The Why, The How, and The Arts
Posted by ejallen on January 10, 2009
Here I am in my office. On a Saturday, contemplating a blog post.
The Why and How
I was watching a Michael Wesh video today. And as always, it is a thought provoking video. In it he uses the phrase “someone who knows why will put up with almost any how.” That got me thinking.
The Arts
Which gets me back to why I am in school today. Well, we are hosting what is called the All Catholic Band Festival. This festival has about 90 high school musicians participating from around the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The concert is tomorrow, but yesterday and today, they are having all day rehearsals. Anyone who says that kids today don’t have long attention spans should watch these kids or any students involved in the performing arts.
These kids know why, so they will tolerate and even enjoy the how. They sound incredible. They are working collaboratively. They are assuming each of their roles on the team. They are producing a collective sound that is incredible. Can we get more 21st century than that?
January 10th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
@ Ed
Sounds like an interesting concept. Glad to see the schools in the archdiocese enjoy collaborating.
[Reply]
January 10th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Thanks Charlie!
[Reply]
January 10th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Hi Ed,
Robin E. pointed me to your blog and I’m so glad. I enjoyed watching the video link and now you’ve got me thinking. I think one of the biggest shifts that happens when we start using these web 2.0 tools with our students is that we begin to see our students as part of our collective intelligence instead of the “young minds to mold” of the past. I also like what he said about helping our students become participatory individuals (one of my biggest challenges this year!)
Thanks again,
Cathy
[Reply]
January 10th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Hi Ed. Welcome to the blogosphere.
I’ve tagged you for the Seven Things meme.
My post is here http://shelhart.blogspot.com/2009/01/seven-things-you-dont-really-need-to.html
Have fun with it!
Scott
[Reply]
January 11th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Ed,
Thanks for sending me to Michael Wesch. Very thought provoking, Have a great day!
Bill
[Reply]