"Look Up"

Assignments to engender mindfulness and assess feelings have yielded promising results thus far.  Students have been choosing their own current event topics, apply concepts from the text, and then sharing with the class.  Sharing activities largely occupy class time with time spent researching, interviewing, experiencing, etc. done before class.  As they ponder how to 'do something' to improve the situations they are researching, thoughtful responses evolve.

In assignments focusing on mental health (depression) and several on technology, students identified that it would be best to try spending less time with technology.  Instead, many sincerely suggested just smiling at each other in the halls and starting a conversation!  Another shared an excellent video on the importance of "Look[ing] Up" from your phone.

These revelations may be important for the future of Kirkwood as well.  One student shared in class that her friend decided to go to Clarke University in Dubuque rather than Kirkwood after noticing that no one at Kirkwood talked to each other in the halls because they were all too busy on their cell phones.  Indeed, when I left that class, not one student in any group was speaking: they were all busy with their thumbs.  I counted no less than 60 students, all of which were occupied with technology rather than each other.

Students stated that it was 'scary' to consider putting down their phones in favor of having real conversations, but I hope they try it anyway.  I will be encouraging many to do so as part of their individual change projects near the end of the semester