by Ron Samul
It happens when they are just talking in class. The students are talking about things and something comes up that just smacks you in the face. We were talking about the differences in generations and what it means. And someone said that the older generation is "wise" but the younger generations are better with technology and are more open to new experiences. And I asked the questions - what does it mean to be wise?
It happens when they are just talking in class. The students are talking about things and something comes up that just smacks you in the face. We were talking about the differences in generations and what it means. And someone said that the older generation is "wise" but the younger generations are better with technology and are more open to new experiences. And I asked the questions - what does it mean to be wise?
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| "You must unlearn what you have learned." - Yoda |
And the Humanities assignment was born. Some of the 18-21 year-old students tried to convince me that being wise didn't mean having more experience. And being wise was something they didn't like and didn't have. The one thing youth doesn't have is experience - so wisdom shouldn't equal experience. So, I asked them if they put 10,000 hours into being a good writer would they have the wisdom of a great writer? If they put in 10,000 hours of a video game they would have the wisdom of video game operation? It became confusing and frustrating for the students. That is a good place to teach from if it doesn't fall into complete chaos...
I want the students to talk. It seems to be something that students aren't allowed to do in other courses (so they explain to me). Creating a vision of wisdom is challenging. So, this is where the quest started. I had students attempt to define qualities of wisdom and what they can do to foster it in their lives. The hardest part about writing are the invisible things... and those invisible things are the most important. It starts with wisdom, but where does it end when you start to consider the invisible. It is the beginning of a fascinating adventure into the intangible. We can never capture freedom or love in precise words because they are constantly moving and changing. Everyone has a different vision of truth, honor, faith, and wisdom. To begin to handle them in your imagination is a significant step to who you are and will be someday.
Wisdom - where do you find it?
I want the students to talk. It seems to be something that students aren't allowed to do in other courses (so they explain to me). Creating a vision of wisdom is challenging. So, this is where the quest started. I had students attempt to define qualities of wisdom and what they can do to foster it in their lives. The hardest part about writing are the invisible things... and those invisible things are the most important. It starts with wisdom, but where does it end when you start to consider the invisible. It is the beginning of a fascinating adventure into the intangible. We can never capture freedom or love in precise words because they are constantly moving and changing. Everyone has a different vision of truth, honor, faith, and wisdom. To begin to handle them in your imagination is a significant step to who you are and will be someday.
Wisdom - where do you find it?
