My favorite "boy" is 103 year old Langdon Divers, who writes about growing up 90 years ago.
"When I was in high school, one of the teachers excused me every time there was a good show at the Miller Theater in Milwaukee, which was about 65 miles away.
I rode the train to Milwaukee.
I told my teacher I would study the lesson both ways, if he would let me go.
Next day, I always knew the lesson better than all the other kids."
(Editor's notes:
1. 90 years ago you could take a train, and then return back home the same day/night
2. The lesson is not only that one can learn on the train, but that 'attendance' does not always equal learning, and even boys can learn on their own.)
Lesson #2 goes back to "outcomes" versus "inputs." So often we are judged on what we put into things (like showing up for class). But really, what is more important - attending a lecture or actually learning?
Posted by: Suzanne Kart | October 28, 2005 at 09:51 PM