A list-serv is an interesting thing.  I have created several and belong 
to several.  Unfortunately, in order for a list-serv to be successful, 
you need to have people who have enough time to spend posting to 
list-servs and you need to have people who are arrogant enough to think 
that what they have to say is valuable for consideration.  English, it 
seems, is subjective enough that even those extraordinarily arrogant are 
not overly confident about their positions and so become defensive.  And 
the mood is decidedly negative.

I joined this list a couple of years ago upon the advice of a former 
professor.  And I enjoy reading the posts.  But because of what you 
mention, I did start another list.  This list was directed at high 
school English teachers in North Dakota.  But, high school English 
teachers tend to lack both of the above-mentioned criteria to make a 
list successful.  So, while the mood is never negative, I don't think 
there's been a post since last April. 

If anybody would like to join my list, I would be glad to add you.  But, 
as I said, it has been unsuccessful and will probably remain so until we 
get a large quantity of people who have the above attributes.  And then, 
I suppose, it would end up the same type of list as this.  Just send me 
an e-mail... [log in to unmask]

Computer Science, though...  those are nice list servs.

Gretchen Lee wrote:
> In a message dated 9/22/2007 11:09:54 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, 
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
>     Failing this, perhaps he could provide anecdotal evidence derived
>     from his own teaching.   However, if he chooses to do so, may I
>     suggest that he will need to provide a detailed account including:
>      
>      a) what the grammatical problem is;
>     b) which examplars he gave and how he presented them;
>     c) how many of the students reached the correct generalisation
>     without direct help.
>     d)  how many failed to do so.
>
> *Hi,*
> ** 
> *I'm a little puzzled.  For years I have been a member of this list.  
> I have posted pleas for curricula, observations of my students, ideas 
> that I have tested in my classroom, and responses to others' posts.  
> Even when people have disagreed with me, I have always felt welcome 
> and free to kick around my middle school experience, even knowing that 
> most of you are secondary and post-secondary.*
> ** 
> *Has the tenor of the list changed so that I have to conduct field 
> tests before engaging in a discussion?  It seems that lately, no one 
> can make a teaching suggestion without being challenged to write a 
> paper, citing the literature and the psychometric data analysis behind 
> it.*
> ** 
> *Is there still room on the list for the informal discussion of 
> grammar teaching?  If not, can anyone suggest another list?  From the 
> onslaught of off-list mail I got over my attempts to capture the 
> attention of middle schoolers in a grammar class, there at least  a 
> few people who want to discuss ideas in a less . . . restrictive manner.*
> ** 
> *~Gretchen*
>
>
>
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-- 
James Bear
Montpelier Public School
www.mrbearspageoffun.com
701-489-3348

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