Works of Art

While I contemplate my "work of art" proposal for our CEP 882 course, I am really thinking hard about what a "work of art" can be.  I find it interesting that I associated ART to be painting, writing, music, the crafts etc.  Then I read the syllabus again and noted how our professor encouraged to produce something that I had knowledge of or great interest in.  Well, the answer to this is definitely SPORTS for me and then I had a flashback thought of how I once watched one of my top swimming students train in the pool one afternoon.  I told him his (butterfly) stroke was like "poetry in motion".  I laughed knowing that this reiterated the fact that I can be "artistic" even as a "jock"..haha!

Patterns in the Classroom

In a recent review of a peer group members' module 3 project picture, I noticed how the different patterns of tiles and kitchen countertops used in his featured architecture made the space look somehow "off balance".  It made me think further about this word "patterns" in the classroom.  Patterns of behavior came first to mind for me.  As teachers, we can be observant in our classrooms with identifying students who are "off" in their patterns of behavior.  Perhaps, something has happened at home, with family, with friends??  It is important to take note of such occurrences and know that its effect can be significant to an individual's learning.  

Light to Walk Towards...

After some very interesting reading from Sarah Susanka's notes about home architecture being designed to fit the individual, I noted the theory she uses when talking about a "light to walk towards".  Certainly in a classroom setting, these details about home architecture can be applied to the individual teacher.  However, unlike the success that large clear windows and doors have in a a house to welcome natural light, I have found that such structures can be distracting at times for my students inside the classroom simply by exterior elements such as other children walking past looking in.  I do welcome these clear windows and doors, but make sure that curtains or posters are placed inside so the distractions are kept to a minimum, without compromising the wonderful positive stimulant that natural light can provide in students' feelings and attitudes towards engagement and learning.  

The Sound of Music...!

"The MOVIES are alive...with the sound of MUSIC" - As I watch many of my classmates' module 2 movie project on facebook, I am firstly so impressed with their creations! Secondly, I have noticed how much of a significant role sounds and music play in their movies for creating a 'compelling' experience.  Similarly, I believe music can be used very effectively at school and in our teaching.  I specifically recall how I used music to help set the tone I wanted in my lower school physical education classes. Children that age are so easily influenced in their enthusiasm and energy with music and sounds.  Hence, I would play up-beat music at the start of class and slower relaxing music towards the end of the class to help settle and calm the students down for an easier transition back to the classroom for learning.   

Brilliant Colors!!!

  While watching the tv commercials that we needed to study in Module 2, I realized how much COLOR played into effect when viewing something.  The red "Doritos" chip bag was especially eye-catching and effective in the commercials since the creators did not put anything else of the same red color in entire commercial sequence - BRILLIANT!  In a classroom setting, colors also play a very important role in creating an appealing sense of learning to take place.  Most lower school classrooms are bright and aesthetically pleasing so the young students is stimulated to think and wonder with the variety of pictures and words posted around.  This is also the case for older students in the classroom, however I think their colors are more subdued to a point using tones and colors that reflect 'calm' so that higher order thinking can be inspired.  I wonder if a positive outcome of learning would also take place if Universities began giving professors the same ownership with rooms so they could 'decorate' their classroom learning environments?!

Where there is HOPE...

I had an "imaginative bridge" thought when reading the article "In defense of the year's worst movie" by Roger Ebert (2006).  He talks about HOPE in the storyline of the 2004 award winning movie "Crash" and how the characters are better people because of what happens to them in the movie.  Certainly as teachers (educators) we strive to provide this hope on a daily basis through a variety of means including student praise and encouragement for good work.  At the school I work at, we encompass a character education curriculum throughout the year focusing on a different character virtue each month such as honesty, respect and love.  Through story telling, advisory discussions and student-led assembly presentations, we teach such virtues with the hope that instilling these moral values to the children will help guide them into making good decisions in their lives for the future to come.

"Storytelling is Interactive"

As we move into the NDCE through film and televison, one of our assigned readings by Katalina Groh was on "The film-maker as storyteller".  I felt some real connections with education and teaching strategies while reading this article.  Groh talks about storytelling being interactive and I think this is very significant in drawing the students into whatever subject you are teaching in the classroom.  The story could be fictional or non-fictional for stimulating the learning (however I think it may depend on the age group as well for effectiveness!).  Like Groh also says, observing the reactions and responses of the audience (students) to such storytelling ultimately allows the storyteller (teacher) to customize the story and further enhance the desire to learn.