The great modern art debate

Is modern art art? Is modern art good art? So many questions are asked about modern art these days - as it's such a emotive issue that everyone has a position on.

This is a great breakdown to the background arguments around the great modern art debates. Check them out!

Hilarious Monty Python Sketch

I came across this Monty Python argument sketch which is fricking hilarious + really spot on when it comes to defining what an argument is!
Gets me every time I watch it!
Watch the Monty Python sketch here!

What is an argument?

I've always been interested in arguing and debate. So the question of what is an argument - i.e. what's the definition of an argument is a question I find fascinating.
I did philosophy at university - so studied formal logic and the like - however we didn't really talk about defining arguments .
Anyway, I'm on a hunt for the real definition - and hopefully should be able to reveal it soon!

Debate online

I've always been interested in debate - and so of the last few years have been developing something called "aMap" - which is short for argument map - and is a form of debate.

We launched aMap last year - and since it's really started to take off - especially as in the US, middle school debates are a big them and so our aMap software is pocket argument guides are proving really popular . ..

If you're interested check them out at the aMap website, and buy pocket arguments here!

Critical thinking worksheets - YAWN!

Critical thinking worksheets are pretty useful if you're a teacher. If found this critical thinking worksheet particularly interesting and useful as it's FREE and made by the nice people at aMap - the guys who specialise in argument mapping and debate and critical thinking. All round clever guys!

Pumpkin-arama

Me and Catherine (well Catherine mostly) made a scary pumpkin for outside our house! Check it out (it's designed to scare off burglars!)

(Bad) customer service-tastic

As I think I've mentioned a couple of times, I've been helping my Dad out with his alarm company website - and one of the things I've been helping him spot is posts about how bad ADT customer service is. Check out this example!

ADT UK customer complaint!

Check out this fabulously crazy UK ADT customer complaint. It's bonkers to see how bad ADT's customer service is. Ho hum!

Critical thinking teacher's resources

Critical thinking is an interesting subject.

So I've been developing a series of critical thinking teaching resources to help A-level (and other) teachers. In particular it's a developing arguments teacher's pack.

I've also developed up a guide to Aristotle's Rhetoric - to help newbie's understand the basics around Aristotle.

Tips on Critical thinking

So I wrote this piece the other day on critical thinking, detailing what it is, why it's relevant and why it's useful.

I still can't believe you can take a whole A-level in critical thinking, as frankly it's a bit of a thin subject - however, I do think it's incredibly important, and of course argument mapping and argument maps can really help visualise your thoughts.