Inspiration: Do you have effusive passion?

inspiration |ˌinspəˈrā sh ən|

noun

1. the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative : Helen had one of her flashes of inspiration | the history of fashion has provided designers with invaluable inspiration.
   • the quality of having been so stimulated, esp. when evident in something : a rare moment of inspiration in an otherwise dull display.
   • a person or thing that stimulates in this way : he is an inspiration to everyone.
   • a sudden brilliant, creative, or timely idea : then I had an inspiration.
   • the divine influence believed to have led to the writing of the Bible.
2. the drawing in of breath; inhalation.
   • an act of breathing in; an inhalation.

ORIGIN Middle English (in the sense [divine guidance] ): via Old French from late Latin inspiratio(n-), from the verb inspirare (see inspire ).

A few days ago I was working with some students in my “drop-in computer lab” helping them out with various projects when a teacher rushed up excitedly:

“Have you seen a day made of glass?! You HAVE to see this!“

While her attention was focused on me, her passion at this moment was immediately contagious students, who up until that moment had been working to complete “tasks” for other classes, began looking over to where we became huddled next over a computer screen. As she began to bring up YouTube, words kept tumbling from her mouth with almost a zeal of their own…

“How cool! Can you imagine? Think of the possibilities…“

Now the looks from students became body shifts in the attempt to see our monitor; to try to not seem too interested, but to catch our attention to be “invited” in some way to share whatever experience this teacher was so energized about… Then the video began to play…

As the music began to play and the teacher’s enthusiasm began to bubble again, the student leans became more pronounced; with some students even getting up or rolling over to actually become part of this “experience”.  Even though I was in the center of this growing wave of inspiration, I was more interested in this impact on the students as opposed to what was actually happening on the screen. Within the first minute of the video the entire drop lab population (about 25) was huddling around a 21″ computer monitor oohing and ahhing. Five minutes and fifty-three seconds later, the students began talking:

“Can we watch it again?”, “I missed the first minute, how did it start?”, “That IS cool! But, how can…”, “Did you see how…?”, “Was this real?”, “Is this here today?”, “I want that…”,
“Can we watch it again?!”

So, I brought the projector online, we closed the curtains and turned off the drop lab lights to watch “A Day Made of Glass…” again. This time the reaction was immediate through the video…

“Look at that!”, “I didn’t see that the first time…”, “Can you imagine…”, “What kind of job does that?”, “I’d never be lost again.”, “Wow, any surface could be a computer…” – “No silly, the computer would be gone… all that is left is information and a way to link it to people…”

While the ideas and possibilities do grow as one “thinks” about the concepts inherent in the video, the enthusiasm, energy, magnetism, and inspiration for this collective moment came solely from the attitude and effusive passion of a single teacher.

One teacher, One moment, transformed a group of disparate young minds from simply completing individual learning tasks to sharing a vision of possibilities.

Students began trickling back to their computers discussing the video; wanting to share the ideas with others. Some began looking up glass technology (and possible careers). Some began modifying what they had been working on to adapt or include these “futuristic ideas”. When the hour was over, they all broke from the moment energized to share what they had learned with others.

This moment in time reminded me of an “open letter” a friend of mine wrote to his children’s teachers.

I’m writing with hopes that you’ll consider carefully how precious the time is that you’re able to spend with my children. Realistically, during this time of year, you’re able to spend more time with them than I. Do you realize how lucky you are?

Like many parents, I’m not as concerned with how well you teach my kids to take tests. I’m really not. In fact, I’d rather you use each priceless minute to captivate their imaginations, guide them in deep thinking, help them to create, and cultivate a love of learning so deeply engrained that they grow to no longer need your services.

For those of you who don’t know Darren Draper, he is a great person and an amazing and passionate educator. The entire text of his letter can be found here.

Formal learning and structured education is to often about perseverance, rules, and guidance and practice with WAY too much testing thrown in for good required measure. While this format gives the idea that test scores will be positively impacted by practice, any gains are easily lost when the next round of test prep begins… Inspiration though…

Inspiration:  Lasts Lifetimes… Holds the Key to Investigation, Amazement, and Discovery…
Shapes the Future…

Definition of inspiration: From Mac OS X built in dictionary

Video Credit: Corning Incorporated – via YouTube

Image Credit: h.koppdelaney via Flickr CC