I have found that one of the most confusing keys in TJed is "Inspire, not Require." Some people get thrown with the idea of not requiring. In our family we do require things of our children. We require that they are courteous and kind to others. We require follow through. We require our children to respect others' time and property. I believe these are value that need to be instilled at the "Core" level and applied as the children get older. When it comes to school work for the children in the "Love of Learning" and "Scholar" phases, I work on the inspiring. I have two kids that LOVE music and I have no problem inspiring them to practice. They are dream music students. Their math, well, let's just say that a little peer pressure can be very inspiring! I have another child that is naturally gifted in math but gets turned off to it with any kind of workbook or drill sheet. I am teaching him fractions in the kitchen. He loves to cook so this is a natural way to inspire him.
My four older kids are at an age where they are VERY inspired by money and what it can buy. But, at the same time, they have many distractions that compete for their time. What I am doing to inspire my kids about our business adventure is to share my enthusiasm. I am excited about my plans! I have so much to tell them and do with them! And my enthusiasm and excitement is because I have been following another key - "You, not Them."
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
The 2nd Key - Mentors, not Professors
What is a mentor? Within the TJed community I have heard mentoring described as helping someone find and accomplish their mission.
What I really like about this key is the focus on the student. I taught at a university (as a graduate student) and at a community college. The difference between the teaching styles at the two types of schools is very similar to the difference between a professor and a mentor. At the university level, the emphasis is on the professor. The student is force fed information and if they get it, great. If they don't, it is their fault and they need to figure out how to get it. I actually got reprimanded for giving too many "A's" out the year I taught as a grad student! The lecture professor's bell curve got thrown out of wack. The individual students didn't seem to make any difference, especially at the under graduate level. At the community college level it was very different. I was required to attend workshops that focused on teaching to students' different learning styles. I was evaluated based on how well my students learned the material. Which students got a better education? In my opinion, the community college students. This experience definitely influenced my receptivity to TJed.
How can I use this key as we learn about business? I have been thinking about this one a lot because it dictates how I teach. Or, do I even really teach? I really need to act more like a detective and then a facilitator. First I have to figure out what my students want to learn and then I have to help them find out about it. My older boys want to learn how to make money when they are too young to get real jobs. One of the first things I am going to talk to them about is different ways of making money. They can make things and then sell them, they can sell things other people have made, and they can provide a service. But how to get this information through to them in a way that will help them accomplish their mission?
As a mentor, I really need the 3rd Key -- Inspire, not require. More on this tomorrow!
What I really like about this key is the focus on the student. I taught at a university (as a graduate student) and at a community college. The difference between the teaching styles at the two types of schools is very similar to the difference between a professor and a mentor. At the university level, the emphasis is on the professor. The student is force fed information and if they get it, great. If they don't, it is their fault and they need to figure out how to get it. I actually got reprimanded for giving too many "A's" out the year I taught as a grad student! The lecture professor's bell curve got thrown out of wack. The individual students didn't seem to make any difference, especially at the under graduate level. At the community college level it was very different. I was required to attend workshops that focused on teaching to students' different learning styles. I was evaluated based on how well my students learned the material. Which students got a better education? In my opinion, the community college students. This experience definitely influenced my receptivity to TJed.
How can I use this key as we learn about business? I have been thinking about this one a lot because it dictates how I teach. Or, do I even really teach? I really need to act more like a detective and then a facilitator. First I have to figure out what my students want to learn and then I have to help them find out about it. My older boys want to learn how to make money when they are too young to get real jobs. One of the first things I am going to talk to them about is different ways of making money. They can make things and then sell them, they can sell things other people have made, and they can provide a service. But how to get this information through to them in a way that will help them accomplish their mission?
As a mentor, I really need the 3rd Key -- Inspire, not require. More on this tomorrow!
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