Don't be an excellent sheep - tinker!

Take a look at this recent Atlantic Monthly article about the problems in higher ed, that basically concludes lack of having a tinker mindset (developing a "means of reflection"), at best turns out maladjusted excellent sheep. Interviewed in this article, William Deresiewicz maintains that "...we've created a system where kids are constantly busy...We need to create a situation where kids don't have to feel "on" all the time...we need to help kids develop the means of reflection, then maybe it will happen next year, next summer" and that's ok, to let just plain thinking plant idea seeds that bloom when conditions are "right"! And, it's important to consider we're talking about mindful reflection, not mindless deflection like what happens when you turn to technology for distracted relaxing (we all do it, zoning out playing a mindless game on the phone to unwind from overly achievement oriented work).

And speaking of tinkering, next weekend I'm attending a Charlottesville Tinkersmith group recommended by a colleague that organizes meetings to share "maker" project ideas and support. I'll tell you more about it next week...