October 30: Lucas Watzenrode

Lukasz Watzenrode

On this date in 1447, Lucas Watzenrode was born. A nobleman from Weizenrodau in Poland, he studied theology at universities in Krakow, Cologne, and Bolona, became a priest and then bishop under Pope Innocent VIII, and in a political compromise between the King of Poland and the Pope, became Prince-Bishop of Warmia, an autonomous Bishop.… Continue reading October 30: Lucas Watzenrode

Lifelong Learning: Another Take

St. Dominic, Fra Angelico, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In his October 22nd blog article, “Lifelong Learning”, Bruce McMenomy asked: “What does real lifelong learning look like when no one else is looking?” In answer he wrote: “I would say that the chief identifying characteristic is probably humility, a posture of respect for and submission to the truth. Genuine lifelong learning prioritizes the truth… Continue reading Lifelong Learning: Another Take

Thinking Outside the Cell

Transmission electron microscope section of two mammalian mitochondria. Wikipedia Commons public domain.

One of the greatest difficulties I have as a teacher is getting a student to ask questions. In the modern classroom, asking questions means admitting ignorance, and somehow, despite the fact that the student is there to learn something he presumably doesn’t already know, not knowing has become a character or moral failing. Some students… Continue reading Thinking Outside the Cell