ClappingTree’s Web 2.0

FOR CENTURIES AND PERHAPS EVEN EONS, many wise men have used thought-provoking methods of teaching their followers. For example, Jesus, Socrates, Confucius, and so on, have expertly used a question and answer technique to help their disciples or followers learn to think for themselves. However, in academic circles, pedagogical theories have only recently evolved from instructivism to constructivism.

For some time, many researchers and practitioners would support one school of thought and criticize the other school of thought. For them, this is often a mutually exclusive (’either or’) choice and not an inclusive (’both can do’) choice. Read the rest of this entry »

“It’s not wise to violate the rules until you know how to observe them.” — T.S. Eliot
“I don’t think anybody can be creative [dealing] with people sitting around a conference table.” — Charles Shultz

THESE DAYS, i’m once again intrigued by the concept of duality — just like earlier days when i was continually fascinated by many apparently contrary sayings of wise men such as Laozi, Buddha and Kahlil Gibran.

Was reminded of this while showing my Engineering Communication students a Graphics Design video last Monday evening. The narrator was introducing the key steps to successful design: (1) Purpose, (2) Media & Arena, (3) Supplies & Results, and (4) Discipline & Freedom. Read the rest of this entry »