A Whole New Mind - Part I

 1.  What is L-Directed and R-Directed Thinking?  Does my subject require more of one than the other?  How could I try and reach a balance?

L-Directed Thinking is “sequential, literal, functional, textual and analytic.”    R-Directed Thinking is “simultaneous, metaphorical, aesthetic, contextual, and synthetic.”  As an elementary school teacher, I will be responsible for teaching all subjects to my students.  Subjects that require more L-Directed Thinking are math; science; Reading in terms of the alphabetic principle, decoding and literal comprehension; and Grammar.  Subjects that require more R-Directed Thinking are Creative Writing; History; Social Studies; and Reading in terms of inferential and evaluative comprehension.  In subjects that are more L-Directed, I could try and reach a balance by encouraging inferences, emphasizing multiple ways to come to a solution and making predictions.  Math, proportion and symmetry can be found in nature, art and the faces that we see on a daily basis, so aesthetic qualities could also be explored and appreciated.   In subjects that are more R-Directed, I could try and reach a balance by finding patterns in great works of art and literature, modeling certain author’s writing style and identifying the cause and effect of events. 

  

2.  How do Abundance, Asia and Automation affect the dominance of L-Directed thinking in business and schools?

Abundance, Asia and Automation affect the dominance of L-Directed thinking in business and schools in that they diminish the value of L-Directed thinking.  Because of Abundance, Asia, and Automation, L-Directed thinking is no longer enough.  Our society is one of abundance.  We are inundated with choices for everything – what we eat, what we drink, what we wear, what we drive, what we listen to, what we watch, etc.  Products need to be functional and reasonably priced, but because of the abundance of choices available to us, they also need to be beautiful, pleasing to all of our senses, and meaningful in order for them to stand out.  “Asia” refers to the high numbers of knowledge  workers  that are being trained and hired at a significantly lower cost than their American counterparts.  Whereas these knowledge workers used to be trained and hired exclusively in the US, countries like India, Russia, and the Philippines are now producing large numbers of these knowledge workers who are willing to work for a fraction of the cost.  Automation refers to the growing trend of technology taking the place of human workers.  In most cases, machines, databases and software can do the job of their human counterparts quicker, better and cheaper. 

3.  What is High Concept and High Touch?  What is the impact of this on my teaching?

High Concept is the capacity to “detect patterns and opportunities, to create artistic and emotional beauty, to craft a satisfying narrative, and to combine seemingly unrelated ideas into something new.”  In other words, High Concept includes the ability to create beautiful, meaningful and original ideas.

High Touch involves “the ability to empathize with others, to understand the subtleties of human interaction, to find joy in one’s self and to elicit it in others, and to stretch beyond the quotidian in pursuit of purpose and meaning.”  In other words, High Touch is the ability to positively interact with others, form and foster healthy relationships, find joy in purposeful activities and service, and encourage others to be their best selves. 

Both High Concept and High Touch are abilities that have been overlooked in the past, but are quickly gaining importance, relevance and value in our changing society.  This impacts my teaching because I will need to ensure that I provide my students with opportunities and experiences that foster development in creative thinking, problem solving, innovation, and meaningful and purposeful relationships.  I must also help my students discover strategies that they could use to continuously improve their emotional and mental health so that they could find joy within themselves and spread positivity.

4.  What are the flaws of an education system that only value IQ?  Is there also a role for EQ in education?

One flaw of an education system that only values IQ is that it does not prepare students for a happy, social and meaningful life.  Moreover, these education systems fail to encourage students to think creatively, to form personal relationships, to connect with others in different social settings, or to find purpose and meaning in their work and studies.  There is absolutely a role for EQ in education – through community outreach, service, and connections, students can learn the value of compassion, empathy and care while discovering the positive effects it has on their own lives.