Seven: Empathy
Quote: “And the one aptitude that’s proven impossible for computers to reproduce, and very difficult for faraway workers connected by electrons to match, is Empathy.” (pg. 132)
Question: How can I help students develop emotional intelligence as well as academic intelligence?
Connection: I have noticed that sometimes students prefer to work alone on their computers than to work collaboratively with other students. Reading this section has made me realize how important it is for students to also gain skills necessary for human interaction, especially in our world where we are increasingly interacting with one another through a screen.
Epiphany/Aha: I had an Aha moment when Pink mentions that one of the rising job demands in our society is nursing, a job that requires both systematic and empathetic thinking. Speaking of nurses, another aha moment that I had deals with medicine and healthcare. Increasingly in our society, people are looking to holistic approaches, instead of going straight to drugs.
Eight: Play
Quote: “Play is becoming an important part of work, business, and personal well-being, its importance manifesting itself in three ways: games, humor, and joyfulness. Games, particularly computer and video games, have become a large and influential industry that is teaching whole-minded lessons to its customers and recruiting a new breed of whole-minded worker.” (pg. 154)
Question: How can I incorporate games and playing into my classroom?
Connection: This section made me think of when my own instructors have used game in the classroom and how I’ve been able to gain a better understanding of the content through playing. For me, being able to actually do a hands-on activity is a lot more effective than sitting through a lesson.
Epiphany/Aha: My epiphany after reading this section is that games need to part of the curriculum so that students can have fun while they’re learning.
Nine: Meaning
Quote: “Meaning has become a central aspect of our work and our lives. Pursuing meaning obviously is no simple task. You can’t buy a cookbook with the recipe for it- or open a packet of powder and add water and stir. But there are two practical, whole-minded ways for individuals, families, and businesses to begin the search for meaning: start taking spirituality seriously and start taking happiness seriously.” (pg. 178)
Question: How can I ensure that teaching is as meaningful to me years down the road as it is now?
Connection: My connection to this part is my student teaching. It is very meaningful to me, and although it has been fun and I have enjoyed some of it, I can’t fully say that I’ve enjoyed all of it. I think I still need to figure out a way to balance my stress and instead of worrying, use that energy to focus on the bright side of things. Hopefully this is something that I can continue to work on as I gain more experience and finish the program.
Epiphany/Aha: I’ve noticed that a lot of students have a difficult time making meaning, or even stating what it is that they care about. This might have to do with their lack of experience in life in general. An aha moment is just realizing that not everything has to be so serious. There is fun to be had even in the most serious of moments.
Pink, Daniel. A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. New York: Riverhead Books, 2005. Print.
Quote: “And the one aptitude that’s proven impossible for computers to reproduce, and very difficult for faraway workers connected by electrons to match, is Empathy.” (pg. 132)
Question: How can I help students develop emotional intelligence as well as academic intelligence?
Connection: I have noticed that sometimes students prefer to work alone on their computers than to work collaboratively with other students. Reading this section has made me realize how important it is for students to also gain skills necessary for human interaction, especially in our world where we are increasingly interacting with one another through a screen.
Epiphany/Aha: I had an Aha moment when Pink mentions that one of the rising job demands in our society is nursing, a job that requires both systematic and empathetic thinking. Speaking of nurses, another aha moment that I had deals with medicine and healthcare. Increasingly in our society, people are looking to holistic approaches, instead of going straight to drugs.
Eight: Play
Quote: “Play is becoming an important part of work, business, and personal well-being, its importance manifesting itself in three ways: games, humor, and joyfulness. Games, particularly computer and video games, have become a large and influential industry that is teaching whole-minded lessons to its customers and recruiting a new breed of whole-minded worker.” (pg. 154)
Question: How can I incorporate games and playing into my classroom?
Connection: This section made me think of when my own instructors have used game in the classroom and how I’ve been able to gain a better understanding of the content through playing. For me, being able to actually do a hands-on activity is a lot more effective than sitting through a lesson.
Epiphany/Aha: My epiphany after reading this section is that games need to part of the curriculum so that students can have fun while they’re learning.
Nine: Meaning
Quote: “Meaning has become a central aspect of our work and our lives. Pursuing meaning obviously is no simple task. You can’t buy a cookbook with the recipe for it- or open a packet of powder and add water and stir. But there are two practical, whole-minded ways for individuals, families, and businesses to begin the search for meaning: start taking spirituality seriously and start taking happiness seriously.” (pg. 178)
Question: How can I ensure that teaching is as meaningful to me years down the road as it is now?
Connection: My connection to this part is my student teaching. It is very meaningful to me, and although it has been fun and I have enjoyed some of it, I can’t fully say that I’ve enjoyed all of it. I think I still need to figure out a way to balance my stress and instead of worrying, use that energy to focus on the bright side of things. Hopefully this is something that I can continue to work on as I gain more experience and finish the program.
Epiphany/Aha: I’ve noticed that a lot of students have a difficult time making meaning, or even stating what it is that they care about. This might have to do with their lack of experience in life in general. An aha moment is just realizing that not everything has to be so serious. There is fun to be had even in the most serious of moments.
Pink, Daniel. A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. New York: Riverhead Books, 2005. Print.