So I found a college for barefoot hippies.
Am I being a bit cynical? Meh. Perhaps. But you know what they say about first impressions. They're important and revealing.
So Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, has what's called an interdisciplinary system. This means that all students enroll in a single program rather than individual classes. The program is team-taught, meaning that a group of teachers, rather than one professor, teaches the material to a group of about 25 students. Oh and there aren't any grades. I know. It's bizarre. But kind of...intriguing. And a little innovative, too. You see, from what I understand, the "exam" involves a narrative (a paper) and a conversation between the student and professor one-on-one. This shows that you know the content and allows you to share your position about a topic. The material becomes engaging and personal. In this system, even a chemistry or physics class can come alive whenever you talk about it in light of something that interests you. For instance, a person who wants to be a botanist can talk about how plants convert sunlight into energy and describe the chemical reactions taking place in that process. According the Green College, this kind of "grading" system is more valued by employers because it is more like an actual job. Your boss isn't going to hand you a test and tell you fill in the correct answers. He might ask for a report and then bring you to his office and have you talk through your position/work, whatever that might be.
So that's the basic overview of the approach that Evergreen takes to education. Now for the questions.
How does the college or program differ from JBU?
It has an entirely different grading system and approach to evaluation of learning. The profs teach in groups and grade with conversations. That's pretty different...
What is the aim of their education and how does it differ from JBU's aim?
Their aim is to help students learn to thrive in diversity. They place the students in a position where collaberation is necessary to succeed. At JBU, collaberation is more of a good idea, a helpful suggestion. It is not forced upon us everyday in every class at all times, like it is as Evergreen.
How would you do in this program? How would it help develop your gifts, passions, and calling?
I do not think that I would enjoy this program. It would probably help me to develop in my ability to function in a group, but I would not like it. I don't feel like it would be a place where I could thrive.
Should we try to adopt the educational approaches here at JBU or not? Why or why not?
I feel like we have a nice balance in many of our classes of group projects and collaberative efforts. I am SO glad that we don't have to do everything in a group, like it would be there. I feel like the approach that Evergreen takes is extreme, and that JBU is a nice medium. Like Goldilocks in the bear's house...
"It's Just Right!"
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
How To Train Your Dragon, Over-Evaluated
I like to analyze things. My top strength in the StrengthsQuest quiz was Input. This gift is in someone who likes to collect, categorize and share information. Although I might not have put it that way, whenever I look back on my life I can see that that observation is accurate. Whenever I enjoy, admire, or like something, I want to learn more about it and become an "expert" in that subject.
Anyway, I really like the movie How To Train Your Dragon. One day I stopped and asked myself, "Self? Why do you like that movie so much?" So I watched it again and began to analyze the themes and messages. I realized the reason I liked it: the relationships.
Hiccup and Toothless: The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless is the most dynamic relationship of the movie. It begins with Hiccup deciding to not kill the dragon he captured, even though doing so would give him the one thing he wants more than anything else: to belong in his own home. The next step is accomplished by Toothless, who spares Hiccup's life after his human captor releases him. Whenever Hiccup learns that a dragon will always go for the kill, he has to ask himself, and the released dragon, "Why didn't you?". Astrid reflects this question back at Hiccup later in the movie, when she asks Hiccup why he didn't kill Toothless when he had the chance.
The turning point of the Toothless/Hiccup relationship for me was when Hiccup shows respect for Toothless by not stepping on the dragon's "drawing" in the ground. I feel that that respect grew into the love and devotion that we see later in the film. My favorite Toothless/Hiccup moment is during the slow motion sequence at the end of the fight with the huge "mother" dragon near the end of the movie. I love that as Hiccup fell into the fire, Toothless flew, his wings stretching and reaching for his friend, inviting the fire and the pain, excluding every thought except one: save Hiccup. The moment when we see that Hiccup is maimed like Toothless was an emotional one for me, because that is just one more way that they are now able to connect with each other.
Hiccup and his father: This relationship is the source of much of the conflict of the story. Hiccup can't live up to his father's expectations and his father doesn't understand the differences of his son's personality. Hiccup's loyalty to his father is refreshing. Even though Stoic is clearly in the wrong on a few occasions, Hiccup still wants to respect his father. My favorite moment is when Stoic says he was sorry for everything that happened. Hiccup doesn't respond with some snide comment, he just says he is sorry, too. Then when Stoic says that he is proud to call Hiccup his son, Hiccup is thankful. I think, in a way that doesn't take place on screen but I could see it happening off screen, Hiccup is validated as a man and a new kind of Viking because of his father's approval.
Hiccup and Astrid: Okay, first of all, I just like Astrid. I like her tough attitude and whenever she sees Toothless as Hiccup does, she is willing to adjust her misconceptions about dragons. My absolute, all-time favorite scene of the movie is when she goes to talk to Hiccup after the Vikings have left to hunt down the dragon nest. Using her influence, she inspires Hiccup to be the leader he can be. She reminds him of why he first spared Toothless. She asks him what he is going to do about his friend's captivity. She rallies the other recruits to help him. I love that scene because it is so honest and realistic. Behind every great man and his accomplishments is a woman whispering confidence into his ear. Astrid does that for Hiccup, and it makes me want to jump up and down and say "Yes! Thank you for a movie that inspires men to be great and women to help them, not because either are inferior, but because both are essential equals." I greatly appreciate this message and wish more movies would include it.
Toothless and Astrid/Stoic: I'll just briefly mention this because I feel that it's a great credit to the character and "humanness" of Toothless the dragon. With both Astrid and Stoic, he waits to befriend them until they say "I'm sorry". He shows Astrid a crazy ride, and then turns it into the best date ever after she apologizes. Toothless hides that he has managed to save Hiccup until Stoic says that he was wrong and he is sorry. I like that *thumbs up*
Gobber and Stoic: I love this totally masculine friendship between men. I am lucky enough that I grew up with a dad who had guy friends who were positive influences in his life. We get to see the workings of this kind of relationship with Gobber and Stoic. I like the honesty of their conversation early in the movie when Gobber convinces Stoic to place Hiccup in dragon training. My favorite moment of this relationship is during the final battle, when all seems hopeless and Stoic is determined to sacrifice himself for his people, and Gobber refuses to leave with the rest of the people. I love the raw strength of this relationship: two manly men willing to talk, fight, and die together. Great message, DreamWorks. I highly, very greatly, approve.
I hope that I didn't bore you with my over-analyzing tendencies. Rest assured that I did not get all of this stuff the first time I watched it. It was whenever I watched asking myself, "Why do I like this movie so much?" I feel like we see what we choose to look for. Always remember that in any place, situation, job, class, and relationship, you can find flaws. But if you choose to look for good things, you can find them. Just don't forget to look.
Anyway, I really like the movie How To Train Your Dragon. One day I stopped and asked myself, "Self? Why do you like that movie so much?" So I watched it again and began to analyze the themes and messages. I realized the reason I liked it: the relationships.
**SPOILER ALERT: Plot points and twists are discussed and revealed in the following blog. If you haven't seen the movie, you might not want to keep reading.**
Hiccup and Toothless: The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless is the most dynamic relationship of the movie. It begins with Hiccup deciding to not kill the dragon he captured, even though doing so would give him the one thing he wants more than anything else: to belong in his own home. The next step is accomplished by Toothless, who spares Hiccup's life after his human captor releases him. Whenever Hiccup learns that a dragon will always go for the kill, he has to ask himself, and the released dragon, "Why didn't you?". Astrid reflects this question back at Hiccup later in the movie, when she asks Hiccup why he didn't kill Toothless when he had the chance.
The turning point of the Toothless/Hiccup relationship for me was when Hiccup shows respect for Toothless by not stepping on the dragon's "drawing" in the ground. I feel that that respect grew into the love and devotion that we see later in the film. My favorite Toothless/Hiccup moment is during the slow motion sequence at the end of the fight with the huge "mother" dragon near the end of the movie. I love that as Hiccup fell into the fire, Toothless flew, his wings stretching and reaching for his friend, inviting the fire and the pain, excluding every thought except one: save Hiccup. The moment when we see that Hiccup is maimed like Toothless was an emotional one for me, because that is just one more way that they are now able to connect with each other.
Hiccup and his father: This relationship is the source of much of the conflict of the story. Hiccup can't live up to his father's expectations and his father doesn't understand the differences of his son's personality. Hiccup's loyalty to his father is refreshing. Even though Stoic is clearly in the wrong on a few occasions, Hiccup still wants to respect his father. My favorite moment is when Stoic says he was sorry for everything that happened. Hiccup doesn't respond with some snide comment, he just says he is sorry, too. Then when Stoic says that he is proud to call Hiccup his son, Hiccup is thankful. I think, in a way that doesn't take place on screen but I could see it happening off screen, Hiccup is validated as a man and a new kind of Viking because of his father's approval.
Hiccup and Astrid: Okay, first of all, I just like Astrid. I like her tough attitude and whenever she sees Toothless as Hiccup does, she is willing to adjust her misconceptions about dragons. My absolute, all-time favorite scene of the movie is when she goes to talk to Hiccup after the Vikings have left to hunt down the dragon nest. Using her influence, she inspires Hiccup to be the leader he can be. She reminds him of why he first spared Toothless. She asks him what he is going to do about his friend's captivity. She rallies the other recruits to help him. I love that scene because it is so honest and realistic. Behind every great man and his accomplishments is a woman whispering confidence into his ear. Astrid does that for Hiccup, and it makes me want to jump up and down and say "Yes! Thank you for a movie that inspires men to be great and women to help them, not because either are inferior, but because both are essential equals." I greatly appreciate this message and wish more movies would include it.
Toothless and Astrid/Stoic: I'll just briefly mention this because I feel that it's a great credit to the character and "humanness" of Toothless the dragon. With both Astrid and Stoic, he waits to befriend them until they say "I'm sorry". He shows Astrid a crazy ride, and then turns it into the best date ever after she apologizes. Toothless hides that he has managed to save Hiccup until Stoic says that he was wrong and he is sorry. I like that *thumbs up*
Gobber and Stoic: I love this totally masculine friendship between men. I am lucky enough that I grew up with a dad who had guy friends who were positive influences in his life. We get to see the workings of this kind of relationship with Gobber and Stoic. I like the honesty of their conversation early in the movie when Gobber convinces Stoic to place Hiccup in dragon training. My favorite moment of this relationship is during the final battle, when all seems hopeless and Stoic is determined to sacrifice himself for his people, and Gobber refuses to leave with the rest of the people. I love the raw strength of this relationship: two manly men willing to talk, fight, and die together. Great message, DreamWorks. I highly, very greatly, approve.
I hope that I didn't bore you with my over-analyzing tendencies. Rest assured that I did not get all of this stuff the first time I watched it. It was whenever I watched asking myself, "Why do I like this movie so much?" I feel like we see what we choose to look for. Always remember that in any place, situation, job, class, and relationship, you can find flaws. But if you choose to look for good things, you can find them. Just don't forget to look.
The Lord bless and keep you, may His face shine upon you and be gracious and give you peace. ~ Numbers 6:24-26
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Easier Said Than Done
I really don't like that cliche very much: "Easier said than done". I mean, it's true, but never really very helpful, because right after you say it you still have to do what you said would be hard to do. I guess I usually prefer to just do it instead of talking about how hard it's going to be.
With that in mind, it's kind of silly that I talked so long about how hard this would be that I ran out of time to actually do it.
But there have been times in my life that I've walked up to people and joined their group! The first week of school was like this. Meals were...interesting...and usually pretty quick because there weren't many people with whom to talk. I can name three times off the top of my head that I joined people who were by themselves. Once there was a guy by himself and when I asked if he was alone, he said, "Oh no, I've got some people coming." I just said "Oh" and kept going. He said it in a brisk tone, and when I sat down with some people I had met before, I commented on his tone. I don't know if he heard me, but a few minutes later he came over and said he was sorry for his tone, he was just surprised that I had offered and didn't mean to be rude. I told him I was grateful for his apology and said that it was okay, I understood. I can't remember his name and probably wouldn't recognize his face if I saw it again. But that experience will stay with me for a long time and always challenge me to consider and reconsider other people's feelings.
There was another time I sat down with a girl I had seen on my hall a lot of times but had never met, so I sat down with her even though she was wearing headphones and looked just as happy by herself. I knew that sometimes when I do something like that, I'm testing to see if there are people friendly enough to be willing to break through a few small walls. We had a great conversation and discovered that we have a few of the same interests and similar tastes in music. We haven't really talked much since then, but I am glad to know her and to have gotten to share a meal with her.
What I learned from those experiences is that being friendly is always rewarded. Even if you don't make a new friend, you might just help make someone's day just a little bit better. And that's always a good thing.
With that in mind, it's kind of silly that I talked so long about how hard this would be that I ran out of time to actually do it.
But there have been times in my life that I've walked up to people and joined their group! The first week of school was like this. Meals were...interesting...and usually pretty quick because there weren't many people with whom to talk. I can name three times off the top of my head that I joined people who were by themselves. Once there was a guy by himself and when I asked if he was alone, he said, "Oh no, I've got some people coming." I just said "Oh" and kept going. He said it in a brisk tone, and when I sat down with some people I had met before, I commented on his tone. I don't know if he heard me, but a few minutes later he came over and said he was sorry for his tone, he was just surprised that I had offered and didn't mean to be rude. I told him I was grateful for his apology and said that it was okay, I understood. I can't remember his name and probably wouldn't recognize his face if I saw it again. But that experience will stay with me for a long time and always challenge me to consider and reconsider other people's feelings.
There was another time I sat down with a girl I had seen on my hall a lot of times but had never met, so I sat down with her even though she was wearing headphones and looked just as happy by herself. I knew that sometimes when I do something like that, I'm testing to see if there are people friendly enough to be willing to break through a few small walls. We had a great conversation and discovered that we have a few of the same interests and similar tastes in music. We haven't really talked much since then, but I am glad to know her and to have gotten to share a meal with her.
What I learned from those experiences is that being friendly is always rewarded. Even if you don't make a new friend, you might just help make someone's day just a little bit better. And that's always a good thing.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
While There's Time, There's Hope
Dreams. Living. Calling. Stop.
Wishing. Regrets. Pain. Stop.
Tears. Bruises. Scars. Stop.
But. I. Just. Can't. Stop.
I DON'T KNOW!!!
This is the third draft, the third attempt to do this blog. I have no dreams except ones that are falling apart and morphing into something else entirely. I used to think that after school I would marry my boyfriend, raise children and live happily ever after. I used to think that school would be simple and require minimal effort like high school. I thought so many things.
Now my boyfriend hasn't called me in three weeks. School is stressful, confusing, and great all at the same time. I used to have a keyboard, a place that relieved my stress anytime of day or night. Now I have a piano with a low G that sticks, a flat A, and pedals that don't work that I am only allowed to play from 10 AM to 10 PM. I used to get paid every night I worked, always having cash on hand. Now I had I to postpone a Wal-Mart trip so that I could transfer money from my savings to checking account. I used to be able to walk up to my mom or sister or boyfriend and just ask them to hold me, and they would. Now I'm starved for a real hug from a close friend in a way I never thought would be possible.
Dreams are lies! They are deceivers. They promise hope and leave you with tears and scars. They are over-rated. People waste their lives, spending time on money and money on people and people on time. It is a sick cycle that perpetuates and escalates. Then you die. And your dreams laugh as you slip away.
So how can I cling to something I cannot bring to fruition? Why chase something that can never be tamed? I am not alive when I eat and drink and make merry. I am alive in suffering and pain. Discomfort and hunger remind me of life's preciousness. It is when a man nears death that he realizes how much he loves his life. Heartache and disease makes him appreciate his health. When comfort is made an idol, it claims a new name: laziness.
I tend to be lazy. I think we all do. We like comfort. Why shouldn't we? We can afford it.
I want a life bigger than that. Of course I would prefer comfort and peace. But the cost is just too great. Jesus said that whoever does not pick up his cross and follow Him is not worthy of Him. When I picture a cross, I don't label it "comfort".
So I don't have a dream, except this: something painful. I don't need to seek suffering to find it. But whenever suffering does come, and I am up against it, I will not fear it and back down. If it is worth living for, it is worth dying for. And so long as there is time, there is hope.
Wishing. Regrets. Pain. Stop.
Tears. Bruises. Scars. Stop.
But. I. Just. Can't. Stop.
I DON'T KNOW!!!
This is the third draft, the third attempt to do this blog. I have no dreams except ones that are falling apart and morphing into something else entirely. I used to think that after school I would marry my boyfriend, raise children and live happily ever after. I used to think that school would be simple and require minimal effort like high school. I thought so many things.
Now my boyfriend hasn't called me in three weeks. School is stressful, confusing, and great all at the same time. I used to have a keyboard, a place that relieved my stress anytime of day or night. Now I have a piano with a low G that sticks, a flat A, and pedals that don't work that I am only allowed to play from 10 AM to 10 PM. I used to get paid every night I worked, always having cash on hand. Now I had I to postpone a Wal-Mart trip so that I could transfer money from my savings to checking account. I used to be able to walk up to my mom or sister or boyfriend and just ask them to hold me, and they would. Now I'm starved for a real hug from a close friend in a way I never thought would be possible.
Dreams are lies! They are deceivers. They promise hope and leave you with tears and scars. They are over-rated. People waste their lives, spending time on money and money on people and people on time. It is a sick cycle that perpetuates and escalates. Then you die. And your dreams laugh as you slip away.
So how can I cling to something I cannot bring to fruition? Why chase something that can never be tamed? I am not alive when I eat and drink and make merry. I am alive in suffering and pain. Discomfort and hunger remind me of life's preciousness. It is when a man nears death that he realizes how much he loves his life. Heartache and disease makes him appreciate his health. When comfort is made an idol, it claims a new name: laziness.
I tend to be lazy. I think we all do. We like comfort. Why shouldn't we? We can afford it.
I want a life bigger than that. Of course I would prefer comfort and peace. But the cost is just too great. Jesus said that whoever does not pick up his cross and follow Him is not worthy of Him. When I picture a cross, I don't label it "comfort".
So I don't have a dream, except this: something painful. I don't need to seek suffering to find it. But whenever suffering does come, and I am up against it, I will not fear it and back down. If it is worth living for, it is worth dying for. And so long as there is time, there is hope.
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