Professional Development Minutes

How might you introduce slow pedagogy in your classroom?

Cell phones are environmentally unfriendly. But they are also mentally draining. Dr. Angela Duckworth recently gave a commencement speech at Bates College, arguing for detaching and disconnecting from our cell phones. 

Check out the Cult of Pedagogy Podcast episode on cooperative learning. Click here for the podcast.

I live in southern Ontario, Canada. About a week ago, there was a winter storm. Update: The roads are cleared, but the sidewalks are still filled with snow, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk. This is a good example of the theory-practice divide. Walking paths have low priority compared to roadways. Walking improves physical and mental health, reduces emissions, and is an affordable way to travel. Yet, car-centric culture remains dominantly practiced in most Western societies.

Good news - hugging has health benefits! Check out the news story: The power of hugs for reducing inflammation in the body

An interesting lecture by Dr. Nel Noddings on care ethics:

Last week, I was interviewed by the New York City-based environmental publication one5c about my article “ The Long Haul: Reflections on Decluttering ” published by the Journal of Sustainability Education.  I was asked to respond to the following question: As I declutter my home, what do I do about the feeling that I'm creating a big pile of trash?  My response: Feelings and emotions are central to sustainability conversations. This question speaks directly to negative feelings like guilt, disgust, and sadness. Let these negative feelings  be a catalyst for change and personal growth. Use them to break the repetitive pattern of buying, accumulating, and decluttering.  Feelings can motivate the desire to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle: thriftiness, the sharing economy, and minimalism.  Feelings can also stimulate a desire for broader social change for the climate. Trash Dialogues is a concept that I developed to have broader conversations abo...

Respond to one of the following questions: How are you feeling? What did you learn so far this week? How do you show care? Photo credit: here

Imagine being buried with all the material stuff that you have ever purchased or been gifted or owned at some point in your life. Think about the clothes you have worn, the electronics you have used, the furniture that has decorated your home.  The thought is overwhelming.  But this is essentially what we are doing to the planet.  When we declutter - and dump what we don't want, we are trashing the planet, burying it in items that will never biodegrade.  What I call  Wasted Planet Movements are designed to encourage trash discussions and taking action to slow down the waste.  Join the movement today. 

Did you drink a cup of coffee this morning? Did you know that the coffee industry is connected to abuse and environmental degradation?

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary,   mindfulness is defined as: " the quality or  state  of being conscious or aware of  something ".  Mindfulness includes many aspects. There is mindful meditation, relational mindfulness, and mindful consumption. Another form is mindful eating! 

Want an easy, cool, fun sustainability project? Try this: How-To Make A No Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag in 10 Minutes

People Are Falling In Love With AI Chatbots. What Could Go Wrong?