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| Focal Window Frame. Artwork Image by Kathy Valunas |
What a week and what made it even better was the time spent reading the Art of Possibility! As educators, many of the “oldies-but-goodies” or those trained in the old methods of the teacher being in total control, some teachers often find themselves in a rut. They are so accustomed to lecturing and staying inside their comfortable old boxes that they have a hard time even thinking about other possibilities. What was once passion has turned into drudgery and working for the paycheck, and not being able to even consider trying something new, fun, and exciting. I loved reading Ben’s words of wisdom and watching his videos that depicted him spreading his passion to others. His enthusiasm was most definitely contagious and students or the audience couldn’t help but have fun and “catch” the passion to use in their own lives. When I read, “…circumstances that seem to block us in our daily lives… based on assumptions… Draw a different frame around the same set of circumstances and new pathways come into view….” (2000) I was reminded of occasions when I would work with design students to overcome their creative blocks. I would have them make small ‘window-frames’ (1” x 1”) to place on top of magazine pictures or other images. By changing the view of images or providing a small focus area, students would begin to see new ideas and other possibilities. It is the same for teachers or participants in training. If you cause them to change their focus and ‘zoom-in’ on a smaller area to concentrate on and them give them reflective pathways to follow, they are more encouraged to explore or take ‘sight-seeing’ excursions on their own when they discover new things along the way. So it is not just the final destination that can keep us engaged or motivated to complete a task, but it can often be the extra goodies we pick up or explore along the path to the end of our journey that keeps the passion on fire.
Interesting that you suggest total teacher control as being an old method that should be updated to include passion and enthusiasm. I am watching an entire building of elementary school teachers lose heart in their task because of too much control. Rubrics and regulations abound. I hear frustration, not enthusiasm, in their voices, as they try to get their kids “under control”. I watch students walk down the hall expected to be totally silent in their single-file line, in an assigned line order, with their arms folded over their chests. Talk about inside a box! Until the well-being of the child is truly put first, education will continue to be measured one test score at a time.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts on people doing one thing for too long. When you start looking at your current employment as just a paycheck, it makes it really hard to do the job well (or at all). It is refreshing to be presented or stumble across new ideas that shake up your point of view. I believe a lot of times many people find it easier to say no and come up with excuses or reasons for not trying something instead of being open to new experiences. This is sad because of all of the opportunities they are letting pass by. I have taught myself to remain open to new experiences and learning new things and I have to admit that it is contagious. Not only do I continue to want to learn more, my mom has gone on to earn an associate and bachelors degree. We have also "infected" our friends with trying/learning new things by taking them with us to workshops and conventions. If this pattern keeps going who know how many people will be inspired to try new things!
I also like your use of the picture frame to put the photos in a different perspective. I was one of the few students that actually liked drawing with the grid or filling in the missing pieces of the picture and may have to borrow your idea sometime (as long as it is not copyrighted ha!)
great observations. It's funny that your example of using the 1 x 1 square in a way makes it easier for some to focus because it masks out distractions, which would seem to be the opposite of opening up oneself to a universe of possibility. But I guess with your method we begin by knowing that there is so much more out there that we can't focus on it all. Interesting.
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