One of the major attributes of education today is that everything is prescribed. Students learn very specific… fb.me/6QRXk4Pry
The Ledger 9.13.15
One of the major attributes of education today is that everything is prescribed. Students learn very specific skills, which will be assessed at the end of the year via standardized testing. While there are some positives to the idea that every third grade student will learn the same material, there are some unintended consequences.
In this week’s column we discuss the issues that accompany prescribed learning. If you like the column, check out our latest podcasts (The Mental Breakdown: Episodes 24 and 24.1) on iTunes and on our blog, as we spend spend a lot of time talking about the risks associated with the direction our education system is moving.
Read the column here: Dr. Berney: Teaching how to learn
Bernie Horn: The Common Core “Results” Are Not Actually Test Scores: MUST READ! wp.me/p2odLa-baL
Just a few days left to register for our next Workshop
From Normal Worry to Impairing Anxiety
Worry is a… fb.me/4o5RaIUYP
Episode 23: Decision Making
We all know “black and white” thinkers. Though often used in a negative context, “black and white” thinkers tend to see through the gray in life and view things as either positive or negative. That is, they reduce decisions to a yes or a no and move on.
Many people see this as a problem. After all, life is full of gray.
Making a decision requires two steps. First we have to weigh the pros and cons, the advantages and disadvantages, of each option. This is the world of gray. For each option, there are numerous possibilities – some good, some not so good. As a result, we spend a lot of time in this step.
The second step – choosing your option – gets us back to black and white. There is very little, if any, gray in this step. You do not have to sit and ponder. You will either go left or right, there is nothing between the two.
Now that we have that sorted out, let’s get back to the real problem – all the gray to worry about and fuss over. At times, this decision-making leaves us paralyzed. It leaves us… decisionless.
In this podcast, Dr. Berney and Dr. Richard talk about the importance of identifying the critical, fundamental question at the root of the decision. Once that question is identified, a black and white decision must be made. From there, all other “what ifs” will be dealt with.
Dr. Berney and Dr. Richard also talk about therapeutic approaches to dealing with challenges associated with this first, and most critical step in making a change. If you are struggling with making a decision, we hope that this podcast will help you take the first step to change.
This podcast was produced by Mr. Andrew Rasmussen.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The Ledger 9.6.15: Answer the Black and White Question First
The focus of this week’s column is on decision making. When we find ourselves trying to make a decision, we realize just how much gray there is in the world. What if I do this? What if I do that? Sometimes we are paralyzed by the “what ifs.” In this column we are encouraging you to break your decision making process down to the fundamental question, which is typically a black and white decision. Then, once you’ve made the decision, deal with the gray.
Read the column here: http://www.theledger.com/article/20150906/COLUMNISTS0419/150909731/1484/life?Title=Dr-Berney-Answer-the-black-and-white-question-first-
Long term benefits to High School athletics
In addition to improved physical health, high school athletics have long term effects on one’s confidence, leadership abilities, and self-respect. This is a nice article summarizing a study that looked at these attributes in adults who were high school athletes. Great little read!!
Read the article here: http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu/op/sports_at_work