blog!)
After a long long time of consideration, scribbling and dictating notes. and just generally dithering, I've decided to start a new blog entitled: Testing — A Personal History. The link is here to my first installment. This project has occupied me off and on for several years and I've now reached the point that Vladimir Nabokov described for one of his characters, "This research had long entered the charmed stage when the quest overrides the goal."
The goal in this case — exploration of the different experiences that individuals encountered with testing — remains important to me. As I point out at the link to the first post below, part of that importance arises from my continuing belief that educational measurement matters a great deal as we try to move forward and improve learning for everyone in this country and around the world. Even though I currently and prospectively spend most of my time as playwright or producer of theater, talking about testing constitutes unfinished business for me. Another part of that importance stems from a curiosity as to how others view testing. That's why this blog not only welcomes but solicits every type of view. And a final aspect that renders the goal important is my own need to exorcise some of the demons around testing that boiled up in me during almost two decades (somewhat) at the center of that world.
I hope very much that you will read the post. I pray that you'll consider writing something regarding your own views about testing -- a test that changed your life for better or ill, or just a response to some of the things that I will be writing about on subjects ranging from heritability, fairness, validity, reliability, and learning. In almost all of those topics, I continue to be a nonexpert, but I also continue to be deeply interested, which is why I cannot yet let go of testing.
BTW the baby in the post is NOT me!
Project Lead at HM Revenue & Customs
1 年T.J. I've worked in the Learning arena for last 5 years. Prior to that there was a period were I worked full time and studied with the College of Law [University] for a LLB. Testing fascinates me, I'm like you I can't let it go. I'm going to peruse further into your blogs and posts, and will share more with you as I do. Ty MartyC Ps my frustration in law was I used to average plus 70 or more in exams and assignments. What I wanted though was for my assignments to hit the 90 plus mark. It was like my version of seeking out the Holy Grail. Just a minor insight into my mind u. Speak soon, you take care please.
Executive Producer of new YouTube series Wood Stone and Steel
3 年TJ. I spoke about testing once before in this post, but I never spoke about a test I took in 8th grade that said I should become an architect or building. It never dawned on me while. 13 year old the importance of a career to sustain yourself, a wife, and children. Many years later doing what I love to do for a living as a structural engineer, civil engineer, and construction representative has it dawned on me how valuable tests like these are. The cruel thing is that most parents are too busy to take tests like these to heart because of their busy schedules, and children are left to hopefully figure things out later in life. I am extremely grateful to Prep and the way they taught me Socratic discourse, and how that opens our minds to the truth. Testing has its benefits for those who analyze and pursue its outcomes.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University
3 年Congrats T.J. ??
President & CEO, Manolo's Best Chili, LLC
3 年Look forward to reading your posts. Thanks for inviting us in to discuss this important topic. You’ll have many takers, I’m sure.
Experienced HR leader | HR Strategic Advisor | Organizational Design | Leadership Development | Executive Coach | HR Consultant | HR Business Partner | Talent Management | Employee Relations | Employee Engagement
3 年Can't wait to read what you have to say