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Here are some ways to write effective copy without pulling out your hair in the process.

Every action or click is a sales pitch to move to the next element

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Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.

I read a lot about the “new paradigm” that is occuring in education. There is a lot for us teachers and particularly those in leadership positions to think about. I really do hear some things repeated over and over again – that I just won’t buy into. I don’t believe the hype. These ideas seem so obvious and so clear that to me, they must be a lie. Reality is crooked and operates on her own principles – not the nice, clean kitchen cupboards we like to stack away our beliefs in. So in brief and to maybe get others thinking a little “outside the box” – here are 3 things that are being hyped in the educational world that I disagree with completely. (and a joke for each that I hope will support my argument or if not, at least give you a chuckle)

1. What is your most obsessive thought? 2. Where is your favorite place in the world, and why? 3. What's the one thing your parents don't understand about you? 4. What have you learned that nobody taught you? 5. What is your earliest, most vivid memory? 6. If you have experienced a moment of sudden faith or loss of faith, what prompted it? 7. If you could take back one thing you have done, what would it be? 8. What is your greatest talent or accomplishment? 9. What is the most joyful moment you have experienced? 10. What is the most painful moment you have experienced? 11. What question would you ask God? 12. Which super power would you choose – and what would you do with it? 13. If you could make one rule about life, what would it be? 14. How would you define time? 15. What is it about some people that makes you immediately like - or dislike - them? 16. If you could be an animal, what animal would you be? 17. If you could have a conversation with a historical figure, who would it be? 18. If you could go back in time, where would you go? What would you do? 19. What do you know, that no one else knows? 20. If you had an extra hour in each day, what would you do with it?

my intention in teaching English is far more than mastery of grammar and vocabulary. I want my students to be equipped to comprehend and make sense of the world around them. Part of comprehending is to understand, but another important part is to make something known and part of one's self.

To inspire discussions or writing for English learning students, I have found open-ended questions to be a good place to start. I have found that a little introductory discussion can help a student with a context and a framework to continue developing... ...his or her own thoughts.

“So, how do you manage to stay fresh in this business after all these years?” he wanted to know. “I get out of the way,” was the honest answer, explaining that the wisest thing anyone my age could do was to hire smart young people, load them up with responsibility, point them in the right direction and hover in the background until someone needs you.

He, too, was stunned, assuming that no one would do that out of a need for control, or a fear of becoming irrelevant, or a concern that everyone else would get the credit.

I find that the smartest, most inspiring people I work with tend to be the youngest. They move seamlessly from one medium to another. They have the courage to try new things.  They’re so familiar with technology and its potential that nothing seems impossible.