|
“To Encourage Intelligent Study and Hard
Work”
D.B. McCowan, P.Eng.
Former Chair (2010-12), Professional Engineers Ontario Education Committee
Tech Design and Math Teacher, SATEC, 2006-2019
Now Retired
It would
be nice if we had the original letter that my great-grandfather sent to
Scarborough Collegiate (now R.H. King Academy) in 1930 or ‘31 in which “he
established a scholarship in our school to encourage intelligent study and hard
work”. Robert McCowan specified that the new prize was
“for the highest aggregate in Upper School Science and Mathematics”.
I wonder what he might have had in mind regarding “intelligent study and hard
work”. Indeed,
what was really more important in his opinion – “intelligent study” or
“hard work” or “the highest aggregate”, that is, “mark” or
“grade”? Did he have any notions or opinions on just how to translate
intelligent study and hard work into that quantified or measured “mark”?
Needless to say, the education system has been grappling with these fundamental
questions (and many others) for many decades. I cannot pretend to have all of
the best answers, but I’m satisfied that I have made a positive difference for
many students in my dozen years of teaching high school at SATEC@W.A. Porter
Collegiate Institute -- the Scarborough Academy for Technological, Environmental
and Computer education.
By the
way, Robert McCowan (1855-1931), son of a farmer and left
mother-less at age 9, probably only had an elementary school education. But he
certainly knew the value of getting a good education.
I am proud of what I have accomplished at SATEC@W.A. Porter CI in problem-based STEM learning (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math).
Students under my guidance have spoken at five Professional Engineers Ontario Engineering Education Conferences.
D. B. McCowan, 2018
Mr.
McCowan’s Classroom Mission Statement
Using
the Ontario Curriculum, my job is to guide you to become a better thinker, a
better learner, a better technical communicator and a better problem-solver.
Together, our job here today – and every day -- is to get you just a little
bit closer to your own career goal.
D.
B. McCowan, P.Eng., OCT
McCowan’s
Twelve Laws of Learning (and a few bonus laws)
You
show me learning. I show you marks.
D.B. McCowan
You
already know much more than you think you know.
D.B. McCowan
We’re
not here to put in time. We’re
here to get something accomplished.
W.D. McCowan
I
will not manage your time for you.
D.B. McCowan
This
course is all about you and your personal goals.
D.B. McCowan
If
you study one profession with a critical mind, you’ll learn about many other
professions. Make your own connections.
D.B. McCowan
What’s
your goal today?
D.B. McCowan
Don’t
just be a driver. Be an operator.
W.D. McCowan
I
am a much better learner now than I have ever been.
D.B. McCowan
You
don’t have to do anything in this course. But if you don’t do the assigned
work, will you pass the exam?
D.B. McCowan
Learning
is not about memorizing. Dig deeper to first appreciate new knowledge in the
context of your personal goals. Understanding will come if…
D.B. McCowan
If
you can’t skate, you can’t play hockey.
W.D. McCowan
Don’t
come to me with a problem unless you already have at least part of the solution.
D.B. McCowan
Your
“mark” represents how someone else feels about YOUR learning. Huh?
D.B. McCowan
The
serious learning happens when you compose a thoughtful personal Reflection.
D.B. McCowan
Previous
Next
|