I've never been one to keep a diary. I don't take notes at meetings and if I have something to say, I'll say it. So, blogging is a little foreign to me. I can write when the mood strikes and I've been told by instructors that I can turn a fine phrase or two when I do so. The problem for me with this venue is that it is SO public. I'm afraid that someone will see my musings and think "geez, she's an idiot!" But, then again, unless they comment I'll never know. So, I'll stick my toe in the water once again and blog my lil' heart out. I'll "give myself an A"- I can do this and make it meaningful for myself and hopefully, it will be meaningful for those of you who read it.
This video gave me a smile and let me know I wasn't alone!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
MAC Wk.1- Peer Comment J. Rodriguez
What a few positive words can accomplish in another person's life!
As I was reading the Art of Possibility, I came across an interesting section about an experiment using labels to classify character or personality. Benjamin Zanders contends that labeling and grading with anything less than an "A" may really serve to destroy or inhibit self growth and worth. One such story was about an Asian student who was raised in a culture never to question authority, (teachers, and so on). This student was given an "A" even before taking test or course and then was asked to write a letter dated sometime in the future. But to write it as though the subject matter was in the past. This student was to write about "Why he deserved an "A" in this course?"
I found it intriguing that one can influence how others respond to their environment through simple positive gestures. Since I am interested in testing for systems that would help Autistic children break into social environments, this would be an ideal concept to apply.
Shelley said...
The range of autistic behaviors is as wide as the Grand Canyon. One thread that seems to run through all of them is that some of the behaviors are viewed as socially unacceptable. If the autistic person is high-functioning, they realize that the behaviors are not accepted and they may retreat further into themselves.
I can tell you from personal experience that "giving an A" to these people is a very powerful thing. By accepting the person exactly where they are, we give them the freedom to take a step forward. Each step allowed makes the next step easier and soon they blossom into a person that we never imagined could be there.
As I was reading the Art of Possibility, I came across an interesting section about an experiment using labels to classify character or personality. Benjamin Zanders contends that labeling and grading with anything less than an "A" may really serve to destroy or inhibit self growth and worth. One such story was about an Asian student who was raised in a culture never to question authority, (teachers, and so on). This student was given an "A" even before taking test or course and then was asked to write a letter dated sometime in the future. But to write it as though the subject matter was in the past. This student was to write about "Why he deserved an "A" in this course?"
I found it intriguing that one can influence how others respond to their environment through simple positive gestures. Since I am interested in testing for systems that would help Autistic children break into social environments, this would be an ideal concept to apply.
Shelley said...
The range of autistic behaviors is as wide as the Grand Canyon. One thread that seems to run through all of them is that some of the behaviors are viewed as socially unacceptable. If the autistic person is high-functioning, they realize that the behaviors are not accepted and they may retreat further into themselves.
I can tell you from personal experience that "giving an A" to these people is a very powerful thing. By accepting the person exactly where they are, we give them the freedom to take a step forward. Each step allowed makes the next step easier and soon they blossom into a person that we never imagined could be there.
MAC Wk1 Reading- Giving an "A"
As a teacher, this phrase "giving an "A"" makes me shudder at first. Grades should be earned. They measure progress and let us know how we measure up, right? The suggestion that we should abandon the measuring stick and embrace each student as a possibility to be achieved makes many of us shudder. But, as I examine it, this could be a revolutionary idea. Imagine how students would feel knowing that they already have reached the pinnacle of the measuring stick and they have to work to keep it? It sends a powerful message: I see you are worthy, I believe you are special and that your ideas have merit. Giving an "A" could erase a student's negative school experiences and allow them to begin again with a glass half full instead of half empty.
MAC Wk1 Reading- Ponies or Poo?
The Art of Possibility- changing our world by changing our perspective. Each of us views the world based upon the schema we have developed from our own unique set of experiences. Whether that perspective has a positive or negative spin is completely up to us. This reminds me of a joke I heard years ago:
Two boys were having a birthday. Their parents took the boys into a large room that was filled with horse manure. The first boy stood in the middle of the room and cried because he didn't receive the pony he had asked for. The second boy walked into the room, giggled in delight and began digging furiously through the manure. "What are you doing??" the first boy whined.
"Well," the second boy replied, "with this much manure, there's gotta be a pony in here someplace!"
Ponies or poo- what you see is up to you!
Two boys were having a birthday. Their parents took the boys into a large room that was filled with horse manure. The first boy stood in the middle of the room and cried because he didn't receive the pony he had asked for. The second boy walked into the room, giggled in delight and began digging furiously through the manure. "What are you doing??" the first boy whined.
"Well," the second boy replied, "with this much manure, there's gotta be a pony in here someplace!"
Ponies or poo- what you see is up to you!
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