Energy and Community

Hello fellow bloggers,

What I found the most intriguing in Chapter 2 of Under the Ginkgo Tree was the Chinese idea of ethical and social teaching coming from their ideas of the cosmos and how cosmic energy is always changing. The quote "Yin Yang provides the idea of harmony within creative tension" made me think of how as preservice teachers we are given so many theories and methods that will help with our teaching. However, after given all of these conflicting theories we must pick and choose ideas that each one possess in order to make our own philosophy of education. I feel that a harmony must be reached through the different theories. As well, the idea of collective learning reminded me of this positive and negative balance. (As the book said, not positive and negative in the idea of good and bad but just as two completely different ideals) Especially in a class such as this, we are constantly in discussion with one another and our own culture and backgrounds give us each an unique lens that we see the world through. Discussion and group learning provides students with ideas that may be completely different than their own, which allows them to see the same context in a different manner. I know for myself sometimes the ideas and thoughts that are the complete opposite of mine stick with me the most. By listening to these ideas and thoughts I feel as if I am able to make my whole more complete by gaining pieces people have to offer.

-Donny