Through the Looking-glass

Last week we had a wonderful time with the jeweler's loupes that our Professor Kathryn had brought to class. First, we used the loupes to stretch our sight, then our brains, working both our left and right brains.   With 5X magnifying view, something that is insignificant or ordinary becomes extraordinary. We normally do not look closely at things around us. When our vision is magnified, everything looks different and we can be surprised by what lies beneath the surface.

After examining our hands through the loupes, we used analogy to describe our hands. We came up with amazing observations and analogies, for instance, passage of time, regeneration of cells, journey of our lives, skin of oranges, cosmos, water going down the drain and even snakes! We went on to examine more items. I picked up a cedar twig and started to examine it. It looked like braided hair, railway, lizard skin, needles, and tapestry. Next, we added scientific explanation. Finally, we would combine the creative and scientific writing to form a macro picture of the object. With this method, I find that my scope of thinking, which tends to be more linear,  becomes wider and I can think more creatively.

Now, the following are my analogies of ‘curriculum’:

Like travel guide book – it provides the necessary information for the development of students and new adventure will open up for them.

Like a recipe – students have to follow the instructions by using the materials provided, consequently, they will enjoy the delicious dish that they have prepared.

Like a buffet – students have a taste of a variety of foods and to discover new taste.

Like fertilizer – if students are like trees, fertilizer or curriculum nurtures them to become more developed.

What do you think?

Best wishes to everyone who is celebrating the Lunar New Year this Friday, 31 January 2014. Gong Xi Fa Cai!