Comment_on_Chad_Pucik_Post_THE BOX, AND HOW TO GET OUT OF IT!

WK1 READING - THE BOX, AND HOW TO GET OUT OF IT!
In my opinion thinking outside of the box is simultaneously one of the easiest and hardest things that humans can accomplish. The problem with many people is that we rely so much on our senses and forget to use what is perhaps the most important organ we have; our brains. Much like the old saying “Can’t see the forest from the trees” we tend to at times have such a narrow view of things it can be difficult to discern another available path when one opens up to us. That’s what makes thinking outside of the box so difficult. So what can make it easy? Analyzing, opening yourself up to other possibilities, and collaboration. Collaboration is one that I feel gets overlooked far too much. Speaking with others is one of the best ways to get a new and fresh perspective on problem or question that’s in front of you.
Stepping outside of this box is the first step in making your world, and hopefully the world overall, a better place. Once open to new possibilities you will find that your internal questions will also change. For example; if a person makes a mistake they will ask themselves “What did I do wrong?” While this is certainly a legitimate question, a better one would be “How can I make this better?” Another example would be fight-or-flight. When confronted with a new situation fight-or-flight may very well be triggered for the average person. However a person that is open to new possibilities may try to determine how they can work this new situation/opportunity into their lives. While fight-or-flight certainly is valuable response to have in certain situations, especially those of true danger, most people are confronted with it for some of the most mundane things that happen in their lives.

Sources:
josh_box.jpg photo taken by Chad Pucik

WK1 Reading Response:

Chad you make a strong point that collaboration is an important role to leaning a new perspective on problems. Veteran teachers seem to have a perspective that rejects new technology. From a veteran teachers viewpoint this means they will have to learn more and it will increase their work. Collaboration with less tenured staff would help this learning curve. I see appreciate my veteran teachers on our staff and try to help them as much as I can. The small hurtles that these veteran teachers need assistance with, we as EDMTS graduates we should be ambassador for our schools.

Dennis Keegan
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010 - 12:16 PM