Personal Learning Environments: EDM613 Wk1 Reading Post

After reading the first three chapters of The Art of Possibility, chapter one stood out to me the most. The description of how people think was very well done. "Our minds are also designed to string events into story lines, whether or not there is any connection between the parts," (Zander & Zander, 2002, pg 14). This concept is crucial in the critical thinking process. I know there are seven multiple intelligences, but I like to simplify it into two major camps. The numbers people string events based on patterns while the word people create the strings to connect the events.

As an English teacher, I have given my students many exercises in stringing events. Also, as any piece of literature (poem, story, novel) is read, the same process is being done. The reader must string together the characters, setting, plot lines, etc. to understand the entire piece of work. Those who excel in the process do so because of practice.

Chapter one also offered a common mind puzzle to demonstrate the thinking process. The puzzle asks to draw 4 straight lines connecting all the dots without lifting the pencil off the paper.

After struggling for some time, most give up - thinking it can't be done. "The frames our minds create define - and confine - what we perceived to be possible," (Zander & Zander, 2002, pg 14). How we look at things is a big indicator as to how successful we will be in dealing with them. Once confidence is established, as experience increases, success will also increase. Again, it takes practice in whatever is being done. Chapter one was all about understanding the situation well enough to think beyond it. It is only when we are comfortable that we can really create. Perhaps that's why high school students rarely amaze their teachers. They are being forced to perform in settings where they are not comfortable. Below shows how thinking beyond the situation solves the puzzle.