Thank you Jan for this TED talk, which is entitled "The power of vulnerability" - a great choice of presentation to watch and listen to, lots of layers to this presentation.
Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.
I have noted down a few points below, to tie the theme of Ms. Brown's talk and how you may be feeling at the moment. We really ARE all in this together!
“The definition of vulnerability is uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. But vulnerability is not weakness; it's our most accurate measure of courage. When the barrier is our belief about vulnerability, the question becomes: 'Are we willing to show up and be seen when we can't control the outcome?'
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about this talk are the parallels to this group of learners and how you may be feeling at the moment.
So, to start, what is my motivation and expectations at the beginning of the year? That is very straightforward indeed, as it is to create a supportive but challenging learning environment to allow you all to develop as learners. That all sounds a bit woolly, but I suppose that’s what teaching is for me. Sometimes the word “teach” is too blunt an instrument for my liking. I want you to develop confidence and say yes I can do this and not too much of the "I'll never be able to do that" type of chat.
My expectation is that I will be working with a group of initially nervous and interesting students who are ready for a challenge and to challenge me too.
It is impossible to predict how classes will gel, but from very early on even in the first class today, it was clear that you are all ready to work and really importantly, 'learn' very well together. This intra-class dynamic is crucial to the development of a positive learning environment.
I’ve always thought that if we’re coasting along then we’re probably not learning a lot. But when we feel we are on the very edges of our comfort zone, then, possibly, we are learning. That’s what learning feels like. It’s not always a pleasant feeling at the time - but it seems worth the discomfort in retrospect. This is an important thing for us as lecturers to remember. We force students out of their comfort zone a lot. How often do we move out of ours?
Vulnerability can be a positive, right?
I look forward to your thoughts.
Mark
I was going to answer this yesterday when I watched this and the other Ted talk. Fascinatingly I decided against it. I felt it would be too open to comment how I really felt and leave Me 'vulnerable' it's amazing how We can see Our flaws as imperfections. I had decided that if I commented negatively about how vulnerable I have felt at times throughout life including life just now embarking on this new life of college- vulnerable through fear of failure, new challenges, meeting new people and talking and completing work online. However My particular vulnerability about responding to this Ted talk was fear of judgement and letting out 'My weaknesses' to the full class but I have decided to go against My initial fears and post anyway- after all We are all in this together and I believe We are all flawed, perfectly imperfect fighting Our own battles- without fear We can't change. I hope that We can all support each other to get through this year and open up to some of those vulnerabilities and fears without judgement to gain strength and success.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea, I really like your words and hopefully this will inspire other members of the class to follow suit. You raise some really strong points in your evaluation. All I ask of my students is to be bold, confident and perform to the best of their ability. Sometimes we have to take the knocks and in other time we are surprised with how well we are performing. The process of learning is always dynamic though, for sure. Learning and life can never be a game of perfect, but one thing IS for sure, there will NEVER be any judging in my learning space. Thank you for your words, and well done for taking the time to do so. Keep doing what you are doing, fantastic. Mark
ReplyDeleteVery good TED talk and I thought that she nailed a few points that I felt hit home with myself and would sit watching and listening to her in awe thinking 'wow this is me she's talking about'
ReplyDeleteI used to feel really vulnerable in the past and at times still do but after years to come to grips iv learned that its a part of who I am.
Thanks John. I think Jan picked a brilliant talk to kick things off on the blog. I hope lots of people have watched it. What are your thoughts Jan, care to comment? Mark
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