My Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Features
Two of the best pieces I’ve had published appeared as full page features in Sunday editions of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The first article highlights how Harry Houdini became the 1st international superstar and specifically details some of his appearances in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Amazing to imagine him leaping into one of the Three Rivers or hanging from skyscrapers in a straight jacket.
The more recent feature is all about using pop culture in education to better connect with students of all levels and disciplines.
Click on the links to check them out. I hope you enjoy reading them.
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Life. Culture. Education.
Life as Pop Culture Professor Clay Morgan
In The Matrix, Morpheus tells Neo he can take the blue pill and go on believing whatever he wants to believe. Or he can take the red pill to stay in Wonderland and find out how deep the rabbit hole goes.
This is a red pill type site that provides information in an entertaining way. It’s about clear thinking and good writing. It’s about finding meaning amidst the absurd. It’s about humor and truth.
I’m a writer / speaker who teaches history and political courses at a couple of local colleges. Where is local, you say? Well, that would be Wonderland of course.
On topics ranging from pop culture to the meaning of life, my brain’s always poppin’. Take the red pill and unplug.
I’ll have to come back to read them, but congratulations on the fine accomplishment!
Thanks Hippie.
Congrats!
Hey Clay – Nice article on edutainment. My dad was a teacher, and was one of the good ones. He taught math, and constantly used baseball analogies of batting averages to field geometry in making points (that was when baseball was king). I’ll bet you got some really bad comments from people about how you are dumbing down the education system. What they don’t realize is that if you don’t connect you can’t teach. Nice job.
Thanks a lot Kerry. I know those students studying baseball averages for your dad were excited about the numbers, way more so than if they had been handed a sheet of figures. I did expect a lot more negative response but have been pleasantly surprised so far. I’m even getting opportunities to write and speak because of the Pop Teacher idea. Thanks for reading.
Seriously, I can post the article to MySpace but I can’t tweet it? Post-Gazette needs to get with the times! Excellent article, btw.
Well, thank ya kindly Lee! I just looked at that and you’re right about no visible Twitter button. That’s whack.
Congrats, Clay…really enjoyed the Houdini piece!
Wendy
I’m reading a mystery novel right now about Houdini, so, I’ll have to check that piece out.
Secondly, I read the edutainment piece and nodded along. I don’t really realize I’m doing it, either, but my students respond positively and we show a ton of clips in class. Interpersonal communication would be pretty dull without movies, TV, music, restaurants, ads, viral videos and other examples I use.
Great stuff
Cool Kristin. We’ve gotta connect more. I don’t bump into too many fellow Pop Teachers so easily!. Thanks for reading. And Houdini is fascinating. What book are you reading?
it’s called The Last Illusion – about his New York police headquarters handcuff challenge and more. It’s just a fictional work, but I’ve liked other things the author has written.
you’ve got a new reader, for sure
Thanks Kristin. Great to hear!
Very nice, Clay!
Thanks Tiff!
I read the article in the Gazette–interesting take on a growing problem. Though many of the problems that face our kids today live right in the house with them, I’d say we do have problems in the educational system, too. For one, thing, it’s too monolithic, but that’s another discussion.
Using pop culture to connect to kids? Years ago, I taught swimming. Not impressive at all. But there was a principle that my instructor, who was a high school teacher, taught us: teach from the known to the related unknown. In the pool, we started with breathing. In the classroom, you start with TV. We don’t have TV in our house, so you’d have to start with graphic novels, but the idea is the same.
Glad to see a real teacher stretching out the way you do.
I really appreciate you reading the article and leaving a thoughtful reply. Connecting has to happen before anything is most effectively communicated. Lots of ways that can happen but we should always be thinking.
Outstanding reads on both topics!!! Congratulations on some “legitimate” writing
Tweeted!
Thanks a lot! I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. Very encouraging.
Hey, Clay! I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! Check it out: The Versatile Blogger Award
Thanks Amanda
Hi, I have just come across your blog, out of the blogosphere, and as well as being slightly alarmed i am intrigued.. looks to me like you are having heaps of fun! awesome c
Thanks for that! Slightly alarmed is probably a common enough response
I’d love to hear more about that.
I’ve given you the Versatile Blogger Award, I know this is a familiar feeling for you but you are getting it again! http://reinrantnrave.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/versatile-blogger-award-giddy-and-full-of-gratitude/
Thanks for thinking of me
Really really good – as a teacher and a parent this was good on so many levels. I have encountered more than my fair share of teachers who are stagnant and sedentary in their style and they are just spinning their wheels and don’t know why…these kids are moving through information at lightning speeds and lecturing style teaching isn’t cutting it for them anymore. I am sure you have read this since it has been around awhile, but I go back to it often when discussing this very thing:
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/prensky%20-%20digital%20natives,%20digital%20immigrants%20-%20part1.pdf