Interesting new blog, Head Rush (courtesy of Hugh), on teaching/learning/marketing, and this post says it all about traditional teaching methods. And just to beat a dead horse some more, think about how the traditional school structures are built around the need for stability and predictability of the SJ (sensory, closure oriented) personality types that I mentioned here. In particular, the ESTJ (add extroversion and logicality) sub-types are described thus by Keirsey:
"Supervisor Guardians (ESTJs) are squarely on the side of rules and procedures, and they can be quite serious about seeing to it that others toe the mark—or else face the consequences. They do not hesitate to give their stamp of approval, nor do they withhold their directions or suggestions for improvement. Like seasoned, stalwart umpires, Supervisors will set their jaw and make the call on anyone who steps up to bat. They even feel obligated to do so, and they’re sometimes surprised when others don’t seem grateful for being set straight.
...Like all the Guardians, Supervisors worry a good deal about society falling apart, morality decaying, standards being undermined, traditions being lost, and they do all they can to preserve and to extend the institutions that embody social order. Supervisors are so in tune with the established institutions and ways of behaving within those institutions, that they have a hard time understanding those who might wish to abandon or radically change them. "
Sound like anyone you know or might have bumped into lately?
Note that this is a deep seated personality need of theirs, and not something they can control. Kinda like being gay, so they shouldn't be judged for it. Like most personality types they don't realize that everybody else isn't exactly like them. Or even if they do realize it, they often attribute the difference to some fundamental flaw in other people.
On the plus side there's this:
"Supervisors are gregarious and civic-minded, and are usually key players of their community."
...and other supervisory goodness. We should value that, but don't underestimate their attraction to the status quo and their tenacity in holding onto it. And don't forget they outnumber the rest of us.
