Benjamin Zander

I have tried this approach with a Documentary module, BA Photography at the Dublin Institute of Technology). It is interesting to experience the unease that many students have with this method. Firstly they think I am 'up to something' and feel that I will change my mind when I review their work. One student said it was ""very hard" that now all the focus was on her not on the assessment (who ever said assessment drives learning?). One other student wanted his 'real' mark. Many wanted me to judge them in order to play the usual game of 'you wrong me right'. Reviewing their 'A' letters is even more interesting. Many if not all know exactly what they 'did' in order to achieve their A. None used language of pleasing, confirming, attending/turning up. All spoke of engagement, reflection and taking risks.

I am hoping to do a conference paper on this subject in the near future, so if anyone else has had this experience of this 'game' please get in touch with me.

I agree with the comments about Ben's book -- it is fantastic. I have also completed a number of coursed with Landmark Education (as Ben did) and this has helped me with coaching and transformation.

Guess What? Ben Zander knows that high achieving prodigies with Off The Chart I.Q.'s have a completely different educational pace, and style of learning. But if you do everything possible to "dumb them down" to your level or below, then you don't have to feel threatened any more do you? Your goal is to teach these kids to despise the learning process, in order to eliminate YOUR jealousy. And this is done by forcing the natural physiology of The Gifted student to operate in a classroom that moves at a speed that feels (to them) like frozen molasses. And some will inevitably self-destruct along the way. Welcome to the complete standardized model of modern education!!

Insist on additional required training & support for teachers with highly Gifted students in their classrooms. Then maybe the "dappleby's" in the world will finally become a thing of the past.

This has seriously made me reflect on my own teaching. A wonderfully uplifting programme - should be shown to all staff at the start of a term or year.

1. IT IS ALL INVENTED - VISION
2. JOURNEY FROM IMPOSSIBLE TO POSSIBLE
3. RULE SIX - TAKE YOUR VISION (AND TO MAKE IT HAPPEN) MORE SERIOUSLY THAN YOURSELF

Everyone should see this video. Food for thought. Why is the opposing paradigm the typical one. Teh book is great too! (The Art of Possibility)icharda1

I agree with dappleby . A 's for everyone .

He certainly obeys rule number six! Give them all an A, avoid downwards spirals and the point of goals is to make your eyes shine (so if they're too hard or too easy, move the goalposts!)