Brain and Music: Amazing

I was browsing You-Tube and stumbled upon this gem.  Dr. Charles Limb explains how different areas of the brain respond to different types of music.

I find it very fascinating that we as humans are all created with near similar biological constructs, but the interaction and processes from brain to brain are vastly different; no two brains are similar.

How to breed creativity?

After reading Howard Gardener's 5 Minds and Ken Robinson's books on creativity, I am puzzled with one idea. How can we enhance our creativity.  I believe everyone is creative, but many people on see in black & white, they follow strictly to the rules or to the minute detail, while failing to miss the big picture. Why is this?  Robinson has argued time and time again, that Schools kill creativity. Is this true?  From my own personal experience, I would say yes.  Within the US School system, schools created creativity as long as it fit into the standardized box.  Creativity does not belong in a box.

Top books I have read recently

As I'm working in a school and love learning I have been reading books that inform me about learning processes but also, more precisely, how the brain works.  This posting is simply a listing of some books I have read recently that are very eye-opening when it comes to our brain, our mind and their functions. 

The Political Mind  George Lakoff
Out of our Minds: Learning to be Creative. Sir Ken Robinson
The Tell-Tale Brain: A Neuroscientist's Quest for What Makes Us Human Ramachandran, V. S.
Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain. David, Engleman
How the Mind Works: Stephen Pinker
Your Brain and Business: The Neuroscience of Great Leaders Pillay, Srinivasan S., M.D.
Thinking, Fast and Slow  Kahneman, Daniel
The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science--and Reality Mooney, Chris
Mind, Brain, and Education Science: A Comprehensive Guide to the New Brain-Based Teaching Tokuhama-Espinosa, Tracey
Introducing Neuroeducational Research: Neuroscience, Education and the Brain from Contexts to Practice   Paul Howard-Jones
Neuroscience. Neuropsychology, Neuropsychiatry, Brain & Mind: Introduction, Primer, & Overview 
Joseph, R.

Being Reflective

As I continue on with my PGCE work, we question the difference between reflexive and reflective are they mutually exclusive or a counter balance of each other. Does being reflective only relate to the academic world? How often do we take time to withdraw and analyze how our lives are moving?

The US Elections are nigh!

The US presidential elections are only a few weeks away. I hope you are registered and ready to vote. As I live in Bangkok, I have already submitted by ballot via the State of Georgia's absentee system. The absentee system is quite archaic; everything should be online these days. No matter where we are in the world, one should be able to put in his/her name into the computer and vote. easy peasy. I wonder if the long process is a deterrent to keep people from voting? Please get informed on all the issues and vote for whomever you believe will be the best fit for the entire US (not just a select few). The next debate between the candidates will be on foreign policy, Obama should have it in the bag; he just has to swing the bat when he's at the plate.

How the world goes.

It has been some months since I last updated. But, I feel it is a good time to reconnect with this blog. Jacqui and I are both studying to become teachers, because working in an international school (and having very minimal interaction with students) is not very fun. My job is advancing this year, and I'm taking it all in great stride.

As the World Turns:

Currently,

The Academy Awards are being presented to for the best movies of 2010.

In Libya, however, militant groups, rebels, and local citizens are collaborating to oust the oppressive Regime.

China police forces took the streets when reports of a 'Egypt Style' revolt was taking to the streets.

The Kenyan government is feeling international pressure for giving little support for their mentally disabled.

Julian Assange has been extradited, he now lies in the US's hands.

Today marks the anniversary for the tremendous earth quake in Chile.

US Republicans are adamant about cutting spending ie: Reduction of budgets for Americorps, Foreign Programs and State Department, and the contribution to international organizations.


Happy Monday everyone.