Comments on: Engaging Students in a Habit of Gratitude http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/ Faculty Focus publishes articles on effective teaching strategies for the college classroom, both face-to-face and online. Sign-up for our free newsletter. Sun, 26 May 2013 03:53:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Tom Carlson http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9178 Tom Carlson Fri, 15 Feb 2013 20:37:34 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9178 I don't disagree, and I really know that feeling, but just MAYBE we could actually cover more - or rather, get more across - if we first pay attention to engendering the right attitude of the students. It will take another 5 minutes out of class, but if they are 20% more engaged, which should result in more understanding and assimilation of content, we come out ahead. I don't disagree, and I really know that feeling, but just MAYBE we could actually cover more – or rather, get more across – if we first pay attention to engendering the right attitude of the students. It will take another 5 minutes out of class, but if they are 20% more engaged, which should result in more understanding and assimilation of content, we come out ahead.

]]> By: Tom Carlson http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9177 Tom Carlson Fri, 15 Feb 2013 20:34:38 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9177 Great idea. I am definitely going to start using this in a few of my classes that need a bit more emotional "opening up" and engagement. Juast a thought about semantics - I'm sure an expert or two out there will read this: the article and discussion conflate gratitude with humility; what exactly is their relationship to each other? Causative? subordinate? is gratitude an ingredient of humility, or the other way around? What do you all think? Great idea. I am definitely going to start using this in a few of my classes that need a bit more emotional "opening up" and engagement.
Juast a thought about semantics – I'm sure an expert or two out there will read this: the article and discussion conflate gratitude with humility; what exactly is their relationship to each other? Causative? subordinate? is gratitude an ingredient of humility, or the other way around?
What do you all think?

]]> By: Students and “Thank You” « DIY College Prep http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9155 Students and “Thank You” « DIY College Prep Fri, 15 Feb 2013 04:45:00 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9155 [...] Focus recently ran a lovely piece, “Engaging Students in a Habit of Gratitude,” which explains how one professor opens class by encouraging students to list things for which they [...] [...] Focus recently ran a lovely piece, “Engaging Students in a Habit of Gratitude,” which explains how one professor opens class by encouraging students to list things for which they [...]

]]> By: ozzie gontang http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9129 ozzie gontang Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:08:18 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9129 An African proverb used by Simon Sinek says it well: To go fast, go alone. To go far, go together. As herd/pack animals, although we have chosen to say: Social animals, it is about the survival of all of us. When practicing gratitude or loving-kindness, it is contagious. If you want to see what we are up against watch Adam Curtis' 4 part BBC documentary: The Century of the Self. It can be downloaded for free at: <a href="http://archive.org/details/AdamCurtis-TheCenturyOfTheSelf" rel="nofollow">http://archive.org/details/AdamCurtis-TheCenturyO...</a> Edward Bernays, nephew of Sigmund Freud, and father of Public Relations (decided he couldn't use the work Propaganda after WWI). He helped American Tobacco Company, a client, get women to smoke. The cigarette became "The Torch of Freedom." Also Dan Ariely's Chapter on Social Norm and Market Norm in Predictabily Irrational talks about what happens when trust and relationship of the social norm are replaced by the market norm - financial transaction. An African proverb used by Simon Sinek says it well: To go fast, go alone. To go far, go together. As herd/pack animals, although we have chosen to say: Social animals, it is about the survival of all of us. When practicing gratitude or loving-kindness, it is contagious. If you want to see what we are up against watch Adam Curtis' 4 part BBC documentary: The Century of the Self. It can be downloaded for free at: http://archive.org/details/AdamCurtis-TheCenturyO… Edward Bernays, nephew of Sigmund Freud, and father of Public Relations (decided he couldn't use the work Propaganda after WWI). He helped American Tobacco Company, a client, get women to smoke. The cigarette became "The Torch of Freedom." Also Dan Ariely's Chapter on Social Norm and Market Norm in Predictabily Irrational talks about what happens when trust and relationship of the social norm are replaced by the market norm – financial transaction.

]]> By: Engaging students in a habit of gratitude [Miller Fox] http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9108 Engaging students in a habit of gratitude [Miller Fox] Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:03:41 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9108 [...] On 02/12/2013, in Christian education, hearts -- matters of the heart, by Daniel Christian Engaging students in a habit of gratitude – from facultyfocus.com by Deborah Miller [...] [...] On 02/12/2013, in Christian education, hearts — matters of the heart, by Daniel Christian Engaging students in a habit of gratitude – from facultyfocus.com by Deborah Miller [...]

]]> By: guest http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9104 guest Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:36:03 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9104 I find the idea to be correct that we cannot be teachable without gratitude and humilty, but I am disturbed that I must teach this to a group of adults before I can get to the lessons at hand. I barely have enough time as it is to cover the material. I feel the impoverishment of our society at the well of our wealth. I find the idea to be correct that we cannot be teachable without gratitude and humilty, but I am disturbed that I must teach this to a group of adults before I can get to the lessons at hand. I barely have enough time as it is to cover the material. I feel the impoverishment of our society at the well of our wealth.

]]> By: Danny Anderson http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9100 Danny Anderson Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:23:51 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9100 I teach at a very similar kind of institution and, to continue the article's theme, I am very grateful for the kind flexibility it offers my teaching. Perceived pressures from "The Profession" can be debilitating for me sometimes. But this article reminds me that that shouldn't necessarily be the case. I'm sometimes surprised at how much the traditional Liberal Arts have in common with faith (of any stripe). To name just one commonality, both are invested in educating the whole person, not simple providing Job Skills. This professor's emphasis on a certain ethical approach to life does, I think, work toward the goals of a Liberal Arts education, whether religious or not. This task asks students to step away from themselves, if only momentarily, and think with some depth about the outside world. What could be more educational than that? Thanks Professor Fox. I teach at a very similar kind of institution and, to continue the article's theme, I am very grateful for the kind flexibility it offers my teaching. Perceived pressures from "The Profession" can be debilitating for me sometimes. But this article reminds me that that shouldn't necessarily be the case.

I'm sometimes surprised at how much the traditional Liberal Arts have in common with faith (of any stripe). To name just one commonality, both are invested in educating the whole person, not simple providing Job Skills. This professor's emphasis on a certain ethical approach to life does, I think, work toward the goals of a Liberal Arts education, whether religious or not. This task asks students to step away from themselves, if only momentarily, and think with some depth about the outside world. What could be more educational than that?

Thanks Professor Fox.

]]> By: Marleen http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9095 Marleen Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:12:04 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9095 Excellent thoughts for the day! Thank you! Excellent thoughts for the day! Thank you!

]]> By: Heidi http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9087 Heidi Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:27:47 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9087 I have kept a similar practice at the start of my classes, asking for prayer requests and then for praises for the simple & mundane blessings, as well as for the quasi-miraculous. That sense of gratitude for blessings does indeed benefit all of us and our learning--and it deepens our sense of community. Thank you, Deborah Fox! I have kept a similar practice at the start of my classes, asking for prayer requests and then for praises for the simple & mundane blessings, as well as for the quasi-miraculous. That sense of gratitude for blessings does indeed benefit all of us and our learning–and it deepens our sense of community. Thank you, Deborah Fox!

]]> By: Martha http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9081 Martha Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:11:38 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9081 Students are not the only ones who need to practice an attitude of gratitude. Many of us employed in academia take for granted the flexibility and many other benefits that such jobs provide. I walked in to work today with a real "attitude" (not gratitude) and I am glad that I took the time to read this article and try to get my focus back on giving instead of resenting. Students are not the only ones who need to practice an attitude of gratitude. Many of us employed in academia take for granted the flexibility and many other benefits that such jobs provide. I walked in to work today with a real "attitude" (not gratitude) and I am glad that I took the time to read this article and try to get my focus back on giving instead of resenting.

]]> By: Janet Willis http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9080 Janet Willis Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:38:28 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9080 I found this article to be one of those "ah ha" moments, followed by "why didn't I think of this?" Interestingly enough, my students are "high potential, high need (financially)" and yet entitlement is still a challenge within this group. A mere "thank you" is a rare occasion. I am going to take these thoughts and implement in my own college classroom. Thank you for sharing. I found this article to be one of those "ah ha" moments, followed by "why didn't I think of this?" Interestingly enough, my students are "high potential, high need (financially)" and yet entitlement is still a challenge within this group. A mere "thank you" is a rare occasion. I am going to take these thoughts and implement in my own college classroom. Thank you for sharing.

]]> By: Sarto http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9079 Sarto Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:57:39 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9079 She didn't say it did. She didn't say it did.

]]> By: Sarto http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9078 Sarto Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:41:37 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9078 "Humanity," as in "it's in our nature" to recognize that gratitude is a virtue? But why should we be virtuous? Just wondering how you're going to defend this without theism. "Humanity," as in "it's in our nature" to recognize that gratitude is a virtue? But why should we be virtuous? Just wondering how you're going to defend this without theism.

]]> By: Sarto http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9077 Sarto Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:39:16 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9077 This is the single smartest little article I've seen yet on this site. I've seen so much stupid stuff I've also quit the list several times. I am glad I didn't. This is the single smartest little article I've seen yet on this site. I've seen so much stupid stuff I've also quit the list several times. I am glad I didn't.

]]> By: Mohammed Advany http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9076 Mohammed Advany Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:55:30 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9076 One of the requirements of being Muslim is being humble. No religion has monopoly on humbleness. One of the requirements of being Muslim is being humble. No religion has monopoly on humbleness.

]]> By: Karl Salscheider http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9073 Karl Salscheider Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:03:45 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9073 MAK: If you are saying that a person can be grateful without religious beliefs, I certainly agree. On the other hand, if someone has accepted the gift of eternal life (whether someone else believes him/her or not), then that person can and would be very grateful. MAK: If you are saying that a person can be grateful without religious beliefs, I certainly agree. On the other hand, if someone has accepted the gift of eternal life (whether someone else believes him/her or not), then that person can and would be very grateful.

]]> By: billw http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9072 billw Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:55:24 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9072 Thanks for the thought. I think all of us should model for our students a moral compass for our lives. it should be all around us during the whole school day. Thanks for the thought.
I think all of us should model for our students a moral compass for our lives. it should be all around us during the whole school day.

]]> By: MAK http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9069 MAK Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:41:39 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9069 I think faith has nothing to do with being grateful. An 'attitude of gratitude' comes from the humanity of a person rather than his/her religious beliefs. I think faith has nothing to do with being grateful. An 'attitude of gratitude' comes from the humanity of a person rather than his/her religious beliefs.

]]> By: Steve Wilson http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9067 Steve Wilson Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:24:17 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9067 Gratitude is one of six practices that prevent hardening of the attitudes <a href="http://www.worldlaughtertour.com/pdfs/GHL-WLT.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.worldlaughtertour.com/pdfs/GHL-WLT.pdf</a> Gratitude is one of six practices that prevent hardening of the attitudes http://www.worldlaughtertour.com/pdfs/GHL-WLT.pdf

]]> By: Gerry http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/engaging-students-in-a-habit-of-gratitude/#comment-9065 Gerry Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:09:17 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=38368#comment-9065 I think this deliberate attention to an "attitude of gratitude" can be nothing but good for all of us! Thanks for a great idea that I am going to try in my own classes. I think this deliberate attention to an "attitude of gratitude" can be nothing but good for all of us! Thanks for a great idea that I am going to try in my own classes.

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