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I want to know how teaching evolved, as much as we (anthropologists/historians) know. What I've found on the internet seems to imply that schools didn't exist before 17th (?) Century and teachers in those had no training, just excellent exam results (like 14 year old Laura in Little House on the Prairie, c 1880s). [more inside]
posted by b33j on May 24, 2019 - 13 answers

My favorite study website removed its note-taking feature. I want to find another virtual backpack service with as many options as studyblue used to have. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by mekko on May 11, 2012 - 5 answers

When should I let my child read Harry Potter and Diary of a Wimpy Kid?? [more inside]
posted by lynnie-the-pooh on Dec 12, 2011 - 60 answers

I am woefully (and willfully I guess) ignorant. What's the best way to remedy this? [more inside]
posted by Small Pockets on Aug 8, 2010 - 20 answers

What's a good way to expand one's vocabulary? [more inside]
posted by GlassHeart on Jul 16, 2010 - 23 answers

Name a movie (fictional, so no documentaries or historical retellings) that gave you some factual insight into the world. [more inside]
posted by soelo on May 21, 2010 - 24 answers

I have always been horrible at math, but somehow a great programmer. I have found that writing a computer program that demonstrates a certain mathematical concept enables me to better understand the concept. I'm a psych major and I brought this up once in the research lab I've been working in. My prof said he recalls that someone did research and/or created a system in which a student writes a computer program that is pertinent to a certain mathematical concept and upon completion is given the regular math problem (as it would appear in a math class). This enables the student to better understand the math problem, solve, and learn math. Has anyone heard of this or anything similar? A learning system such as this would be a blessing to my education. Thanks.
posted by fightoplankton on Apr 13, 2009 - 15 answers

What's the best way to learn Dreamweaver at home? [more inside]
posted by clh on Feb 13, 2008 - 26 answers

I'm over 30 and probably know as much or less about history, politics/ gov, and current events as my 7 year old niece. Now, I want to be aware and don't know where to begin. I've tried just "merging in" but the references, terms, and names are lost on me. I need a starting point that will give me a framework or bird's eye view to start from and build on. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 24, 2005 - 27 answers

I'd like to learn some white hat/grey hat hacker (as in cracker) skills. I'm interested in focusing on Windows systems and possibly web mail, as I think knowledge in these areas would probably be the most marketable. What's a good resource to pick up the basics? What are some good websites to follow the discovery and status of vulnerabilities?
posted by namespan on Aug 30, 2004 - 6 answers

What are the academic options for a self-taught graphic designer who wants to become more "cross-trained" in the field? [more inside]
posted by dhoyt on Jun 1, 2004 - 8 answers