# data[].attributes.headline
Any good teacher knows how important it is to connect with students and understand our culture. ~Adora Svitak

# data[].attributes.subject
Any good teacher knows how important it is to connect with students and understand our culture. ~Adora Svitak

# data[].attributes.headline
The World Has Changed, Why Haven’t Our Schools?

# data[].attributes.subject
The World Has Changed, Why Haven’t Our Schools?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Academic knowledge is so last century. It is widely recognized that students need more than this to be successful later in life, especially in our diverse, ever-changing global landscape. Many additional skills are necessary to build well-rounded individuals prepared for college and careers. Social and emotional skills make up one category of these essential skills, including attributes such as resiliency, stress management, empathy, social awareness, and self-confidence.

Incorporating social and emotional skills into the classroom is essential for many reasons. First, these skills provide a foundation on which academic success is built. Students trained in social and emotional skills had academic achievement scores which were an average of 11 percentile points higher than those who did not, according to a meta-analysis of 213 studies (Weissberg, et al., 2015). These students also tend to have better attitudes toward school and more positive relationships with peers and adults. In addition, there are numerous personal benefits such as lower instances of depression and stress along with reduced risk-taking and criminal behaviors. This is coupled with increased prosocial behavior as well as increased confidence, persistence, empathy, and more engaged citizenship.

There are also far-reaching implications of social and emotional learning for the changing workforce and the economy of the future. Originally, the U.S. system of education was designed to prepare students for a life of repetitive, industrialized work. Over time, the number of manual and routine jobs has steadily declined within the United States in favor of more complex, non-routine forms of employment, jobs which will require effective social and emotional skills. The following graph illustrates this trend.

(Image source: Pairin, 2015)

So given these massive global shifts and the significant benefits for students, why haven't schools kept up? According to a recent study by the Education Week Research Center, only 34 percent of teachers are integrating social emotional learning into their classrooms, even minimally, even though 99 percent agree that social emotional learning increases student achievement, improves the school climate, and reduces school discipline problems.

(Image source: Pairin, 2015)

Educators understand that social and emotional skills are important for students. However, some resist making changes because they are worried these skills may not be teachable, measurable or possible to incorporate in a time-efficient manner. In addition, while the large majority of teachers want to integrate social and emotional skills into their curricula, many simply do not have the resources, training, or leeway from their superiors to do so. The fact that 84% of teachers surveyed want training on how to teach these skills indicates that they feel unprepared to make this shift. A systemic change in educational priorities is needed-one which affirms the reality that the world is different; one which grants social and emotional skills equal importance to traditional academic content; in other words, one which gives all students a real shot at success.

Autor, D., & Price, B. (2013). The changing task composition of the US labor market: An update of Autor, Levy, and Murnane (2003). Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved from http://economics.mit.edu/files/9758

Education Week Research Center. (2015). Social and emotional learning: Perspectives from America's schools. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/media/ewrc_selreport_june2015.pdf

Pairin. (2015, November 2). The methodology behind integrating essential college and career skills into everyday curricula. Retrieved from https://www.pairin.com/student-readiness/methodology-whitepaper

Weissberg, R., Durlak, J.A., Domitrovich, C.E., & Gullotta, T.P. (2015, February 15). Why social and emotional learning is essential for students [Web log comment]. Retrieved from
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/why-sel-essential-for-students-weissberg-durlak-domitrovich-gullotta
World Economic Forum. (2016). New vision for education: Fostering social and emotional learning through technology. Retrieved from http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_New_Vision_for_Education.pdf
Dr. Tara Laughlin is the Director of Curriculum at Pairin (www.pairin.com) and a former teacher of 10 years. She can be reached at curriculum@pairin.com.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The World Has Changed, Why Haven't Our Schools? - Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Academic knowledge is so last century. It is widely recognized that students need more than this to be successful later in life, especially in our diverse, ever-changing global landscape. Many additional skills are necessary to build well-rounded individuals prepared for college and careers.

# data[].attributes.body
“The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don't tell you what to see.” ~ALEXANDRA K.TRENFOR

# data[].attributes.body
Global connections

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Taking classes global is one of my favorite ways that technology redefines what education can do.

It boggles the mind to think that a classroom, individual or place can be thousands of miles away but close enough virtually to engage in face-to-face conversation.
With communication tools like Google Hangouts, Skype and FaceTime, virtually anyone with an Internet connection can be reached from a classroom.
Other classes around the world. Authors. Musicians. Archaeologists. Astronauts. Museum curators. Local community heroes.

The possibilities are as endless as your imagination. It only gets tricky when reality sets in: How am I going to find someone to talk to my class?

This is the most common question when I present on global connections at conferences.

Many educators are interested in the idea of connecting their classes to other classes or individuals that could have a positive influence on their students. They just aren't sure where to find people to connect with.
Thankfully, the Internet is full of resources to help classes get connected. Here are 10 places where you can turn:
1. Your social media accounts. Chances are you probably use some form of social media, be it Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or Google Plus. That might be enough to find someone to help connect your class. To be sure, though, ask your friends and followers to share it with their network, making that reach exponentially greater.

2. Friends, family and co-workers. Someone who can get your class connected might be in the classroom down the hall OR at a Saturday evening get-together OR at your family holiday gathering. People know people, and it never hurts to ask.

3. #MysterySkype. Mystery Skype is a great first step to connecting to other classes around the country or the world. Two classes meet via video chat online to guess where in the world each other is geographically. If you use Twitter, #MysterySkype is a common hashtag that educators use to find Skype partners. Tweet what you're looking for and add that hashtag OR scan the hashtag on Twitter for other teachers' requests.

4. A targeted Twitter hashtag from the Weekly Twitter Chat Times list. Oh, so you're on Twitter, you say? Good. (If you're not, we need to talk.) This Twitter chat list has hashtags for practically any content area, grade level or specialization in education. Fire a tweet to a few carefully selected hashtags and see who you can find.

5. The Skype Education website. This site acts as a bulletin board for educators who want to connect to other classes. Post a lesson you want to do and see who contacts you OR check out other teachers' lessons to see if one fits what you want to do. (If you find something close, contact the teacher and see if you can compromise!)

6. Colleagues from conferences, professional organizations or previous jobs. I'm a bit of a conference junkie (I'm at one today, in fact). I've met droves of fellow educators at various conferences and through my state foreign language teachers conference. If I'm struggling to find a fellow class to connect with, I'm turning to them.

7. The Google Hangouts in Education community on Google Plus (+15,000 members). A quick scan of the community includes posts from educators in Argentina, India, Spain and South Korea. It's a great place to get connected to people and classes all over the world.

8. The Mystery Hangout community on Google Plus (~2,000 members). I have had great success finding classes to engage in Mystery Skype activities using this community. The description of the community explains how to do a mystery Google Hangout and calls it "a mix of Battleships and 20 questions."

9. People you've connected with before. If you've Skyped, done a Hangout or had a FaceTime with someone before, don't be afraid to go back to them! I have a handful of great teachers who I go to when I need a video chat for class. Build your own list!

That's me, the writer of this post. If you'd like a real, live person to help you find a guest or class for your class, just find me on Twitter or shoot me an e-mail (matt at DitchThatTextbook dot com).

Here's the bottom line for making global connections for your class: Just ask. You never know who you can get until you ask. One class got some face-to-face time with Shaq thanks to a simple, heartfelt letter from a student. On the other hand, I was recently met with a "yes, for $500" response to a Skype/Google Hangout request. It doesn't always work out, but you never know until you try.
Your "it wouldn't hurt, would it?" request might be a life-changing moment for a student! For notifications of new Ditch That Textbook content and helpful links: Interested in having Matt present at your event or school? Contact him by e-mail! Matt is scheduled to present at the following upcoming events:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 ways to find global connections for your class

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Taking classes global is one of my favorite ways that technology redefines what education can do. It boggles the mind to think that a classroom, individual or place can be thousands of miles away but close enough virtually to engage in face-to-face conversation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These five steps are essential in creating a 21st-century classroom: establishing zones, ensuring resource accessibility, encouraging mobility, igniting inspiration, and fostering respect.

# data[].attributes.body
It's always important to ask questions, listen closely and restate and confirm! This really allows use to truly understand the information that you are being taught!

# data[].attributes.body
Communication is so so important!!!! Being able to communicate with so many different perspective especially during different times. Being able to convey a message to others and understand others messages is so important.

# data[].attributes.body
Creators are so important! They need to be able to create and express themselves. As a teacher, it is important to allow them to create and be themselves in the classroom. It helps them grow! It's their best way to learn and it's good to push that and allow them to do so!

# data[].attributes.body
Creative communicators find ways to get their messages across in unique and effective ways. They are understanding and respectful to all people from all backgrounds.

# data[].attributes.headline
Communication is the key to success and how humans connect 

# data[].attributes.subject
Communication is the key to success and how humans connect 

# data[].attributes.body
Great listeners...

# data[].attributes.body
THINKERS !!!!!

# data[].attributes.body
Exhibit skills that encourages positive relationships and brings about knowledge. A true communicator can be understanding, and hears both perspectives to an issue.

# data[].attributes.body
kinda like the Doctor, he travels threw time and space and is able to speak different languages and communicate with different people and species, and is able to communicate across cultures; he is like moderator in certain situations.

# data[].attributes.body
Individuals who are not afraid of getting their voices heard or afraid of creating new ideas.

# data[].attributes.headline
Effective Communicators and Creators are... 

# data[].attributes.subject
Effective Communicators and Creators are... 

# data[].attributes.body
Innovative and inventors of practical and useful knowledge. They transmit their knowledge successfully to others, going beyond the barriers of proper communication and embracing global perspectives.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
effective communicator and creator - Google Search

# data[].attributes.body
Being Creative is as important as mastering Communication!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Effectively Communicate Your Strategy

# data[].attributes.body
Be Creative and Communicate effectively!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
212-564-2073
[email protected]

Issue 21

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

In this issue ~~

* Creativity in Communication

* Creative Tip

* Wise Words

* Bookshelf

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Communication is probably not something you would instantly equate with creativity. It's something that we do throughout our lives, but often don't give much thought to how we're doing it. But communication is a skill (and perhaps an art), and like any other skill, we can improve upon it.

With better communication, we can enhance our relationships, both personal and business. And since just about everything in life is based on relationship, the impact of improved communication can be far-reaching.

Business and personal development coach Henry Barbey, whose seminars on communication have impacted many people, has shared some of his thoughts on communication with me.

Barbey suggests that one of the primary factors in good communication is listening. Listening is hearing, but with the added component of seeking to understand what the other person is communicating. We achieve this by listening with the intent to understand, rather than thinking about our reaction or response to the communication. The result is that the other person feels that we are interested in them and what they have to say. By paying attention, we can pick up clues about the person and what they are saying that will forward the conversation and help create relationship.

It's also important to note that communication is a two-way street. Speaking is only half the picture; the message needs to be acknowledged in order to be complete. When someone else is speaking, you can let them know you're receiving their communication by focusing your attention on them and perhaps adding an occasional nod or saying "uh-huh" to let them know you're with them (this is particularly important on the phone, where the speaker is otherwise met by dead silence).

Barbey also uses what he calls a "feedback loop." What this means is that, from time to time in the conversation, you rephrase or paraphrase what the person said and repeat it back to them. They can then acknowledge that you understood what they said or provide clarification. It's as if the person is communicating in code, and you are decoding the message and sending it back to them for verification. By using the "feedback loop," you can confirm that the communication has been received accurately. You'd be surprised how often this is not the case.

Part of becoming conscious of good communication is being aware of the barriers. Barbey lists several categories to consider:

~ Environmental -- There are times when the environment is not conducive to certain kinds of communication. For example, a noisy restaurant is not the place for an intimate, meaningful conversation. Likewise, the office may not be the best place to discuss personal issues.

~ Preoccupation with one's own thoughts -- Often as we listen to someone, our minds are busy planning how we will respond. Or we're off thinking about a personal issue that's on our mind or in a past memory that the conversation has triggered. When we do that, we're not fully present and miss a lot of what is said. This is an example of hearing rather than listening.

~ Personal judgments and biases -- As with preoccupation, as someone is speaking, we may find ourselves off in our head, having a running monologue judging what the person is saying. "I like that, I don't like that, I don't agree" and harsher judgments fill our mind. Or we may have personal biases about what the person is saying, or about the person him or herself, that block us from really listening to what is being said.

~ Cultural factors -- Different cultures have different styles of communication, including use of words and body language. We may misinterpret what is said or even take offense. The person's gestures, or lack of them, may be distracting. The language barrier itself or a difficult-to-understand accent may also cause us to "tune out" and lose what's being said.

~ Low self-esteem -- If you feel unworthy, and therefore intimidated by the person you're speaking with, it's hard for the communication to flow. Your attention tends to be on yourself -- what you're saying, how you look, what they think of you -- and not on really listening to what's being said.

So how do we begin to improve our communication?

~ Become conscious of your communication. Awareness is the first step to change. Start noticing how you communicate, how you listen, which barriers are getting in your way.

~ Have an intent to communicate more effectively. Intention is a powerful force that sets change in motion.

~ Listen with the intent of understanding. Give your attention fully to the other person. If you find your mind wandering, pull it back. Refocus on the message and its meaning. Trust that you will be able to respond appropriately and at the right time (and let it be okay if you don't have a brilliant response prepared!).

~ Whether you're speaking or not, actively engage in the conversation. Begin practicing the "feedback loop." At appropriate points, rephrase and "mirror" what the other person said. Ask questions or build on what's been said.

~ On a more advanced level, we can become aware of whether a person's primary sensory system is auditory, visual or kinesthetic (touch). So you would connect more with an auditory person by asking, "Do you hear what I'm saying?" rather than "Do you see/feel what I'm saying?" You might get through more easily with a visual person by drawing a diagram. And a kinesthetic person would learn more easily hands-on, rather than watching a demonstration or hearing an explanation.

As artists, better communication can help us in our work. For actors, listening and *then* responding, rather than just waiting for your cue, is integral to good acting. One of the things I admire about musicians playing together is the way they tune into each other so beautifully; this is an excellent example of non-verbal communication.

For visual artists who work solo, the communication may be with yourself. By tuning into your own intuition and creativity without the critical chatter, you can more authentically touch your own self-expression. Or if you're doing a commissioned work, by listening to what the client says and using the "feedback loop" to be sure you're receiving their communication clearly (as well as expressing your own vision for the project), you can create greater rapport and thereby more accurately fulfill their desires while also completing the project to your own satisfaction.

So start by becoming more conscious of your communication and practicing some of the skills listed here. As you begin to listen more fully, your relationships and your life will become more effective and begin to take on a flow that makes them more fun and pleasurable. And with practice, you can lift the skill of communication to an art!

~~~~~~~~~

A special thanks to business and personal coach Henry Barbey for sharing with us his passion for helping people communicate more effectively.

Top

When you're in a conversation with someone and feeling distracted, stop. Acknowledge your distraction and ask them to repeat or clarify what they said. If the issue on your mind is preventing you from giving them the attention they deserve at this time, explain that and set up another time when you can.

"The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer."

~ Henry David Thoreau

"Excellence, to me, is the state of grace that can descend only when one tunes out all the world's clamor, listens to an inward voice one recognizes as wiser than one's own, and transcribes without fear."

~ Naomi Wolf, "The Most Important Thing I Know"

Top

(click on the book graphic to see a description at Amazon.com)

The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships . . . Michael Nichols

Listening: The Forgotten Skill . . . Madelyn Burley-Allen

Changing the World: One Relationship at a Time: Focused Listening for Mutual Support & Empowerment . . . Sheryl Karas

Effective Listening Skills . . . Abby Robinson Kratz, Dennis M. Kratz, Art James Productions

Listening : How to Increase Awareness of Your Inner Guide . . . Lee Coit

Top

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
© 1999 Sharon Good. All rights reserved.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Living the Creative Life 21: Creativity in Communication - Henry Barbey | Good Life Coaching | Sharon Good | Career, Life Purpose, Creativity, Writing, Publishing, Creative Artists, Spiritual Coaching

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
212-564-2073 [email protected] Issue 21 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ In this issue ~~ * Creativity in Communication * Creative Tip * Wise Words * Bookshelf ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Communication is probably not something you would instantly equate with creativity. It's something that we do throughout our lives, but often don't give much thought to how we're doing it.