Kevin J. Browne: Philosopher | Educator | Composer
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PHILOSOPHICAL INSIGHTS

More Thoughts on Using Badges

3/29/2021

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In one of my most widely shared articles I wrote about the benefits of using badges in the classroom.   After field testing badges for several semesters I thought it was time to add some reflections and address some problems with badges.  

For the most part I still believe that there are benefits to using badges but I also think some of the claims made on behalf of badges and gamification are overly optimistic.  Badges are certainly not a magic bullet for address problems in education.  


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How to Fail and Win

3/22/2021

 
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In giving us a picture of his life story Scott Adams has also given us some valuable insights into success, failure and how they are interrelated.  Most people who are successful end up that way as a result of failing and then trying again repeatedly.  


And, you have to be willing to learn from failure as opposed to letting it paralyze you into inaction.  To do this Adams gives some very useful tips to remember including: 
"Goals are for losers.  Systems are for winners."
"Passion is bull.  What you need is personal energy." 
"A combination of mediocre skills can make you surprisingly valuable."

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How Should We Live?

3/15/2021

 
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If you've ever taken a history course you've probably been told that one good reason to learn history is that it will help you live your life better.  There are many variations on this argument and they are all good.  But, they are not persuasive.  I suspect part of the problem is that these argument are not supported with good examples.  ​

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Microtrends

3/8/2021

 
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What social forces will have major impact in the next ten years?  More than likely, whatever they are, there are already signs that they are at work changing our world.  Since they are now small movements it is difficult to tell what effects they may have.  More so since there are other small movements currently active which will come to naught.  How can we distinguish the microtrends which will impact us from the ones that won't? ​

​One option is to study previous microtrends that, in fact, have led to major changes.  That is the subject of Mark Penn's book Microtrends.

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Obliquity

3/1/2021

 
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Being goal oriented is a popular virtue these days.  There are innumerable websites promoting all sorts of methods to increase productivity, wealth, health, happiness, and so much more.  The sometimes unstated, but more often over-stated, message of many of these resources is that we need to sit down, clearly define our goal, and march directly towards it.

Our failure to achieve these goals is then attributed to our lack of focus, lack of drive, lack of persistence.  But, what if our real failure is related to our attempt to achieve our goals directly?  What if we shifted our focus away from our ultimate goals?  Perhaps we would have better success in achieving them.

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    KEVIN J. BROWNE

    Philosopher / Educator

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    These blog posts contain links to products on Amazon.com.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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