Week 2 Review: Moving at the Speed of Creativity
a blog by Wesley Fryer
In June of 2016, Wesley Fryer wrote an article on his blog about Balancing Choices and Freedom for Happiness and Satisfaction. As a future educator in a growing technology age, the concept of instant gratification is one that will confront me, and other young teachers like me, as we enter into our careers. Though this article is short, it does shed some light on the importance of knowing that choice is not necessarily directly related to happiness.
Everyday we are bombarded with choices regarding what to wear, listen to, purchase, or eat, just to name a few. I enjoy the perspective that he initially gives on the choices we make with simple things, like notifications on our phone. By being aware of our habits as consumers of choice, we are forced to begin "thinking intentionally about the ways (we) choose to potentially be distracted and redirected during each day."
As future teachers, it is our responsibility to not only understand this constant need for choice and virtual rewards, but also to understand the expectations of our students who spend an "increasing amount of time each day looking at and cradling their smartphones, tablets and laptops." |
If we help our students to understand the idea that choice may not always be beneficial, then we have the opportunity to open their eyes to an existing paradox in our culture. Barry Schwartz proposed a thesis as to why more choices do not necessarily lead to more happiness. Wesley included this video in his post and I really enjoy the perspective that Schwartz gives. Check it out!
If you are interested in learning more about The Paradox of Choice, there is also an audiobook
or this great 10 Years Later analysis by Paul Hiebert.
or this great 10 Years Later analysis by Paul Hiebert.
While some choices are good and our students develop through being able to make decisions for themselves, when provided with too many options it will most likely "increase their expectations for how good their future options will be...which means less satisfaction with results even when they are good results."
What do I do as a teacher?
This article is a great beginning point to start thinking about the idea of balancing choice with actual happiness in your classroom. Moving at the Speed of Creativity has a lot of helpful posts regarding new ways to look at the technological problems (and good things too) that have started to impact our culture. As teachers, we are called to help our students learn how to negotiate all of the choices around them in a way that will benefit them the most now and as they pursue their future aspirations.
More choices, which would seem to offer us more freedom, do not necessarily lead to more happiness." |
If you would like to see more from Wesley and Moving at the Speed of Creativity:
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@burtnessenglish 9/2/2016