Daniel+Pink

=DANIEL PINK--AUTHOR, LEADER, CONSULTANT,SPEAKER FOR THE NEW WORLD OF OUR PRESENT TIME. DANIEL AS AUTHORED THREE BOOKS:=

A __WHOLE NEW MIND, JOHNNY BUNKO, AND A FREE NATION:THE FUTURE OF WORKING FOR YOURSELF.__MR. PINK IS A LEADING ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE IN EDUCATION AND THE TRUE WORLD OF WORK. HE ADVOCATES USING THE RIGHT BRAIN OVER THE OLD TRADITIONAL LEFT BRAIN TRAINING TAUGHT IN SCHOOL TODAY. MR. PINK STRONGLY ADVISES THAT OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND OUR WORK ATMOSPHERE NEED BE OPENED UP TO MORE CREATIVE SKILLS AND LEARNING STANDARDS THAT WILL AIDE IN THE WORLD OF ABUNDANCE, ASIA, AND AUTOMATION. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE TAUGHT TO MAKE CONCLUSIONS AND CREATE NEW KNOWLEDGE AND IMPLEMENT THE USE OF ALL NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE NEW GLOBAL WORLD. IN THE 21ST CENTURY, ALL NEED TO ENHANCE LEARNING, INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, AND PROMOTE CREATIVITY.(ST).

I really liked the piano stairs short flick from youtube that is on Daniel Pink's website. It is not surprising that people would want to try something unique even if it involved more effort. More creative thinking is what the world needs. I had not realized that right brain thinking was needed to succeed in today's automated world. It makes me a little curious to know what the six aptitudes we need to use. I am a little skeptical because this sounds a little like a new fad to sell books and make money because it is a new concept. DM

In previous readings, it seems as though Daniel Pink is a leader in educational change for 21st century learning skills. I had never really thought much about right brain thinking being crucial to enhance learning and employ new technology usage. I agree that to succeed in our global world, future leaders need to learn to "think outside the box". I would like to learn more about Daniel Pink's philosophy and maybe hear him as a speaker someday. BG

Although I'm not a manga fan I found the trailer for //Johnny Bunko// quite enticing. I think the format would attract attention from high school and college age students. I plan on reading it and finding out about the six essential lessons for thriving in the world of work. I also like the piano stairs video. We all need to remember how far a little fun and imagination can take us. JD

I have to say that what Pink is saying doesn't seem like anything revolutionary. It's how he's saying it that captures the attention and imagination. Pink has taken a traditional idea, taking advantage of right brain thinking in traditionally left brain fields, and melded it with the concepts of a 21st century global economy and culture. I think he's right on and I'm thrilled he's discovered a way to successfully sell the concept to a mainstream audience. The same concepts he shares for the business world work for education too. Creative problem solving is a viable skill that can't always be taught but can definitely be nurtured in the world of education. Now if Pink could only convince those who think standardized testing is the answer. Where was Daniel Pink when No Child Left Untested, oops, I mean Behind was being constructed? EH

Right on, EH! I find the brain fascinating and really enjoyed my Applied Psychology class last quarter. I can't wait to read his books and had no idea he was a chief speech writer for V.P. Al Gore from 1995-1997. Here's an interview with Daniel Pink and a sample question and response (emphasis is mine for easy skimming). To view the entire interview, click here.

Can you give me some examples of the type of exercises you would suggest for **developing the right side of your brain**? “In my book I describe the **six right-brain attributes that I believe are key – Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play and Meaning** – (DM, this is the answer to your question) and for each I provide a whole bunch of exercises you could do. For example, one of them is to **carry a notebook with you for a week and write down all the examples you see of good and bad design**. Doing something like this is **training your mind to look at things in a different way**.”

“Alternatively you might like to do what I did and go on an art course. The course I attended was run by the son of Betty Edwards who wrote the book ‘Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain’. At the start of the week I drew a self-portrait that was truly awful. It looked more like a drawing of a Mr Potato Head toy rather than a portrait of me. By the end of the week I drew another self-portrait that might not win any awards, but which was infinitely better than the first. The difference was that during the week I had not so much learned how to draw, but more that I had learned how to see.” “As my tutor explained, **when the left brain doesn’t know what the right brain is doing, the mind is free to see relationships and to integrate those relationships into a whole. In essence, this is what you need to do to be creative, which is why people often have their most creative thoughts while taking a bath or walking the dog – it’s when the left brain is idle**.” CMS   I really enjoyed the utube video as well. It really shows how changing a simple thing that people do everyday can change how they see an activity. Students are naturally very creative and there are very few outlets in school for them to show how they can solve problems in different ways. I agree that promoting different ways of thinking will help students be more successful. KG

I like your comments, EH, about NCLB and standardized testing. It's amazing how much our teaching (and education as a whole) has shifted because of standardized testing. It almost seems as though creativity, critical and right-brain thinking have been put on the "back burner" because teachers are focused on teaching to a test. We don't know what kinds of jobs our students will hold someday, but it is certain that creativity and critical thinking will be absolutely essential for their success and survival. It's exciting to hear about how Mr. Pink is selling these ideas to the public. KAP

I really liked the Factoid of the Day comments that are posted on his site. I find random facts like this amusing to read. I also found the interview with James Paul Gee to be very insightful as well. I think it is important to find every way to motivate students. MP

I noticed two great quotes on the nature of motivation and pasted them below. Both are great to use in a classroom setting.... Pink has a new book on the science of motivation coming out very soon and these quotes were some that he liked but chose not to use in the book. I thought they were great though! I also liked this video of him speaking [].

– John Updike//**
 * //“Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or doing it better.”

//**“Every man is proud of what he does well and no man is proud of that he does not do well. With the former, his heart is in his work; and he will do twice as much of it with less fatigue. The latter performs a little imperfectly, looks at it in disgust, turns from it, and imagines himself exceedingly tired.” – Abraham Lincoln**//

I was very excited to read about Pinks Book " A Whole New Mind ". The possibility that society is transitioning from "left brain dominance" to an era where creativity, inventiveness and empathy are valued and encouraged is very exciting. I know I (and probably a number of you) am a "right brain" person. I looked at Pinks " Discussion Guide for Educators " and looked over the questions. Some that struck me were "What role does design have in your classroom or school? Do your students play any role in the actual design of their learning experience? Can it be incorporated into the curriculum in areas other than art class? How?" and "Can you teach empathy? Should you teach empathy? How?". While both are important, the second question really resonated with me, as a feel there is a definite lack of empathy in today's students. Can we teach empathy? Yes, using literature, discussion, and instilling respect for other we can teach out student to be empathetic. Should we? Absolutely. We are not only there to educate our students, but to model for them and teach them how to be quality human beings. CNR

From Pink's website, I connected with the video of his Oprah Soul Series interview from the Fall of 2008. Again--another creative genius with a contemporary view of the world. I feel his book//, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future,// should be a must read for educators dealing with the minds of the next generation. CW