Hi
The following is meant constructively, so I hope this comes
across that way.
On Thu, 21 Oct 1999, Bill Southerly wrote:
> Rick et al.,
> Simply put, I am not going to get into a long discussion of how
> I run TIPS. I have previously shared my rationale whenever I
> decided to "experiment" with changes. Some of you (most
> notably Rick) believe it was a mistake and would like me to
> return it to its previous format, presently I don't view it as
> a mistake, thus, I view the "experiment" as successful and
> ongoing.
The tone of this paragraph communicates to me that Bill views
TIPS as his operation. Although technically true, see below ...
> Frostburg State is beginning a process that most likely will
> get rid of the VAX equipment and software that TIPS runs on
> within the next year. When this happens, either TIPS will
> cease to exist or if Frostburg State purchases appropriate
> software (the software that has always run TIPS has been
> freeware available to anyone who downloaded it, of course you
> had to have the hardware) then what format TIPS takes may
> change depending on what options are available with the
> software.
The tone of this communicates to me that members of TIPS must
depend on the decisions of Frostburg State with respect to the
form of this list. Although technically true, see below ...
> Bottom line, whenever this issue is recycled, only a small
> percentage of TIPSters respond either way. Generally, this has
> been my experience not only on TIPS but on lists I am just a
> member. I have come to believe that most people don't care how
> we set this option, in fact, I would venture that I would get
> more response on this issue if I asked how many would prefer
> that we just don't discuss this issue and return to a
> discussion of teaching.
It is dangerous to interpret silence on this or any other issue
as agreement or indifference. People may not respond because
they have learned that saying something is not going to change
things (years of university dealings with administrators can
foster this behaviour) or (more importantly, I suspect) they do
not want to aggravate you because they appreciate your efforts on
this list (years of university dealings with colleagues can
foster this behaviour). With respect to the last statement,
discussion of this list is, for me, a discussion of teaching. I
view it as a kind of metacognition or self-regulatory process
(you know ... those higher level cognitive skills we are trying
to inculcate in students).
You are now at the "see below" references above. Should the
existence and operation of TIPS, a very important resource to
many of us, depend on a single individual and a single
institution? Is there any way that we can broaden the base for
the list, without compromising (in my view) its quality and
openness? One small step might be to have some kind of Virtual
Advisory Board, perhaps elected if we could work out the
mechanics, that would contribute advice and/or vote on issues
such as this. Or perhaps some of the responsibilities could be
shared. Perhaps there could be an associate listowner to deal
with some issues (e.g., the MS Associate to deal with postings by
a certain person ... this is a joke ... teaching tip: sometimes
you have to explain to the class that something is meant as a
joke).
Perhaps we could come up with other suggestions. I know that
Bill received some support for awhile from APA, but maybe a more
formal group could actually get on-going support from APA, APS,
CPA, or multiple organizations? Such support could lessen our
dependence on the sometimes-strained goodwill of a single person
or institution.
I am certain that so many of us appreciate deeply the value of
TIPS that it may be worth examining how we can best ensure its
continued operation and, perhaps at the same time, relieve some
of the pressure on Bill.
Best wishes
Jim
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James M. Clark (204) 786-9757
Department of Psychology (204) 774-4134 Fax
University of Winnipeg 4L05D
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
CANADA http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/~clark
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