Week 1 Response Post to Jorge Rodriguez

I have had the fortunate opportunity to attend a workshop where Ben Zander was the key speaker. He told us this story about the A and his class (as well as others I am reading in the book). This concept really hit home for me as a music teacher. Especially in performance classes such as Zander teaches, it is often difficult to get the students to let go and perform. I used this technique with a follow-up at the end of the semester with my performance classes. The music they created was great as they were able to let go of pressure. When they did their end of the semester letter to me, they were able to communicate how they met certain benchmarks in the class as well as evaluate their own growth and shortcomings honestly. This is when the letter or number disappears and true learning takes place. Now, if we can only convince Departments of Ed that this is the way to go, maybe they can let go of the invention of grades and teachers can begin to teach again.


Original Post from Jorge Rodriguez:
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010
From the Art of Possibility - I like this artist!


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.

Sources:
Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2002). The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life. Boston: Penguin (Non-Classics). (Original work published 1942)