Mastery, Belonging, Independence and Generosity

I have asked myself about the OLPC Initiative, Is this a good idea?   It is true students in the developing countries can learn how to use the devices without any teaching or training, and it connects them to the world, but what about their learning environment?  How are they being inspired to learn?  How do we know the laptops will not become distraction devices, when there are no teachers or leaders guiding their curiosities? I researched OLPC before in my human development course. I looked up my presentation, Library Initiative.  I asked, What does OLPC say about human development? I never concluded with an answer.  I referred to Sherry Turkle's (MIT Professor) research on how technology and our connections are changing human relationships. Check out Sherry Turkle's TED Talk.  My favorite examples of the importance of relationships is from an amazing psychology book, Reclaiming Youth at Risk: Our Hope for the Future by Larry K. Brendtro, Martin Brokenleg and Steve Van Bockern.  I find a way to go back to this book every time when thinking about development and psychology.  It explains the wisdom of Native American child development called the Circle of Courage. The idea that  Mastery, Belonging, Independence, and Generosity are what frame positive human development, instead of mainstream psychology that is driven by negative terms like the 10 D’s of deviance (such as disorder, dysfunctional, disobedient, disabled).  After doing a Google search I am so happy to find their ideas are still alive -  Reclaiming.com is their website. The authors offer webinars and are holding a conference presenting on the Circle of Courage to educators.    

I also interviewed my grandmother as part of my presentation.  What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?  Check out this video about wisdom.

It's all about the stories

I connected to Steven Downes post Strive Less, Share More and his response to our class questions. The true art of storytelling lies in immersing yourself and giving yourself over to the audience. The idea that learning and sharing is best through stories has been a recurring theme for me lately (my recent post referring to Seth Godin’s post Coordinate and Amplify  that the best way to convince someone to embrace your ideas is through stories).  I love it when after I’ve read a story to students they fight over who gets to check out the book!  I know I I have succeeded in my sharing. When I am inspired from a story I read it with passion and it works with the kids.  Recently, my most passionate story is Catwings, by Ursula LeGuin. Here is an awesome audio clip of her reading the story.   I think it is the fantasy and immersing yourself in the cat's world that inspired me so much. What if cats had wings?  When I share that passion with students they feel it too. I am so lucky it is my job to share great stories with kids.  Many times it is these stories that spark their inspiration and passions.