Research Based Methods

So I was reading an article today that made me question what I thought earlier about research based teaching methods.

I have to remember that a lot of the outcomes of these research studies are predetermined before the research even begins. AND.. though they may be proving that these seemingly non-inquisitive strategies work to help students learn, the more important question to ask is "How do they define learning?" Is learning the ability to regurgitate facts and dates for the state exam, or does their definition of learning include the stimulation of high order thinking?

So maybe Ricky was right in questioning the system. I'm about at that point as well. The fellows program may teach me, with their research proven strategies, how to impart information to students, but the question of what is actually worth knowing or what skills are actually necessary to survive in today's modern world, are questions too large and way beyond me at this point.

I can speculate as to what is really worth knowing. It might be a healthy ongoing dialogue to have with myself as I go through this process of becoming... something...