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First Week of Class

education_mechanical.jpg

"Education is not a mechanical system. It's a human system."-Sir Ken Robinson 

Learning Objectives:

  • Reflect on your own mental processes, preferences, and struggles.
  • Communicate information about yourself.
  • Manage your learning time effectively.

Agenda:

  1. Read Introduction.
  2. Watch Sir Ken Robinson's talk about education.
  3. Read Mindset and Thinking Process
  4. Complete Discussion and Assignments

Introduction

There are a few tasks and learning topics before we actually start learning about sustainability. Rather than using class time, I expect that you can accomplish and learn these things without assistance. These assignments will prepare you for the learning experience ahead. 

This assignments should be completed by September 1. Following assignments, during the semester, should be completed prior to the following class period. Feel free to email me if you have any questions at tshealy@vt.edu.

Sir Ken Robinson's Perspective on Education

Watch Sir Ken Robinson's talk Links to an external site. about education.

Robinson brings up three things:

  1. Human beings are diverse. 
  2. Curiosity is the engine of achievement.
  3. Education is not a mechanical system 

My goal for you, in this class, is based on Robinson's three points. I hope that you recognize infrastructure, like education, needs to provide for diverse groups and communities. I hope you begin to think of engineering as a creative process, and develop skills that enable you to learn after the traditional learning process is complete. Last, my goal for myself is to facilitate the learning process, which Robinson suggests is more than simply lecturing.

Your Mindset and Thinking Process

Read the following articles about Download Fixed vs Growth Mindset

 and  Download Top-down and bottom-up design.  

Discussion:

Post your answers on Discussion 01 First week of class for the following questions:

  1. The first article you read was about fixed and growth mindsets. What aspects of the growth and fixed mindsets can you identify in your personal history? In what areas do you feel fixed?
  2. The second article was about top-down thinkers and bottom-up thinkers. If you had to classify yourself into one of these two groups, which would it be?

Assignments:

References: