[Oz-gifted] Re: oz-gifted Digest, Anna

[Deidree McMaster]

> Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2005 09:47:21 +1000
> From: "Anna V" <annaged at kjsl.com>
>
> perhaps you might want to consider leaving your list stuff on your
> list?  Sending us little soundbites is pretty useless -- are you on
> the lookout for members?  Perhaps if you send details of how to
> sub to your list, people could go there and actually debate the
> issues?

It's a list open only to members of Mensa Australia: so I can't open 
the list to others.  Unfortunately, probably because of the digest 
format, it's hard to respond precisely to each oz-gifted email.
I'm sorry if it's confused you.  We often have discussions about how so 
many of us gifted kids were ignored or sidelined at school.
Of course, there are also some of us who weren't, and who can't 
understand: also some who went to school in other countries.  Apart 
from that, I noticed that my stepson (who later qualified for Mensa; 
ie, passed in the top two percentile) was fiercely bullied at school:  
but it was HIS lateral thinking that stopped the worst of it: he 
invited the bully to come home with him and play computer games!  No 
more flack from that quarter!


Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 9:47 AM
Subject: Re: [Oz-gifted] Re: RE: Ability grouping (Kristy)

>> I would certainly hate to teach an entire class of brutish louts!
>> Might as well call 'em second-class citizens and send them to the
>> mines right now?
>
> I find this comment in particular to be deeply offensive.

I can understand that!  However, this was from one of our more 
provocative members who was pushing the point that all ages should be 
taught together: that to take all the gifted out (the top 10-15%) would 
perhaps leave 'brutish louts': however, I don't think he meant it, but 
was trying to make a dramatic point in favour of his argument.

> I fail to
> see the absolute link between low IQ and brutish louts.  I do some
> volunteer work with children with autism and low IQ and I can say
> that they are not automatically brutish louts.

Exactly!   However, I don't think the man in question has had such 
advantages.

>> I re-iterate my opinion that age grouping with scope for
>> extra-curricular activity as appropriate makes for the happiest
>> outcome.
>
> I reiterate my opinion that some cites for this kind of opinion would
> be nice.

An opinion surely doesn't need cites:  it's only his opinion?

> expecting to be ignored again

I'm sorry if I ever ignored you, Anna: like Tony, I have some 
disabilities, and can't always keep up.  And can't afford Dragon 
Naturally Speaking!  I'm curious as to why it wouldn't work so well on 
a laptop:  I have a secondhand Titanium powerbook:  do you know of any 
specific reasons why it wouldn't work, if I was to ever be in a 
position to afford it?

A whole discussion is now taking place about university standards:  
perhaps I'll ask (again) if anyone on our list wants to be involved in 
the Oz-gifted list.

Deidree McMaster
Administrator of Aus Mensa's Gifted Student's Fund/AW Bull Bequest.