My wife heard a good joke yesterday: A new teacher took over a grade school class in mid-semester. The previous teacher who had been teaching for many years was lacking enthusiasm and wasn't able to stimulate a good learning environment. In order to try and motivate the students the new teacher decided to apply some of her psychology training to get the students to self-identify their problem. Teacher: Good morning Class. Today were going to try something different so we're going to have a discussion. This will give you a chance to do some talking in class. To keep us focused I'm going to give you a topic. Could anybody tell me what the terms "ignorance" and "apathy" mean? Class: [An ocean of blank looks, some students looking out the window, some at the floor.] The new teacher decides to ask one of the more outspoken students in the class hoping to stimulate some conversation. Teacher: Cindy, could you please define and contrast the terms "ignorance" and "apathy". Cindy [grumbling under her breath]: Who knows. Who cares. greg
