Tip of the Week: Avoid “Lemming Behavior”
Lemmings are small rodents. Their actions have been popularized by Disney with the classic nature film, “White Wilderness.” Lemmings have also been used in light-hearted video games by the same name. Their behavior points to a phenomena of human behavior: our tendency to conform, to “not rock the boat,” to simply “go with the flow.” In both the Disney movie and in the video game, lemmings follow each other off a cliff!
When it comes to choosing your student’s curriculum and educational platform from ever increasing array of choices, three things need to be considered: expert opinion, user reviews, and your own instinct and experience.
Textbook publishers call on experts to help them design products that are educationally sound, visually appealing and interesting, and that consider the age and maturity of the children who will be using them.
User reviews give real life appraisals. Good reviews point out what worked and what didn’t.
While we need to respect and consider what the experts and users are saying, we must also trust our own instincts, our own experience. No matter how well researched or designed a textbook or on-line option is, no matter how many five-star ratings something gets, it ultimately has to work for your child. And if, as you start this school year, you find something you’ve bought isn’t working, don’t be afraid to return it. Don’t be afraid to make a decision that is contrary to the “experts” or public opinion. Don’t be afraid to go a different direction. After all, you are the parent and the teacher. The ultimate decision is yours.
When it comes to choosing and using curriculum, consider expert opinions, user reviews, but especially your own instinct and experience. That’s the tip of the week!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE
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