Do we have free will?

From Open Culture I came across this excerpted video about neuroscience research and what it tells us about the choices we make.  In discussing Existentialism and Kafka's The Metamorphosis, this video segment provides a counterargument to the belief that we are free as individuals to make choices separate from religious, cultural, and environmental factors.

Regardless of your beliefs, the video entitled Neuroscience and Free Will will provide information that you may find useful as we generate essay topics over The Metamorphosis.  Please take a look and be ready to discuss.  From the Open Culture website you can access the entire video “Unconscious determinants of free decisions in the human brain.”

Technology's Effect On Your Brain

Students have any number of electronic and digital distractions in their lives on a daily basis.  The discussion among educators and parents seems to center around how to best balance what is clearly embedded in our kids and student's lives (texting, video games, facebook). 

In an in-depth article by the New York Times titled Growing Up Digital, Wired For Distraction, Matt Richtel shows the struggle parents and educators have in confronting the use of technology by children, and most importantly for me, the effects on their brains.  I think this will prove worthwhile reading for anyone with children or who works with children.   For me personally, we will be using the TV much less in the days to come.

And just for fun, any students who happen to read this article and comment on it before the end of Thanksgiving break will find a nice surprise in their  lives when we return.

English Teachers For Harry Potter

Much discussion has been had by English teachers over the worth of the Harry Potter series.  Many of my colleagues feel the series has had too much of an effect on our youth for the past several years.  Mainly, their arguments center around its lack of serious literary merit and its pull away from what we in the business call "The Classics."

For my part, I have been thrilled with the interest the series has generated in some of my students.  Specifically, and most importantly, students are READING!  If they love this book, I know they will look for others to read.  Also, I now have a link to much of the literary terminology that I discuss with my classes; It is much easier  to talk in terms of symbolism, plot constructs, and allusions.  In the same way that the original Star Wars connected to Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth, so now Harry Potter allows me to discuss overriding archetypes in other pieces of "classical literature."

With that, I'm including The New York Times review of the film.

Interesting Site For Thursday

Here is Jasmine's link for class tomorrow.  Please take a look and explore.

Teaching Meets Technology

Recently in staff discussions at Manitou Springs High School, teachers have been weighing the best ways to either incorporate or discourage the use of new technologies in their classrooms.  Specifically, social networking sites and the use of cell phones seems to be predominant areas of concern as arguments center around effective use of class time and engaging students interest.  In this New York Time's article by Jaques Stienberg, a Northwestern University professor has found a creative way to use technology to make class time more effective and relevant.

Tips For Effective Learing

Daniel Coyle, author of The Talent Code, continually studies successful people in all fields: music, sports, entertainment, business, etc.  He finds that there are certain underlying habits among those who have reached the top of their careers.  For students he has included three helpful tips on his site that will be of benefit to all of us.  I would encourage you to look at these three practices that he titles "Cliff Notes To A Faster Brain," and ask which ones you currently do and how easy it would be to incorporate the ones you don't.

Tuesday Site

Here is the link to Zeb's site that he would like us to look at for class discussion on Tuesday.  Enjoy.

English III Honors: Kafka's The Metamorphosis

For English III Honors, over Thanksgiving break you are to read Kafka's The Metamorphosis.  If you click on the title of the novella, or here, it will take you to an online version of the text.  Also, click this link to access a Pdf version of the story. If you are feeling old-fashioned you could also check a copy out of the library or just head over to your local book store.  It should not take you long to get through the book, but you may run into problems with the allegory itself.

Before, during, or after reading you will want to explore the concept of Existentialism.  Stanford University has a plethora of information that will probably make you dizzy, but the web site All About Philosophy has a truncated version you may like better.   Feel free to also do your own search as well.

After break we will discuss the novel and the writing assignment to go along with your reading.

Leah's Topic for Monday

For English III Honors, here is Leah's site that she would like us to look at for discussion on Monday.  Please take the time to browse through and have some thoughts for discussion.  Have a great weekend. 

John Waters on Contemporary Art

For you English III Honors students, here is a short video clip of John Waters talking about the purpose of  Contemporary Art.  It runs about four minutes but provides an interesting perspective that might be helpful for your essays that are due on Tuesday. 

Books, Books, and more Books

Again from Open Culture, a time lapse film that celebrates books.  Very creative and at under three minutes its a quick and thoughtful look at the effects the printed word can have on us.

Creating Kindness In Schools

With the recent awareness about the bullying that occurs in schools, I thought this article from The New York Times added a great and easy tool that could help combat the problem.  I especially enjoyed its focus on empathy and compassion, two traits necessary for a better society.

Interactive Documentary

Found this great link to an online, interactive documentary called Out My Window.  The stories being told are thought provoking, which only adds to the creativity of the project.  It comes from Open Culture which is one of the most thoughtful sites I have come across.  Recommend you check out both sites.