Although creative prowess comes from the self, it must be acknowledged that creativity would realize its fullest potential with the help of others. Schools have always focused in the formation of the individual as evident in their mission, vision and lesson plans. They want students to become self-actualized leaders of the nation. But how can this be achieved if the students are so focused in trying to be better than everyone else in class? Their competitiveness is built on individualistic gain.
Ed Catmull mentions in his article: “If you give a good idea to a mediocre team, they’ll screw it up. But if you give a mediocre idea to a great team, they’ll make it work.” How is a mediocre team formed? By bringing together students who think that having diverse interests and skills is bad, that there is a single ideal that they should aim for. Parents are guilty of expecting their child to be good in English, Math, Science and on top of that, enroll him in piano lessons and advanced Chinese after class. They expect him to be good in everything.
Why not embrace individual talent and perfect it? Imagine the possibilities of putting together various students with different talents in a group. An idea, no matter how lackluster, will eventually be a revolutionary one when infused with a variety of perspectives. Schools should provide more opportunities for teamwork because only then will students truly learn to respect the opinions of others and integrate them into his own. Together, a team can learn to solve a problem without having to adhere to traditional methods all the time. As Ed Catmull mentions it: “Sort through a mass of ideas to find the ones that fit into a coherent whole.”
In radicalizing a way to solve a problem, major decisions that will effect the outcome of the experience will inevitably surface. Teachers should encourage their students to take risks because keeping safe all the time won’t lead to creative solutions.
In the end, great creative ideas will only come from teams who are able to celebrate their diversity and uniqueness.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Snoopin' Around
K, My Sister
Disclaimer: Although I personally know my sister, all my biases towards her have been set aside for this snoop exercise. In fact, it would be interesting to know if my findings would match the personality she exudes in the real world.
***
Folders and books on the side. Papers randomly stacked in not-so-neat piles. Bag on the table. Chair pushed in. Blinds closed. Bare walls.
The typical scenario in most desk areas of students? Not quite.
Chair pushed in. Blinds closed. Bare walls.
You'd have to wonder how K manages to remember pushing her chair back in when she couldn't even seem to properly organize the clutter on her desk. Perhaps she does it out of habit, or perhaps she doesn't use the chair at all. Not use the chair while reading through the piles of photocopied handouts? Well, there's always the desk to sit on.
(Or maybe she just doesn't work in her desk area)
What about the closed blinds? Wouldn't she be in the dark and without a scenic view to give off a good ambiance to work in? Perhaps she closes them out of habit, or there is no scenic view, or she is afraid of peeping tom neighbors.
(Or maybe there is no reason to open them because she doesn't work in the area)
Now the bare walls might just be due to the fact that she isn't allowed to post things on the wall (but she could always put up a bulletin board), or that she already has everything posted on her desktop background that she doesn't need any more clutter on the walls.
Assuming that K doesn't do the actual work around the area, her desk becomes the place where she could pile up all her stuff. In Filipino, a tambakan. Not that it makes the place devoid of identity claims and behavioral residue, because it actually points to certain characteristics of K which makes her not want to hang out in the said area.
Judging from the number of colorful file folders stacked on the side, it could be deduced that K wants to be organized. She has a good intention of using them to sort out her photocopied readings. But as evident from the stacks of paper lying around, it could be assumed that she is only orderly in theory. She is only conscientious as far as she'd like to be. Having a short attention span makes her bored after the conceptualization stage.
This tendency of hers to be bored makes her not want to stay in her desk area (or even her room) for too long and just use her laptop (or read her readings) somewhere else.
"Karen/friends forever/sweet sixteen."
K values the gift of her friend that's why she's using it as a pencil holder. Or perhaps she really just needed a pencil holder and didn't care much about where the mug came from (or that it's a mug in the first place). But the fact that the mug is situated in a place where it could be seen shows K's emotional side. She possesses things with sentimental value.
This character of hers shows her openness as an individual. Added to this is her abstract and creative personality as shown by the presence of pencils and lead on her desk. She has the inclination to be artistic.
Overall, my snoop exercise on her matches her personality in real life for the most part.
***
Folders and books on the side. Papers randomly stacked in not-so-neat piles. Bag on the table. Chair pushed in. Blinds closed. Bare walls.
The typical scenario in most desk areas of students? Not quite.
Chair pushed in. Blinds closed. Bare walls.
You'd have to wonder how K manages to remember pushing her chair back in when she couldn't even seem to properly organize the clutter on her desk. Perhaps she does it out of habit, or perhaps she doesn't use the chair at all. Not use the chair while reading through the piles of photocopied handouts? Well, there's always the desk to sit on.
(Or maybe she just doesn't work in her desk area)
What about the closed blinds? Wouldn't she be in the dark and without a scenic view to give off a good ambiance to work in? Perhaps she closes them out of habit, or there is no scenic view, or she is afraid of peeping tom neighbors.
(Or maybe there is no reason to open them because she doesn't work in the area)
Now the bare walls might just be due to the fact that she isn't allowed to post things on the wall (but she could always put up a bulletin board), or that she already has everything posted on her desktop background that she doesn't need any more clutter on the walls.
Assuming that K doesn't do the actual work around the area, her desk becomes the place where she could pile up all her stuff. In Filipino, a tambakan. Not that it makes the place devoid of identity claims and behavioral residue, because it actually points to certain characteristics of K which makes her not want to hang out in the said area.
Judging from the number of colorful file folders stacked on the side, it could be deduced that K wants to be organized. She has a good intention of using them to sort out her photocopied readings. But as evident from the stacks of paper lying around, it could be assumed that she is only orderly in theory. She is only conscientious as far as she'd like to be. Having a short attention span makes her bored after the conceptualization stage.
This tendency of hers to be bored makes her not want to stay in her desk area (or even her room) for too long and just use her laptop (or read her readings) somewhere else.
"Karen/friends forever/sweet sixteen."
K values the gift of her friend that's why she's using it as a pencil holder. Or perhaps she really just needed a pencil holder and didn't care much about where the mug came from (or that it's a mug in the first place). But the fact that the mug is situated in a place where it could be seen shows K's emotional side. She possesses things with sentimental value.
This character of hers shows her openness as an individual. Added to this is her abstract and creative personality as shown by the presence of pencils and lead on her desk. She has the inclination to be artistic.
Overall, my snoop exercise on her matches her personality in real life for the most part.
Monday, August 9, 2010
The Yuck Observation
Simple. Silver. Subtle.
This necklace was given to me by a dear high school friend 5 years ago. A round pendant hangs from a thin, long chain. Embossed on it is a floral pattern on one side and symmetrical swirls on the other. Flipping it open, one is surprised to find a clock instead of the supposed contents of a locket. It has stopped ticking, frozen in time.
How can something so beautiful be considered distasteful? The answer lies within. Literally.
Gum. Hair. Dust. Oh wait, that’s masking tape.
Hair on tape. Dust on hair. Tape on dust. Hair-dust-tape. Stuck between two silver enclosures. How fantastically sanitary. And to think that I wear this pendant every single day of every week.
Now before you start judging my sanitation habits (or lack thereof), allow me to explain. And I’m not being defensive. Maybe.
It was only early this year when I noticed how the pendant was opening by itself. The clasp responsible for its closure had already come loose. I was disheartened. After all, it was my favorite necklace and nothing could replace it. Aside from it having sentimental value (the friend who gave it had already gone to Canada for good), it also has the ability to instantly transform any outfit from blah to bongga. I wore it so much, I could be identified with it. When meeting someone for the first time in person, I could probably use it to help him recognize me.
Not wanting to junk the necklace in the deep recesses of my untidy drawer, I immediately got my DIY on and fixed it the way I knew how: yes, tape. A simple rolled masking tape stuck to both sides of the pendant was the temporary fix. But I sure as hell was not ready to live with the consequence of doing so.
Masking tape really bulks up a pendant. It sets it ajar, if only slightly. What used to be tight is now unusually loose. Friends, acquaintances, org mates, seat mates, project mates and so on reach for the pendant from around my neck as though on reflex. For the millionth time, I had been asked whether or not it were a locket with a special note in it, a locket with a picture of my one true love.
Dearest friends, kindly stop fiddling with my pendant, thank you. It annoys me that a) 34837429928301 people ask me about it everyday, b) I have to tell them the story about it everyday, c) 34837429928301 people touch it everyday. Oh, please.
Regarding the (the lack thereof) of sanitation, you might suggest for me to change the masking tape every other day or so. But honestly, who has the time (and concern) to actually do that? The dirt may be found inside the locket, but the real dirt, the real annoyance comes from the outside.
This necklace was given to me by a dear high school friend 5 years ago. A round pendant hangs from a thin, long chain. Embossed on it is a floral pattern on one side and symmetrical swirls on the other. Flipping it open, one is surprised to find a clock instead of the supposed contents of a locket. It has stopped ticking, frozen in time.
How can something so beautiful be considered distasteful? The answer lies within. Literally.
Gum. Hair. Dust. Oh wait, that’s masking tape.
Hair on tape. Dust on hair. Tape on dust. Hair-dust-tape. Stuck between two silver enclosures. How fantastically sanitary. And to think that I wear this pendant every single day of every week.
Now before you start judging my sanitation habits (or lack thereof), allow me to explain. And I’m not being defensive. Maybe.
It was only early this year when I noticed how the pendant was opening by itself. The clasp responsible for its closure had already come loose. I was disheartened. After all, it was my favorite necklace and nothing could replace it. Aside from it having sentimental value (the friend who gave it had already gone to Canada for good), it also has the ability to instantly transform any outfit from blah to bongga. I wore it so much, I could be identified with it. When meeting someone for the first time in person, I could probably use it to help him recognize me.
Not wanting to junk the necklace in the deep recesses of my untidy drawer, I immediately got my DIY on and fixed it the way I knew how: yes, tape. A simple rolled masking tape stuck to both sides of the pendant was the temporary fix. But I sure as hell was not ready to live with the consequence of doing so.
Masking tape really bulks up a pendant. It sets it ajar, if only slightly. What used to be tight is now unusually loose. Friends, acquaintances, org mates, seat mates, project mates and so on reach for the pendant from around my neck as though on reflex. For the millionth time, I had been asked whether or not it were a locket with a special note in it, a locket with a picture of my one true love.
Dearest friends, kindly stop fiddling with my pendant, thank you. It annoys me that a) 34837429928301 people ask me about it everyday, b) I have to tell them the story about it everyday, c) 34837429928301 people touch it everyday. Oh, please.
Regarding the (the lack thereof) of sanitation, you might suggest for me to change the masking tape every other day or so. But honestly, who has the time (and concern) to actually do that? The dirt may be found inside the locket, but the real dirt, the real annoyance comes from the outside.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Oh, Mind Map
Travel. Menu. Life. Party. Dreams. Shopping. Presentation. Planner.
Just some uses for my mind map. What are yours?
Just some uses for my mind map. What are yours?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
On Cognitive Fitness
I am a firm believer in the idea that most of the things you learn in school are outside the classroom. Aside from textbook knowledge, a student needs to experience the dynamism in interacting with people in the real world. Spending too much time memorizing facts and solving mathematical equations might make him too closed in on himself, unable to comfortably relate with others. Not that wanting to excel in the academics is a bad thing, but there has to be a balance between what is scholarly and what is street smart. Someone well-versed in the anatomy of plants could also be a natural in leading a group into a good discussion.
The article by Gilkey and Kilts mentions several ways to improve one’s cognitive fitness through experience, play, patterns, and novelty. There is no better time to start than now, no matter what your age. Although of course, the younger you start, the better chance of gaining more life skills.
As a college senior, I try to immerse myself in as much experiences as I could before I graduate. There are just some things that I have to initiate myself into doing or else I would not have the chance of experiencing them ever again. I am a workaholic, no doubt about it, and I feel that I'm spreading myself too thin most of the time. The time which is supposed to be allotted for sleep is now being used for cramming. As a result, I wake up tired and cranky, dependent on that cup of coffee to give myself a boost.
Aside from sleepless nights putting a strain on my wallet to keep on purchasing brewed coffee, they also put a risk on my physical, emotional and mental health. An average of 4 hours of sleep for around 3 weeks now is not exactly enough to let my body rejuvenate. I'm actually scared that I'm going to start losing my brain cells one by one if I continue doing this.
I need to come up with a more creative way of making the most out of what's left of college life without abusing my body. This calls for an innovative way of managing my time and setting my priorities straight.
The article by Gilkey and Kilts mentions several ways to improve one’s cognitive fitness through experience, play, patterns, and novelty. There is no better time to start than now, no matter what your age. Although of course, the younger you start, the better chance of gaining more life skills.
As a college senior, I try to immerse myself in as much experiences as I could before I graduate. There are just some things that I have to initiate myself into doing or else I would not have the chance of experiencing them ever again. I am a workaholic, no doubt about it, and I feel that I'm spreading myself too thin most of the time. The time which is supposed to be allotted for sleep is now being used for cramming. As a result, I wake up tired and cranky, dependent on that cup of coffee to give myself a boost.
Aside from sleepless nights putting a strain on my wallet to keep on purchasing brewed coffee, they also put a risk on my physical, emotional and mental health. An average of 4 hours of sleep for around 3 weeks now is not exactly enough to let my body rejuvenate. I'm actually scared that I'm going to start losing my brain cells one by one if I continue doing this.
I need to come up with a more creative way of making the most out of what's left of college life without abusing my body. This calls for an innovative way of managing my time and setting my priorities straight.
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Wow Observation
A kaleidoscope vacation in the islands. Piña colada dreams by the beach. A sunset escapade in the sun. I’m not talking about a weekend trip in the Bahamas, I’m talking about my funky tote bag from Loop.
I’ve been using it on a daily basis for two years now and I have no plans of ditching it for a new bag anytime soon. I use it for school, for trips to the mall, for anything, really. Its trendy exterior and roomy interior are enough reasons for me to keep on using it as my default bag.
Below are some of the characteristics which make it stand out:
It is a vibrant mix of colors. Greens, oranges and yellows in varying tones are scattered on the main body of the bag. Strips of crimson red run along its sides as they extend outwards, serving as the bag’s shoulder straps. Mint green florals printed on a highlighter red background make up the front and side pockets. A peek at the inside reveals a purple interior studded with lilac octopuses squirting green and yellow dots.
I’ve been using it on a daily basis for two years now and I have no plans of ditching it for a new bag anytime soon. I use it for school, for trips to the mall, for anything, really. Its trendy exterior and roomy interior are enough reasons for me to keep on using it as my default bag.
Below are some of the characteristics which make it stand out:
It is a vibrant mix of colors. Greens, oranges and yellows in varying tones are scattered on the main body of the bag. Strips of crimson red run along its sides as they extend outwards, serving as the bag’s shoulder straps. Mint green florals printed on a highlighter red background make up the front and side pockets. A peek at the inside reveals a purple interior studded with lilac octopuses squirting green and yellow dots.
It has the grooviest seaside patterns. Where shells, lobsters and octopuses make up a fashion statement.
It is made out of canvas with a hint of leather. Predominantly structured with cloth, it is eco-friendly. Leather simply accents and adds texture.
It is made out of canvas with a hint of leather. Predominantly structured with cloth, it is eco-friendly. Leather simply accents and adds texture.
It is a roomy tote bag. From notebooks, to soiled clothes, it expands considerably to accommodate almost anything. No need to worry about breakage because after all, it is made out of cloth.
Pockets, pockets, pockets! Keep knickknacks organized with huge pockets lined out in front.
These characteristics can be grouped into the following categories:
APPEARANCE (color and design)
MATERIAL (canvas and leather)
FORM (expandable)
FUNCTION (as a tote bag, it holds things)
A marriage of beautiful form and function, this bag will make people enjoy using it. As with most products, it first has to be visually appealing for it to grab attention. Then, it has to be able to hold in a considerable amount of things for it to actually be usable.
At the end of the day, it will be up to the person using the bag to determine whether or not he prioritizes aesthetics over function and vice versa.
These characteristics can be grouped into the following categories:
APPEARANCE (color and design)
MATERIAL (canvas and leather)
FORM (expandable)
FUNCTION (as a tote bag, it holds things)
A marriage of beautiful form and function, this bag will make people enjoy using it. As with most products, it first has to be visually appealing for it to grab attention. Then, it has to be able to hold in a considerable amount of things for it to actually be usable.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Five Minds for the Future
Globalization is here to stay whether we like it or not. Our world constantly changes, constantly reinvents itself. It does not wait for anyone. If we want to stay on track, we have to keep up with the times. Our view of the world is not the same today as it was 10 years ago. Everything has to be in context of the present situation.
Schools are often guilty of not changing their lesson plans, imposing on their students seemingly irrelevant information. After all, how will it benefit our lives if we knew when a certain emperor decides to behead his unfaithful wife? Facts are not going to teach us anything if they cannot be used in everyday life. What we need is a transformation of the current education system. At the very least, the way we treat the information today’s education system gives us.
Professor Howard Gardner mentions that “much of our education has to be self-education” and I could not agree more. Gone are the days when students have to be spoon-fed, only to realize that they are not equipped with enough practical skills to get them through life. The things taught to them are merely the basic foundations that will help them with future endeavors. It is really up to the students to make sense out of the knowledge they have, to to mold themselves into the persons they want to become in relation to others.
If anything, we should learn to have a goal in which everything we do is directed towards achieving it. Mistakes are inevitable in the process but it is only through acknowledging them that we become better individuals. Of course, it would be better to aspire for long-term goals because they imbibe in us the discipline needed to carry on. We learn to be responsible for our own actions.
Schools are often guilty of not changing their lesson plans, imposing on their students seemingly irrelevant information. After all, how will it benefit our lives if we knew when a certain emperor decides to behead his unfaithful wife? Facts are not going to teach us anything if they cannot be used in everyday life. What we need is a transformation of the current education system. At the very least, the way we treat the information today’s education system gives us.
Professor Howard Gardner mentions that “much of our education has to be self-education” and I could not agree more. Gone are the days when students have to be spoon-fed, only to realize that they are not equipped with enough practical skills to get them through life. The things taught to them are merely the basic foundations that will help them with future endeavors. It is really up to the students to make sense out of the knowledge they have, to to mold themselves into the persons they want to become in relation to others.
If anything, we should learn to have a goal in which everything we do is directed towards achieving it. Mistakes are inevitable in the process but it is only through acknowledging them that we become better individuals. Of course, it would be better to aspire for long-term goals because they imbibe in us the discipline needed to carry on. We learn to be responsible for our own actions.
Monday, June 21, 2010
a creative title for a creative entry
Going to school isn't exactly exciting. There is nothing appealing about trying to digest outdated information while the teacher drones on about topics he thinks are the most useful things in the world. Just a look at the students' faces is enough to extinguish any creative energy left in the classroom. Students are made to memorize identical information, follow an identical set of rules, and reach for a seemingly singular goal. They are made to think and act like one another. Like clones if you will. And this definitely does not encourage a creative approach to life.
Students are at a crucial point in their life where they are searching for their identity. They want to be inspired, to be motivated. But how could this be achieved if society only gives them a limited view of what’s out there? Ken Robinson mentions in his article The Arts and Education that classes such as Math, Science, and Reading are prioritized because they would supply economic growth. True, but I don't think any nation could run on mathematicians and scientists alone. The way I understand it, these core classes are only meant to lay a sturdy foundation for its future leaders, who in turn will still be the ones responsible for breathing life into the structure. It's like a carpenter who does all the woodwork of the house first before the actual inhabitants could turn the house into a home.
Creativity and the so-called scholarly professions should not be treated separately. They should instead be integrated into one another. As Robinson states it: “Creativity is possible in every area of human activity.” Everything we say and do are all part of a creative process. What is asked from us might be similar, but how we’ll act on it will definitely vary depending on our understanding of it.
At the end of the day, it is still up to the person to live his life creatively. After all, creativity comes from within.
Source: The Arts and Education: Changing Track by Sir Ken Robinson
Students are at a crucial point in their life where they are searching for their identity. They want to be inspired, to be motivated. But how could this be achieved if society only gives them a limited view of what’s out there? Ken Robinson mentions in his article The Arts and Education that classes such as Math, Science, and Reading are prioritized because they would supply economic growth. True, but I don't think any nation could run on mathematicians and scientists alone. The way I understand it, these core classes are only meant to lay a sturdy foundation for its future leaders, who in turn will still be the ones responsible for breathing life into the structure. It's like a carpenter who does all the woodwork of the house first before the actual inhabitants could turn the house into a home.
Creativity and the so-called scholarly professions should not be treated separately. They should instead be integrated into one another. As Robinson states it: “Creativity is possible in every area of human activity.” Everything we say and do are all part of a creative process. What is asked from us might be similar, but how we’ll act on it will definitely vary depending on our understanding of it.
At the end of the day, it is still up to the person to live his life creatively. After all, creativity comes from within.
Source: The Arts and Education: Changing Track by Sir Ken Robinson
i want you to get to know me
I am superficial. I like things beautiful, instant, perfect. Why settle for less when you can have the best? At the surface, at least. I call myself Kaz instead of Karina just because it sounds cooler and I won't have to share my name with a dozen others. I have sacrificed a lot for the sake of superficiality in the past 20 years. Time, money, friends, to name a few. I couldn't say that they were completely worth it because anything superficial is fleeting, momentary, easily lost. Just like that.
Recently though, I realized I didn't want that. I didn't want to end up selfish, spoiled, rotten. Like a decomposing fruit, decayed to its core. For once, I wanted to feel what it was like to do what I wanted to do without anything holding me back. I wanted to be free. I wanted to just live.
And I did.
So hello world, this is Kaz Fuentes writing for her COM 170 class. Here's to hoping for a sem that actually lasts :)
Recently though, I realized I didn't want that. I didn't want to end up selfish, spoiled, rotten. Like a decomposing fruit, decayed to its core. For once, I wanted to feel what it was like to do what I wanted to do without anything holding me back. I wanted to be free. I wanted to just live.
And I did.
So hello world, this is Kaz Fuentes writing for her COM 170 class. Here's to hoping for a sem that actually lasts :)
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