One of the things that interested me in the study of culture by use of evolutionary models, was the concept of “niche construction”. I still think this concept offers possibilities to imagine how education should be done. After having read both Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett on meme theory, I wasn’t convinced that memes could fully explain…
Tag: education
Handy: checklist of common misconceptions about evolution in both popular media and school textbooks
This is an excellent paper, moreover, a much needed paper. Not only does it give a concise introduction to the main issues regarding the science of evolution, it also offers a balanced, non-conflictual perspective on the relation between science and religion. Just one quote: “All science is non-theistic, by which is meant that it does…
Cooperation Against Racism
– Tom Uytterhoeven – Although I am not a scientist, I think this is a great experiment. It shows us what mechanisms lie beneath ugly features of human social living, like racism and gender discrimination. Moreover, it shows us how to decrease the prevalence of these features, at least in the case of racism. Let…
Interview With Judith Rich Harris (The Nurture Assumption)
– Tom Uytterhoeven – I noticed this interview with Judith Rich Harris, who wrote The Nurture Assumption. Without endorsing her book as the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (here's a balanced review), I must admit I liked the book when I read it a few years ago (in the Dutch edition). More than…
Children ’too embarrassed to read in front of friends’ – Telegraph
See on Scoop.it – Cultural evolution The number of children picking up books in their spare time has dropped dramatically amid claims youngsters increasingly see reading as “embarrassing”, according to research. Tom Uytterhoeven’s insight: Earlier I posted an article on the effects of literature. If you read that, before turning to this research about declining…
Bill Nye: Teaching Evolution? Think Thriller.
See on Scoop.it – Cultural evolution Bill Nye says the best way to teach evolution is to “just let your passion come through.” After all, it is a hard thing to find a kid who doesn’t love dinosa… Tom Uytterhoeven’s insight: Excellent short video on evolution, touches at application evolutionary theory on culture towards the…
Darwin’s iPhone: The Politics and Rhetoric of Neuroscience, Evolutionary Psychology, and Online Education
See on Scoop.it – Cultural evolution In a recent speech, John Tooby, one of the founders of evolutionary psychology, compared the human brain to an iPhone full of different apps. (Huffingtonpost! Tom Uytterhoeven’s insight: I’m not sure what to think of this article. It starts of with some critical remarks on evolutionary psychology and cognitive…
Science Made Easy, and a Challenge for Theologians
This is an excellent idea: take a complex scientific concept and break it down using only the 1000 most common words in English. Read more on Mental Floss, see the Tumblr Blog where all efforts get their place in the virtual library. Most examples are from science (hence the title of the blog, of course)….
Technology And Education, Let The Evolution BEGIN [Infographic]
See on Scoop.it – Cultural evolution As a person that has taught in a technology forum, I have a love for education and the integration of technology in this field. Additionally as a parent, I feel as if education MUST change… Tom Uytterhoeven’s insight: If you’re interested in cultural evolution, you should be interested…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY – Turkey’s science state council halts publication of evolution books
See on Scoop.it – Cultural evolution The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) has put… Tom Uytterhoeven’s insight: A very regretable choice… I think it’s in religion’s best interest to engage in dialogue with science. There’s no other way if you truly believe that God created all being: you need to understand His…