keepitsafe

Making Thinking Visible  The Mind is constantly fulfilling two functions - gathering information and processing it. As much as these two actions seem to be different, they are happening in a union. Gathering information uses various perceptive skill, and rely on the use of senses. With time using senses to learn has been deemed of lower importance than cognition (processing), as we see gathering and processing as separate functions, with processing being of higher value.  In this context, I look at maps created for children. Maps are mandatory tools for navigation, they develop a sense of position, and identity with the surroundings. The maps I see around me that are created for children are created with one focus - processing large amounts of geographical information. Most of these maps don't engage in the nuances of gathering information while using perception or sensory tools. Perception is very often an undervalued learning tool that is not visible!  Here are a few ex...

In the 2 weeks at school, we spoke of many things related to learning and the mind, and varied philosophies of thought. One of the discussions was set around the difference between western and oriental thought on work and learning.One of the stark differences for me, was the emphasis on the empirical and verifiable in western thought, and the emphasis on continuous and internal in oriental cultures.     I have been intrigued by the concept of ikigai for a while now and discussions made me revisit my interest.   I kigai  is a  Japanese  concept that means "a reason for being."  Everyone, according to  Japanese   culture, has an  ikigai . Finding it requires a deep and often lengthy search of self. Such a search is important to the cultural belief that discovering one's  ikigai  brings  satisfaction  and  meaning to life . [1]  Examples include work, hobbies and raising children.  Whet...