So…What Is Your Modiva?

I learned on thing from him…and that is…everyone has a ‘modiva’…

Modiva is “motive” in Spanish. Everyone has a reason to be doing what they are doing. If you understand why you are doing something, you will be able to focus on what you are doing, better. For example, if your motive is to go to work everyday to bring in money for your family than realize that you are going to have to do what is required of you, so you don’t lose that job. If your motive for going to work everyday is because you it will be a step in your career, and you are “just doing your time” until you get enough experience, than continue to look ahead on what your “next step” is. They say if you are starting your own business, your motive should never be “to make more money”, but instead, do something you really enjoy. Your customer service will be great, your customer base will grow, and they money will follow. In a business plan, your motive for the business should always be first and foremost in your mind. Henry Ford’s goal was to make a car affordable for everyone. He focused on his motive, invented (for all intense and purposes) the assembly line, and mass produced a car that was available in all colors, as long as it was black. His success blossomed, and the money came is.

Always be aware that people you encounter have a motive, from the 18 year old at McDonalds (wants to be a manager, or can’t wait to get another job), to the Doctor in the emergency room (loves the excitement of the ER or is an Intern, and must finish the 18 hour shift).

I ask my question often when I go through my work day….from by boss, to the parents, to the students, to the fellow teachers….what is their motive?….what is driving them?….why are they here?….why is their child enrolled in my school?….

What is my motive for this blog? I have alot of knowledge in the education world. I’ve taught from k-university level. I have many ideas on how to help students learn, and would like to reach more students. I have added a page called: Writer’s Clinic. In Writer’s Clinic, I will be posting information that will help instructors add to their teaching, and would also like teachers to add to this blog with great ideas.

So what do you have going on in your life? What is your modiva….?

Photo Credit: University Libraries; University of Washington

Play To Learn, Learn to Play

As education continues to move toward proof of student’s academic learning through testing and statistics, it inadvertently moves further away from understanding whole student, development and the life-long learning process of learning. The reason for this blog is to reach an audience who is interested in practical application as opposed to theoretical rhetoric, and I acknowledge that the overall goal of academia is for our youth to be educated so they are productive and successful members in our society. When I was a student teacher, my master teacher had a great saying: Play to Learn-Learn to Play. His understanding of his kindergarten students was that if the teacher/facilitator/parent, realizes that children, and for that matter adults, enjoy interacting on a non-stressful and engaging level, the activity can teach them the same concept as “practicing” the information with pencil and paper. Soon, I will be releasing an ebook that give 25 free (or nearly free) practical ways to practice reading with your young child. Please stay tuned!