Final Element Paper

So we are all on the same page (I have deviated from the March calendar I distributed a few weeks ago . . . imagine that!), here are the essays for The Element.

4.1 - write about an epiphany moment

4.2 - interview someone in their element (due March 30).

4.3 - mini-research paper (due April 2)

Here is the research paper assignment

Element Final Essay

Monday's Assignment

Please leave two responses per chapter in place of today's discussion. I've left some examples.

Thanks

Here are the chapters --

Ch 7: Do You Feel Lucky

Ch 8: Somebody Help Me

Ch 9: Is it Too Late

And if you need a little pick-me-up, watch this video --

Friday's assignment

Discussion Time Round 2:

Part 1:

Choose three of these quotes and questions from the book to respond to from Ch. 5 & 6 of The Element:

Chapter Five -

P. 102 - "If left to my own devices -- if I didn't have to worry about making a living or what others thought of me -- what am I most drawn to doing?" Answer this.

P. 111 - What domain and field fit you best? Explain.

P. 113 - "Often breakthrough ideas come about when someone makes a connection between different ways of thinking, sometimes across different domains." Can you think of an example? (include a link if you can).

P. 116 - "Finding your tribe brings the luxury of talking shop, of bouncing ideas around, of sharing and comparing techniques, and of indulging your enthusiasms or hostilities for the same things." Where do you find your tribe? Who is in it? Explain what it's like when you're with them.

P. 128 - "Tribe membership as I define it here helps people become more themselves, leading them toward a greater sense of personal identity." Has this ever happened to you? Explain briefly.

Chapter Six -

What are the various 'barriers' that Robinson claims keeps us from finding our elements?

What barriers are keeping you from your element right now? Explain.

P. 139 - "When people close to you discourage you from taking a particular path, they usually believe they are doing it for your own good. There are some with less noble reasons, but most believe they know what's best. And the fact is that the average office worker probably does have more financial security than the average jazz trumpeter. But it is difficult to feel accomplished when you're not accomplishing something that matters to you." Thoughts?

What is the danger of 'group think'?

Part 2:

See if you can apply some of the main ideas discussed so far in The Element to people out there in the real world. List one or two examples and then briefly explain what concept from The Element they illustrate.

Thank you!

Discussion Time

So far, Ken Robinson has urged us to follow our passions and discover our elements. He believes that when you love what you do, especially when it is for a living, you are completely in your element. He urges everyone to do this.

However, not everyone buys this advice. Read the following links to two articles that disagree with this type of thinking. By the way, Robinson isn't the only one to offer this advice either: Steve Jobs did the same thing in his graduation speech at Stanford several years ago.

After reading the two articles, leave a post stating what you agree or disagree with in each article. Use direct quotes and fully support why you either agree or disagree.

Finally, respond to two other posts left by your classmates.

Thanks.

Here are the links:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/frederickallen/2011/10/12/steve-jobs-bad-career-advice/

and

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/10/follow-your-bliss-sort-of/246350/

If you're interested, here is the Steve Jobs speech that the articles refer to.

Wallwisher Creative Examples

Here is my Sticky-Note Book Report Blog

Follow the link below --

http://dracula211.blogspot.com/

-- and it will take you to the blog and my hypertext review for my Sticky-Note Book Report.

Due Dates for March