Reflecting Upon Faith

February 23, 2009 at 11:58 am (Cath-Tec1)

The term religion is defined in numerous ways, being a member of Marist community, I have been privileged enough to build upon my knowledge about Catholicism everyday. My last few days in Cath. Tec have been based upon grasping knowledge and information on Bible and its contents. My education is not only based upon learning the fundamentals but also applying them in real life scenarios. The most beneficial part of my education is based on the basis of reflecting on my learning, everyday in my Cath. Tec I’ am pushed to strive for academic excellence, moreover I am expected to go beyond my teachers expectations.As I highlighted earlier, reflecting is the key to my learning and today I have been posed a couple of questions based upon my learning of catholic education.

First question looks at the aspect of linking beatitudes to parables but then also relating them to real life situation. -”What current real life story do you think could be used as a parable to teach a specific beatitude for Christian followers?” When I come to think about the term parable, instant words that pop up in my mind are based upon, stories containing a moral (deep meaning). Similarly In my opinion, beatitudes are a cluster of words which put together highlight the pathway, which leads to heaven.

When I close my eyes and visualise this question, my mind simultaneously shows me an image of Glen McGrath. McGrath was a Australian cricketing legend, he is an individual who in recent time has travelled through a road of sorrow, especially after loosing his wife to breast cancer, much rather hiding away his own sadness, he has devoted himself to helping others suffering from breast cancer. He has worked day and night providing financle and emotional help to those in need, in more recent days he has shown the glimpse of light to all by issuing the statement, “Together we can make a difference.”

“Jane McGrath fought recurrent battles with breast cancer. Glenn and Jane jointly established the McGrath Foundation, for which Glenn McGrath utilized his public figure to raise money to fund more Breast Care Nurses in rural and regional Australia, alongside educate young women to become more aware of this horrible disease. Sadly Jane lost a bravely fought battle on 22 June 2008 from complications following a cancer surgery.”

For a human being to be so humble and put aside a loss, of an individual who was meant to be a life-long partner and come out to promote the awareness for the diseases, really is quite inspirational and motivational for all. Events and actions that occurred in Glenn’s life certainly highlight the beatitude, which states, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“These are people who are humble and who do not think of themselves more highly than they ought. Jesus once said that whoever humbles himself as a little child would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. In the book of Proverbs we read that a man’s pride will bring him down, but a lowly spirit will bring him honour. “
Change of topic, now it has come upon to look at the second question which was posed to me – “If you were given the opportunity to write a chapter for the bible what would you write about? What messages would you want your readers to take away?”

As I read this question, I’m reminded of the saying, “Treat others, as you want them to treat you because what goes around comes around”. So certainly in my aspect if I were to be given an opportunity to write a chapter in bible, I would compose it based around the topic ‘respecting humanity’. Much of the content, would be clustered, based upon things, such as, taking note of other’s perspective, giving individuals an equal right to express their own opinion and moreover respecting others as human-beings. My messages would be depicted via using the means of examples, as it would make this theme much more easier to understand.

The reason behind my decision to go along with this topic was because if humans are able to understand the deep meaning of this topic, indirectly it will erase terms such as violence, murder, and terrorism. Meaningful understanding of this content would also help in constructing good, healthy relationship amongst individuals, but also this theme would set upon the foundation, which will help a human-being develop socially and emotionally.

“Respect is taking into consideration the views and desires of others, and including it into your decisions. When you respect another, you factor and weigh their thoughts and desires into your planning and balance it into your decision-making.”

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Learning Vs. Passion: Tight call

February 13, 2009 at 8:28 am (Uncategorized)

Lets embark on a journey to explore the contradiction in between learning and the passion of the teacher, when it comes to clarifying which pathway leads to more successful schooling year.

This idea tended to come, in a conversation with Dean Groom on his blog Leadership 2.0. His blog by far is the most influential, and it’s certainly the one, which will tend to have a major impact in my near coming future. His blog is based upon the question ‘what makes a great leader ‘, further more he highlights the aspect based upon differentiating in between productive and reproductive- two of major qualities of a leader.

“Reproductive requires students to repeat a set performance to required standard. Productive requires students to apply their knowledge and skills to new situations that may be unique in that context.”

Alongside he also touches upon the topic of curriculum-leaders and the variety of qualities they should obtain. “Skilled curriculum-leaders are using frameworks based upon: to allow self-instruction, intensive reproductive learning workshops, workplace and authentic experiences to apply productive learning.”This part of his blog is the real turning point, and the foundation based upon the question-

“How do students know that what they are doing in one way of learning or another is ‘better’. I don’t mean more interesting (less boring), but better. Is it the learning or the passion of the teacher? If you get a great teacher who ‘gets it’ – does that mean a better experience…”- Dean Groom

From my perspective, if a student is blessed enough to be taught by a passionate, well academic and a loving teacher, then that revolves ordinary schooling days into remarkable, enjoyable and the most fun-loving experiences. These experiences are the ones, which do get reflected upon the most, and in future those journeys end up becoming the real driving strength (motivation). People outside may ask how am I able to answer such a question, well its quite simple for me because in past I have been privileged enough to be taught by such wonderful human-beings.

Whilst conducting my research I came across a writing material- what makes a passionate teacher? It is based on a book called ‘The Passionate Teacher’ by Robert L. Fried, and it highlights the fundamentals on aspects of being a fervent teacher. I personally found it quite extravagant and would highly recommend people to read the essay.
 
But off course on the other hand lies the aspect of all knowledge, education, content, and learning. Those who are quite studious (nerds) choose to go along this path, as for them it’s all about study, and claiming bookish knowledge. It’s these sorts of people who never get to see the more enjoyable side of education. But rightly from their point of view this method tends to suit them as they are receiving knowledge and education 24/7, with no distraction.

But then again how to differentiate in between which is better, from the eyes of a student I look at the aspect of the term ‘balance’. “Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” Balance certainly plays an important role in my life and that’s what I look for in such situation. I’ am acquainted with the fact learning is important, after all that’s what schooling is about, but the way in which learning is delivered, takes the topic to a whole new level. Alongside learning, the passion of a teacher set upon the basis for the success in a study- room.

In our society today we are confounded with many circumstances, where schools and teacher are continuously experimenting with variety of methods. From my perspective the best methods look further beyond-practical life exercises, language / literacy, mathematics and cultural subjects. Much rather they work upon trying to develop students into life time learners, who are able to use the rudiments learned in a classroom to real life situations. For a student to identify the method he/she using is the best is by reflecting upon their own learning and question them themselves on things like- what I’m learning is it the best? Am I achieving marks, from which I will be proud of? Are there any other ways of learning such fundamentals? Am I gaining enough knowledge? Am I able to show my understanding in other ways?…

“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he/she will continue the learning process as long as he/she lives.”

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Visualizing Well Beyond Dreams…

February 7, 2009 at 7:51 am (Cath-Tec1, Uncategorized)

As we welcome 2009, we prepare to write another chapter in our book of Life. Time that lies ahead undoubtedly is challenging and complex, however its those around me (students and teachers) who make me mentally and emotionally strong to face such multifaceted situations with a simile on my face. It’s an absolute privilege to be a part of such an enthusiastic and an intellectual study group that I have been gifted with this year. My goals have been set in place, and I’m pumped (all prepared) for this schooling year, with a rage of excitement running through my blood. There might be many hurdles that lie in front of me, but I can assure each and everyone of you I will keep trying until I’m able to stand up be proud of myself and my achievements. “Each goal is a checkpoint, on the road which is bound to Wonderland, place where success is smelt in the air.”-Tanuj

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As much as I’m keyed-up to start this ‘PBL’ schooling year, conversely we have got off to a rather slow start, with few rooms still being constructed. Anyhow who says we need luxurious study rooms to be able to start on our projects, as we have slowly, but steadily started to gain knowledge about skills we would be required to be equipped with in our near coming future.

This blog post of mine looks at a particular question posed to me by my CST (religion)/IST (information software techn.) facilitators – Karyn West and Laura Cavalaro. Question posed to me looks at the aspect of me visualising what if bible (sacred book for Christians) was never written. Yes you heard it right, I’m on a quest to find out- how life and times would be if Bible was never written. It’s these sorts of questions that require plenty of lateral thinking, and certainly visualizing well beyond lavishing dreams. At the first thought this question sounds insane, then again if you take time out to position this question in a real life scenario, answer will unquestionably come onto your lips. In my case I imagined the thought of aborigines and other indigenous tribal groups who are placed all around the globe. Their faith and culture being passed onto from generation to generation via using the means of story telling, artwork and other materials.

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“Indigenous communities keep their faith and cultural heritage alive by passing their knowledge, arts, rituals and performances from one generation to another, speaking and teaching languages, protecting cultural materials, sacred and significant sites, and objects.”

 In past many tribal groups have made the use of ‘Dreamtime Stories’ in order to depict the message about life, to their own young ones. From their perspective story telling is an enjoyable mean, as far as learning about universe in concerned. Indirectly all the learning about life and universe is nothing more than teachings about faith, and the main characters and settings in the story revolving into their god (religion).

In most of Dreamtime Stories…

“The Ancestor spirits came to the earth in human form and as they moved through the land, they created the animals, plants, rocks and other forms of the land that we know today. They also created the relationships between groups and individuals to the land, the animals and other people.

Once the ancestor spirits had created the world, they changed into trees, the stars, rocks, watering holes or other objects. These are the sacred places of Aboriginal culture and have special properties.”

So in my opinion I would suggest if we were not to have a bible written, most likely the knowledge of events that occurred in past, that are regarded as holy acts in the religion of Christianity would have been passed down from one generation to the other, by telling stories. From another aspect many of the significant historical events would be be lost and historians would have struggled to collect such knowledge based on evidence. Other materials such artworks and paintings would act as evidence for those stories. However with this method plenty of religious events and meaning would be lost, as many false rumours would end up joining stories, furthermore many stories would be forgotten over a period of time. Moreover, many individuals would not have as much respect for Christianity, and would end up questioning their own faith and believe, as it would be hard believe in things when blanket of lie would cover over truth. In the end everything would be disorganised and all over the place.

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