What I Learned

I learned a lot this semester in college composition but the one thing that stuck out to me  the most was learning how to open up your creativity more. The activities and reading you gave us helped me pull some aspects of my creativity out the shadows. Something else I learned was the importance of play and how it is vital for a healthy life. The TED with Stuart Brown explained everything precisely he had so much evidence to support his theory. I personally learned that I have to step up more and try to be a a leader when it comes to group work. Next time I have to do a group project I know now that I have to work at a group pace and not my own pace. Instead of trying to push the work I need to do it before so I am not rushing to finish it.

Poker Night

As you all know we had a major project this semester. My group attempted to help increasethe lack of social communication in dorms by each throwing an event to get everyone together.I choose a poker tournament. Although many people do not know how to play they can also come down to watch and learn from good player. Everyone would have to dress up as if youwere really going toa casino I already have volunteers that are wiling to run the tables and help people learn how to play. There will be three poker tables on dealer, and six players on each. In stead of gambling money we will gamble fake money for nice prizes. I felt it wouldbe a fun event because I know a lot of students can not wait until we are able to go to the casino.

The Project

The group project for this semester was a interesting and long process.  My groups problem was trying to increase social communication in dorms. When trying to find a solution we identified another problem, the programs and events that are thrown, are boring. From surveys and our own personal experience we noticed that many people felt that the programs were boring and to educational. Some students did not even attend one program this year because they thought it wouldn’t be fun.It is a problem because in college there should be a healthy amount of social communication with others.  Social communication is one of the largest pieces of a full college experience and we feel that it starts with the dorms. In dorms you are living with so many different types of people If we improve the programs we could help connect more people, open up different doors and bridge gaps between people. Some people have trouble making friends so our goal would bring people out their shells to make friends and have fun at an event that they would enjoy. We used the question, how well do you know your neighbor express the lack of communication between one another and how it should be between the people you live with. In conclusion our major problem is that there is not enough communication in dorms.  There should a healthy level of communication throughout the whole building. 

Imagination

  Never knew how important imagination and playing was until we talked about it in class.  Dr. Morris made us move the desks to the side find a partner and sit on the ground, I was so confused. She told us to play a few common hand games like rock paper scissors and thumb wars. My partner won rock paper scissors and I won the thumb wars. After everuone was finished she told us to create our own hand game.
If we did not start off with those games it would have to forever to actually create one. In the beginning my partner and I both drew blanks. We were just sitting there trying to figure out something to do. About 3 minutes before we were suppses to be done we had finaly came up with one. One person started off by clapping a beat and then the partner had to remember and add something extra to it. It was fun and a way to get everbody to think. I am going to challege my little sisters to come up with a fun hand game and see what they can come up with. Although I am not really into hang games anymore I am going to play with my little sisters when I get back and explain the purporse for making the game.

Animals and Play

Stuart Brown’s TED talk showed me how important play is.  He uses animals a lot in his study of play. Play comes as early as infancy, when a mother and baby share those moments of play and are filled with joy. When someone does not have the right level of play in their lives they tend to not be able to solve problems. Thats more evidence on why play is needed to live a healthy and successful life.  In the case of the Charles Whitman massacre, there was a study that was ended with his lack of play being the reason for the murders.Stuart Brown said “The basis of human trust is developed through play signals”. The importance of play in people is overlooked as we become adults which is unhealthy.Stuart Brown uses a lot of pictures with animals as evidence for his argument.I remember one picture showing a polar bear playing with a husky, the state of play eliminated all forms of hostility towards one another. The pictures he shows expresses how people look when they are in the act of playing and how it positively affects us. He used a case study with rats and the younger more playful rats were noted to survive while the others died. Stuart Browns presentation was given with so much evidence that theres no way you can ignore it if you actually watch it.

WATCH

Controversy In Schools

     A major problem that was brought up and focused on in class was the lack of creativity in schools.I didnt quite understand until we watched a TED talk wit Sir. Ken Robinson. He explained it well and understandable, I was blown away with the realization that he was rite. Using relatable topics he was able to open my mind to what was happening to the school systems. He stated that art was on the bottom of the list of academics and in some schools is the first to go. I plan on trying to help my 2 year old niece keep her creativity and imagination even when schools dont enforce it much.  I will do so by encouarging her to draw and color more. Im glad I choose to take the class because I really feel that was the most important thing I learned all semester. I will spread what I learned to others and hopefully find a way to help parents solve an unrecognized problem. Like Sir. Robinson said we get drained of out creativity as we get higher in the educational system. The class not only helped me with gaining a new view but also helping me think outside the box with my music.





Heres some of my music was scared when you said you were maybe gonna call on me to display :)

Paint Brush

        It was the beginning of class and as usuall we had to start off with a creativity excersise. We had to find 10 different ways to use a paint brush. At first it was hard, but once I started to actually think outside the box it came easy and faster. I instantly thought of using it as a spondge and a duster because as a kid I always played with a new paint brush in those ways. The rest are a lint roller, hair brush, broom, shoe cleaner, drum stick,back scratcher,hair brissels and a ball. Alot of people had similar items and ideas. I always liked when Dr. Morris started class with an interesting and creative topic. I wish more teachers would teach like that it gets the brain pumping and loosens everyones stress with a fun activity. Every class I go to I just get ready for a boring lecture but I get excited for college comp because it is more than that and I think all teachers should imitate.