This was an interesting and informative video. I liked Sir Ken’s sense of humor; the British have a somewhat quirky sense of humor that I like. I noticed that he inserted play into this video through his quips and jokes, so that it was a fun experience with both jokes and information. We weren’t simply sitting and watching a video filled with information. I also noticed that he and Pink agree on many points, including that we as students are not really being sufficiently prepared for the future. He had several great ideas about education, including that creativity is important in education, which I completely agree with. After all, without creativity from the teachers, the students will find it hard to be creative, which leads to boring learning and projects. And if the learning and assignments are boring, then the students will not remember what they are being taught easily.
He also talks about how education affects everyone and that everyone can trace their roots back to the education system. This is true! We spend roughly the first twenty-two years of our life in education. What we learn and the experiences we have in the education system will effect us for the rest of our lives. Basically, education shapes us as people. And sometimes I actually think that our education system is lacking. For most of my life, I have memorized facts and taken tests on these facts. The bulk of what I have done was merely for the grade. When reading this book and having blog discussions this hit me like a ton of bricks. I had never even thought about this before in my mechanical routine of going to school, doing homework, and memorizing facts simply for a grade. Maybe this is what our education system wants us to do…
Friday, February 29, 2008
Reflection on Daniel Pink's Question
I liked that Mr. Pink asked this question and wanted to hear from us. This really made it seem like he cares about what we think and wants to know our opinions.
The question was this:
If you had to create a new school -- or reform your current school -- so that it better develops the six senses, what one or two things would you do?
Here is the answer that I posted:
Mr. Pink, I agree with everyone who has said that open classrooms are best. If a room is open with many windows and light, then I find it much easier to think. When there are no windows and only artificial light, it isn't as comfortable for me because it restricts my thinking. Windows and natural light would also inspire creative thinking. I also think that if our school was more colorful, it would inspire more creativity and right-brain thinking. The white walls become a little monotonous after awhile, and color would definitely do some good.
I do believe that at Arapahoe, there is definitely too much white. The walls are simply this boring color, and there is room for improvement here. Color invokes creativity, and if students felt more creative while at school, this would most likely lead to an improvement in student grades and academic performance. Also, creativity leads to better work. In all subjects, it is beneficial to have creativity present because creative, interesting work is always better than dull, boring work. And, as I stated in my answer, white walls everywhere becomes extremely monotonous very quickly.
The artificial light is definitely a source of annoyance for me as well. Not only does it act as a vacuum for energy and natural resources, but natural light is better. I’ve found that it evokes a feeling of peace, which is a great anecdote to the stress in students’ lives. Since it is obviously impossible to have windows in every room, it would help to have solar-powered lights installed. Besides contributing a great deal more natural light, this would use considerably less energy. Thus, a side benefit: Arapahoe’s power bill would significantly decrease. So besides instilling a feeling of peace and calm, it would save money! It is a better solution for everyone, students and school district alike.
The question was this:
If you had to create a new school -- or reform your current school -- so that it better develops the six senses, what one or two things would you do?
Here is the answer that I posted:
Mr. Pink, I agree with everyone who has said that open classrooms are best. If a room is open with many windows and light, then I find it much easier to think. When there are no windows and only artificial light, it isn't as comfortable for me because it restricts my thinking. Windows and natural light would also inspire creative thinking. I also think that if our school was more colorful, it would inspire more creativity and right-brain thinking. The white walls become a little monotonous after awhile, and color would definitely do some good.
I do believe that at Arapahoe, there is definitely too much white. The walls are simply this boring color, and there is room for improvement here. Color invokes creativity, and if students felt more creative while at school, this would most likely lead to an improvement in student grades and academic performance. Also, creativity leads to better work. In all subjects, it is beneficial to have creativity present because creative, interesting work is always better than dull, boring work. And, as I stated in my answer, white walls everywhere becomes extremely monotonous very quickly.
The artificial light is definitely a source of annoyance for me as well. Not only does it act as a vacuum for energy and natural resources, but natural light is better. I’ve found that it evokes a feeling of peace, which is a great anecdote to the stress in students’ lives. Since it is obviously impossible to have windows in every room, it would help to have solar-powered lights installed. Besides contributing a great deal more natural light, this would use considerably less energy. Thus, a side benefit: Arapahoe’s power bill would significantly decrease. So besides instilling a feeling of peace and calm, it would save money! It is a better solution for everyone, students and school district alike.
Meaning Portfolio Activity
I "took a Sabbath" for my meaning activity. I did not do this during this unit; I did it on a trip to New Mexico to visit my aunt and grandpa. I did not do this in the traditional religious sense. Instead, I left my cell phone behind and refused to check my emails, causing my aunt to think I was slightly crazy! I did take my iPod, however, because of the extreme importance music has to me. I listen to it every day and it is simply a part of me. Because of this, I do not really count iPods as technology, although they technically are. I found it extremely refreshing to not be using technology and to be unreachable, if only for a few days. I felt a sense of freedom in simply being on vacation, surrounded by family, and eating great Mexican food, with no texting or emails. This allowed me to completely escape on vacation. It filled me with a sense of peace that I do not feel very often. It was also summer, meaning that I was relaxed as well.
My point is this: technology is an amazing aspect of life, but sometimes it is great to simply turn everything off, leave it behind, and escape.
My point is this: technology is an amazing aspect of life, but sometimes it is great to simply turn everything off, leave it behind, and escape.
Play Portfolio Activity
I decided to "step on the humor scale" for my play activity. My friends have always told me that I'm a wit. My sense of humor tends to be dry and a bit sarcastic. I have always understood jokes immediately: when I was in kindergarten, my teacher was amazed that I was the only one who was laughing when she cracked jokes because I understood them when no one else did!
I went to this website to take the test: http://www.spiritualityhealth.com/newsh/items/selftest/form_proc.php
This test consisted of about 20 questions, all dealing with jokes and humor. The results were divided into four categories: Creativity & Performance (my score was 13), Coping (my score was 9), Facilitation (my score was 11), and Appreciation (my score was 15). This brought my total score to 48; the maximum score is 64. I learned from this test that I have a subtle and quiet wit, yet a sharp one. This is true because although I am not timid, I am not exactly the life of the party who constantly cracks jokes. I also learned that I sometimes use humor to cope with difficult situations, though not all of the time. This was true as well because I will use humor if I see it appropriate. However, some situations are much too serious and somber in which to use humor, and I know how to recognize this. My facilitation score told me that I will sometimes use humor to ease other people's discomfort, but only if the situation has some tension. This is true yet again. I scored extremely high on the appreciation part of this test, which tells me that I really appreciate humor, which I already knew. Basically, my results on this test were exactly what I expected and not surprising at all.
I went to this website to take the test: http://www.spiritualityhealth.com/newsh/items/selftest/form_proc.php
This test consisted of about 20 questions, all dealing with jokes and humor. The results were divided into four categories: Creativity & Performance (my score was 13), Coping (my score was 9), Facilitation (my score was 11), and Appreciation (my score was 15). This brought my total score to 48; the maximum score is 64. I learned from this test that I have a subtle and quiet wit, yet a sharp one. This is true because although I am not timid, I am not exactly the life of the party who constantly cracks jokes. I also learned that I sometimes use humor to cope with difficult situations, though not all of the time. This was true as well because I will use humor if I see it appropriate. However, some situations are much too serious and somber in which to use humor, and I know how to recognize this. My facilitation score told me that I will sometimes use humor to ease other people's discomfort, but only if the situation has some tension. This is true yet again. I scored extremely high on the appreciation part of this test, which tells me that I really appreciate humor, which I already knew. Basically, my results on this test were exactly what I expected and not surprising at all.
Empathy Portfolio Activity
After completing the chapter on empathy, I thought it would be interesting to take an online “empathy quotient” test. This proved very interesting indeed. I went to this website: http://www.glennrowe.net/BaronCohen/EmpathyQuotient/EmpathyQuotient.aspx
I was then asked to enter my gender. After this, I embarked on a 60-question test to test my empathy level. I had to rate every question either Definitely Agree, Slightly Agree, Slightly Disagree, and Definitely Disagree. The questions were clearly designed to test how in tune one is with other people, and how well one senses other peoples' feelings, emotions, and thoughts. From the start, I was expecting to receive a high score because I identify well with other people and am able to sense their feelings and emotions. It turned out that I was correct, because I received a score of 59. (The average score for women is 47.) This was an interesting, informative test that proved to me that I am empathetic. And after reading the chapter on empathy, I am glad that this is a skill which I already have sufficiently developed, because empathy will be key in the Conceptual Age!
I was then asked to enter my gender. After this, I embarked on a 60-question test to test my empathy level. I had to rate every question either Definitely Agree, Slightly Agree, Slightly Disagree, and Definitely Disagree. The questions were clearly designed to test how in tune one is with other people, and how well one senses other peoples' feelings, emotions, and thoughts. From the start, I was expecting to receive a high score because I identify well with other people and am able to sense their feelings and emotions. It turned out that I was correct, because I received a score of 59. (The average score for women is 47.) This was an interesting, informative test that proved to me that I am empathetic. And after reading the chapter on empathy, I am glad that this is a skill which I already have sufficiently developed, because empathy will be key in the Conceptual Age!
Symphony Portfolio Activity
For my symphony activity, I chose to listen to the great symphonies. I did not actually have to do this, though, because I have heard a great deal of them before. I have been to the Colorado Symphony before, both with family and on school field trips, so I have a good idea of what symphonies sound like and how they are structured. I am also a musician; I play clarinet in Symphonic Band here at Arapahoe. This causes me to pick out small nuances when listening to symphonies, or any other kind of music for that matter, that non-musicians would miss.
This chapter presented me with a new perspective on symphonies. As many symphonies as I have heard in my life, I had never thought of them in this way. But now that I think about it, it is blatantly obvious. Each symphony has many separate movements that all combine to form it. Some are played forte, some piano, some andante, some allegro, yet they all come together to form a symphony. Now, when listening to symphonies, I have a new way to think of them!
This chapter presented me with a new perspective on symphonies. As many symphonies as I have heard in my life, I had never thought of them in this way. But now that I think about it, it is blatantly obvious. Each symphony has many separate movements that all combine to form it. Some are played forte, some piano, some andante, some allegro, yet they all come together to form a symphony. Now, when listening to symphonies, I have a new way to think of them!
Story Portfolio Activity
My story activity was writing a mini-saga. It was extremely hard to keep it 50 words or less, because when I write it tends to be long. But I tried:
Headphones in, bags at her feet, coffee cup in hand, she sat. And waited. For the plane that would take her away from this town, these people, this life. A new life. Halfway around the world. Scary but exhilarating. She was finally leaving.
This mini-saga clocked in at 43 words. I wrote it based on how someone who is tired of their current life and town goes away to different country halfway around the world. The idea came from a book I read once about a girl who gets in a huge fight with her twin sister and decides to go to England because she does not want to deal with her. Also, I have seen people in airports whom this story might fit, so the idea came from this as well. I tried to capture the uncertainty yet exhilaration that would come from this, because even though I have never personally experienced this, the book I read was so well-written that it gave me a great idea of how this would feel. Since a mini-saga is only 50 words, feeling must be created quickly and as potently as possible. It is slightly difficult, but fun as well!
Headphones in, bags at her feet, coffee cup in hand, she sat. And waited. For the plane that would take her away from this town, these people, this life. A new life. Halfway around the world. Scary but exhilarating. She was finally leaving.
This mini-saga clocked in at 43 words. I wrote it based on how someone who is tired of their current life and town goes away to different country halfway around the world. The idea came from a book I read once about a girl who gets in a huge fight with her twin sister and decides to go to England because she does not want to deal with her. Also, I have seen people in airports whom this story might fit, so the idea came from this as well. I tried to capture the uncertainty yet exhilaration that would come from this, because even though I have never personally experienced this, the book I read was so well-written that it gave me a great idea of how this would feel. Since a mini-saga is only 50 words, feeling must be created quickly and as potently as possible. It is slightly difficult, but fun as well!
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