Harvey Craft
I am a retired educator. Now I spend my time in educational research, consulting, and freelance writing. I am NBPTS certified in Adolescent Science and have taught grades six through twelve. Addtionally, I have been an assistant principal, principal, and district office employee.
I am a participant in nature. I enjoy long bicycle rides and heavy duty gardening. I am in love with learning, and my reading menu is diverse-- anything about science, American history, photography, gardening, physical fitness, creative writing, and current events. I am working on a novel, but the pace is slow.
I maintain three education blogs:
http://teachingdoneright.blogspot.com/. The blog is named "Dissenting Opinions," because its purpose is to identify and remove or improve bad educational practices.
http://rightjustbecause.blogspot.com/ is dedicated to encouraging teachers to teach students to do right without rewards.
http://teachingreal.blogspot.com/ overlaps somewhat with the first two, but contains links to about 125 articles I've written for teachers..
Many of my friends and former co-workers view me as an iconoclast, and I suppose I am. It is a chance one takes when one is vocal. It is a title I carry proudly. My wealth is my family, friends, and the many students with whom I continue to maintain contact.
Latest Articles
|
Motivating Apathetic and At-Risk Students
Few issues are as important to teachers as motivating students. Lots of techniques are tried, but often fail. Knowing students is the key to motivation.
Feb 8, 2012
- Harvey Craft
|
|
Keystone XL Pipeline Might Endanger the Ogallala Aquifer
The Ogallala Aquifer is one of the world's largest sources of subterranean water. It may face danger of pollution from the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.
Feb 1, 2012
- Harvey Craft
|
|
Should Teachers Grade Student Effort?
Many teachers and students believe that effort should be considered when grading. However, effort is not well-defined or consistently applied.
Jan 29, 2012
- Harvey Craft
|
|
President Obama Pushes Increased Use of Natural Gas
President Obama has approved natural gas as a path to energy independence. The U.S. is thought to have a 100 year supply of natural gas. What happens next?
Jan 24, 2012
- Harvey Craft
|
|
The Keystone XL Transamerica Pipeline Proposal
The Keystone XL pipeline has already become a hot topic. President Obama has nixed the project for now. Facts are hard to find in the haystack of details.
Jan 21, 2012
- Harvey Craft
|
|
The Niobrara Shale Formation may be the Next Bakken
Most people associate Colorado with natural beauty and snow-skiing. The search for energy in the Niobrara shale formation is changing the Colorado picture.
Jan 12, 2012
- Harvey Craft
|
|
Has the Large Hadron Collider found the Higgs Boson?
The Standard Model of particle physics has a tiny missing link called the Higgs boson. Its discovery would provide the explanation for the existence of mass
Jan 11, 2012
- Harvey Craft
|
|
Principals Should Evaluate Teachers' Assessments
Virtually all teachers are observed, but watching teachers teach is not enough. Principals should know how teachers are assessing and grading students.
Jan 10, 2012
- Harvey Craft
|
|
Extrinsic Rewards, Student Motivation, and Character Development
Rewards have become a major component of the classroom and schools generally. Are rewards the best way to improve behavior and grades?
Dec 15, 2011
- Harvey Craft
|
|
A Suggested Method for Calculating Student Grades
One of the most important decisions a teacher can make is how to determine a student's grade. Often grading systems are complex and unfair.
Dec 13, 2011
- Harvey Craft
|
