Awwwh, chris1234, you know just what to say to make my day!
Mine too! It's wonderful to have a place to revel in our nerdiness.
I've read that various groups of primates are all pretty good at active learning, but there are real differences in the ability to notice what needs to be taught to an individual learner, and provide it. Something to do with really being able to appreciate the mind of another creature really being different. Apparently that is a much higher level function.
This also ties into the achievement gap, NCLB and getting high quality teachers into underperforming schools. I also thought about the interesting, level-appropriate, and enriching atmosphere in terms of the differences between the aims of NCLB and what's happening in the push for higher scores at some schools.
Tearing myself away to go pack for a weekend trip...
