Shining Eyes

Essential Question: What creates excitement in learning?


Photo Credit

Characters

Randy Judkins both entertained and inspired us with his performance tonight.

His question:

Who has made a difference in your life?

The essential question: How do we make a difference in someone's life?

Related resources:

Randy Judkins Home Page
EduEyeView Blog Post on Randy's Keynote

Who
Biography
Autobiography
Character
Process
Diversity

Other Institute news: Mark Spahr will be live blogging sessions at the conference. Check it out here.

Tell us (comment) . . . who DID make a difference in your life?

Photo Credit: Sarah Sutter

On Flying, Aspirations & Virtual Worlds

"There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: One is roots, the other is wings."

~ Hodding Carter

When I was a child, I remember having flying dreams . . . ahhhh, such freedom! I either don't have them now, or simply just don't remember them when I crawl out of bed in the morning. Of course I could go to a virtual world such as Second Life to fly, but you know, it just ain't the same as a good old-fashioned dream . . . or is it?

Carl Jung's idea was that in a flying dream we are expressing our desire to break free of restrictions and limitations. There are many other interpretations out there, but we do know that these flying dreams have been with us throughout history.

The Greek myth, Daedulus and Icarus, has a tragic ending in that Icarus dies from flying too close to the sun. The message seems to be that there is a danger in going too far from our roots.

Questions:

Are we giving our kids adequate roots?

Are we giving our kids wings?

Are virtual worlds such as Skoolaborate an adequate substitute for strong flesh & blood families and communities?

How do social networking sites such as Webkins, Miss Bimbo, and others fit into all this?

What are our roles as parents, teachers, and community members in this new reality?

Final Question: Do kids still have flying dreams? Do kids have life dreams?

"If I had two wishes, I know what they would be
I'd wish for Roots to cling to, and Wings to set me free;

Roots of inner values, like rings within a tree, and Wings of independence to seek my destiny.

Roots to hold forever to keep me safe and strong,
To let me know you love me, when I've done something wrong;

To show me by example, and help me learn to choose,
To take those actions every day to win instead of lose.

Just be there when I need you, to tell me it's all right,
To face my fear of falling when I test my wings in flight;

Don't make my life too easy, it's better if I try,
And fail and get back up myself, so I can learn to fly.

If I had two wishes, and two were all I had,
And they could just be granted, by my Mom and Dad;
I wouldn't ask for money or any store-bought things,

The greatest gifts I'd ask for are simply Roots and Wings."

~ Denis Waitley

Parents

My father grew up on a farm and then worked as a welder in the Rumford papermill as an adult, not a job he particularly liked, but one that paid the bills of a household of five children and a wife. His hobby was reading everything he could about the stock market, buying stock, and following the ups and downs in the morning paper.

My mother grew up in a Franco-American home with 8 brothers and sisters where French was the primary language and English the second language. During the Depression, they all lived on her grandparents' farm in order to survive. Due to poverty, she was not able to attend high school. Nevertheless, she was, and is at 86, a voracious reader and life-long learner.

Some of my parents' expectations:

1. "Supper" was a sacrament and we were expected to be there.
2. There's always room for one more at the table.
3. Treat people of all stations of life with equal respect.
4. Do your best.
5. It was never explicitly talked about, but simply "understood" that all their children would become college graduates. And so it became . . .

Jim - B.A. economics, UMO
Bob - B.S. civil engineering, UMO
Sue - B.A. art, Goddard
Mike - B.S. education/social work, UMF
Dave - B.S. business, UMO

How did your parents make a difference in your life?

What is your story?

Aspirations: 8 Conditions