Randy+Lofgreen


 * Randy's Page**
 * I took six pages of notes on this reading and I am not going to write them all down on the Wiki. Here are some of the highlights.**
 * I like the research and I can see that they have done a good job of recognizing a character trait in people that drives them to success. To go farther then call it a character trait, I think that if everyone were aware of this idea of progressive problem solving rather than problem elimination, we would probably have a greater percentage of experts in our society. I believe that most people use education to improve themselves. So often, as the reading points out, we find ourselves in "problem elimination scenarios" were that is the de facto way of life and expectation. I think people, on the whole, look for a way to improve their lives and want to find the "FLOW" the reading talks about. I have found myself in both situations and found "FLOW" fulfilling and the dead end a dead end. Just having people read this article, identify the successful patterns and understand how to use it for their benefit would improve many people's performance.**
 * I wanted to add a little of my own insight (ha ha) into this idea of "expertise." Uygotsky, the Russian social scientist pointed out that being an expert begins very early. It starts when we first help mama make the bread or learn to make our bed or dress ourselves. Expertise is relative. A 16 year old is an expert in multiple ways compared to a toddler. I wonder if this whole idea of "expert" can be recharacterized as our individual capacity to achieve. This capacity is based on motivation, talent, environmental factors (like upbringing, birth order, etc) and inherent gifts from God. The parable of the talents comes to mind. And some were given 10 and other 5 and other 1. On the other side of the coin, do some fail to achieve or have limited achievement based on the same factors or because they chose to be lazy or waste their energy on worthless endeavors. I don't beleive all men were created equal (I am one of the lesser beings), we just believe we have equality before the law. The point is, we all start at birth and excercise these qualities of "expertise" until we hit our capacity or comfort level and then we become rigid and comfortable and earn what we earn because we are satisfied with our lives. Some will achieve more than others. It happens with tall, taller and tallest trees. It happens in nature all around us.**
 * There are many who do not achieve there potential because they don't know how. These are the ones that can benefit from this information. Everyone should read it and evaluate their own performance. Those who make hiring decisions will have to use some standard of measurement. Achievement will never be equal, however. But using "progressive problem solving" can help us all achieve __more__.**
 * I think the FLOW is the key. I might call this the spirit if I may. As long as we are progressing, we are going to feel good. Are we moving up or down the ladder? I have seen people develp the auto response in many ways. Parents that are overwhelmed with one child and then have 5 and serve in the Church and community and are still striving to improve their lives with scriptures and education, etc.**
 * I hope to use this idea of progressive problem solving in my career as a teacher. The teaching field is one that grants tenure to school teachers after two years and then they can't be fired. It promotes a "problem elimination work environment." (Watch the movie: Waiting for Superman) for a real eye opening review of how our education system is being compromised. And then get your kids in a charter school. (little personal plug for charter schools).**

Randy

The discussion on inheritance also made me think of the parable of the talents. This is a principle that I believe wholeheartedly. I feel that as teachers it is partly our responsibility to expect the most out of students, recognizing that will probably vary from student to student. As for ourselves, I am almost one to believe that we need to forget about any limitation we may have and simply try to do all we can. Why limit the amount of expertise we can achieve? Your comments are insightful, gracias.

Hannah's comment: Randy, your comments are great. When I read this article, I was focusing so much on how we really need to stretch ourselves--and when I think of that I envision people reaching for the stars. You reminded me though that everyone is at a different place. We can all be "experts" in a relative sense if we are each giving our own 100% and everyone's 100% varies (as the parable of the talents reminds us--I love that parable!). Anyone at all can progressively problem solve, it doesn't matter what they've achieved compared to someone else.

Also it makes me smile that you took 6 pages of notes on the article. It was a good one, huh?

Randy, I can attest that you took six pages of notes on this article. You were in the library every instance I walked in this past week! I enjoyed your response and do agree about our own individual capacity to achieve. However, even though we have our own individual capacity to achieve it does not mean we will achieve it. we are all given certain abilities and gifts, however we need to develop them through hard work and effort. The analogy of the "Flow" and the spirit I think can work. The spirit can guide us and let us know when we are on the right track in the same sense that the "Flow" is that inner voice telling us to press on and continue improving ourselves in that particular field we are working in. - Mark