Comments on: Is Teaching like Quarterbacking? On Malcolm Gladwell’s “Most Likely To Succeed”

By: Christine from Teaching Jobs Today

Christine from Teaching Jobs Today — Fri, 27 May 2011 04:06:11 +0000

“Is it really as quantifiable as the article says?”

Yes and no, I think. Some parts are quantifiable. Some are only quantifiable once you get out of school (into the NFL if you like). Other parts simply help you in ways that aren’t quantifiable at all. … And some things just screw you up. :)
Christine from Teaching Jobs Today´s last [type] ..Open Position for English Teacher in New Mexico

By: John

John — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:30:11 +0000

Lewin’s projection system only applies to QBs taken in the first two rounds of the draft. This makes the scout’s role very important as they effectively choose who is evaluated by this system.

Therefore if a guy didn’t start in college alot(Brady, warner) or was injured, then Lewin’s system does not apply.

I think the thing missed in this article in both cases is situation. Did Harrington really ever have a chance at Detroit? How can we compare him and other top picks who were not really in the same situation.

From a teaching point of view, the logistical problems are what get me. Seems like something that should be given a shot though.

By: fingers

fingers — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:09:49 +0000

I read most of the article mentioned. I skipped all the quarterback stuff because I knew where he was going with it and I really wanted to see what he had to say about education and teaching. One of the things that I think that it fails to mention is what I have noticed….those teachers who voluntarily go to professional development, from an early start (first three years) are much more likely to be the better teachers. Those who avoid PD, even on the mandatory meeting level, tend to be those least likely to succeed teachers. There are only a few exceptions. But this is my reality.

By: Richard Vallee

Richard Vallee — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:08:04 +0000

About your first point of rebuttal, do note that college QBs will have played for several years at this point, making it possible to quantify their performance.

This is exactly Gladwell’s point. Teachers are expected to complete a degree in education and become teachers. Their ability to teach is never evaluated, just their ability to complete their degrees.

The ideal way would certainly be a mix of both apprenticeship and classroom teaching. Classroom teaching will give them the knowledge while apprenticeship will allow to quantify their natural talent in communicating with students. Something that is completely missing currently.

I have had so many terrible teachers that I can only completely agree with his conclusion.

By: David Sullivan

David Sullivan — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:23:39 +0000

When I was Young and in Grade School. The Carrot and Stick was all the rage If you messed up the Principal Paddled you and when you got home you caught it again..

By: ashok

ashok — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:21:42 +0000

@ David: Sort of – education can never completely leave the metaphor of war (“we’re conquering ignorance”) behind. When I’m through with Plato’s “Laws” I’ll have more to say on this topic.

Right now, the major issue is that “value” isn’t on the table, not at all. I don’t know how a serious discussion about education can start from discipline/method alone.

By: David Sullivan

David Sullivan — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:06:08 +0000

The Object of Education is to better yourself. It is a Competition as well as a warm fuzzy feeling that comes from being the best. A good teacher in any field Leads. and sets the agenda,places benchmarks for advancement, there does seem to be parallels between a good academic, and a quarterback as well as a Drill instructor