Supplementary Material for Chapter 8 Discovering Authentic Hope: Helping Students Reflect on Learning and Living with Purpose This chapter is published as: Langmaid K. 2016. Discovering Authentic Hope: Helping Students Reflect on Learning and Living with Purpose. In: Byrne L (ed) Learner-Centered Teaching Activities for Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Springer, New York. DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-28543-6_8 Kimberly Langmaid Sustainability Studies Program, Colorado Mountain College, Edwards, CO, USA Walking Mountains Science Center, Avon, CO, USA [email protected]This file contains the following supplementary material: A: Quotes, definitions and references for Instructors … beginning on p. 1 Page 0
Transcript
Supplementary Material for Chapter 8
Discovering Authentic Hope: Helping Students Reflect on Learning and Living with Purpose
This chapter is published as:
Langmaid K. 2016. Discovering Authentic Hope: Helping Students Reflect on Learning and Living with Purpose. In: Byrne L (ed) Learner-Centered Teaching Activities for Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Springer, New York. DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-28543-6_8
Kimberly LangmaidSustainability Studies Program, Colorado Mountain College, Edwards, CO, USAWalking Mountains Science Center, Avon, CO, USA [email protected]
This file contains the following supplementary material: A: Quotes, definitions and references for Instructors … beginning on p. 1 B: Champions chart for instructors … beginning on p. 3 C: Student worksheet … beginning on p. 4 D: Conversation guide and gallery walk for students … beginning on p. 12
Page 0
Supplementary Material A: Quotes, definitions and references for instructors
Authentic Hope: “Authentic hope…is made of sterner stuff than optimism. It must be rooted in the truth as best we can see it, knowing that our vision is always partial. Hope requires the courage to reach farther, dig deeper, confront our limits and those of nature, work harder, and dream dreams…Hope, authentic hope, can be found only in our capacity to discern the truth about our situation and ourselves and summon the fortitude to act accordingly” (Orr 2011; p. 332).
Hope: “Arises when a positive goal is felt as being within reach…concerns ideas of the future…is imbued with positive feelings about the future; it is a kind of conviction about the unproven…people feeling a high degree of hope take action, and have the ability to figure out ways to reach their desired goals…[hope] is a strong motivational force which gives energy to act in the absence of certainties” (Ojala 2011; p. 627).
Purpose: “A stable and generalized intention to accomplish something that is at the same time meaningful to the self and consequential for the word beyond the self” (Damon 2008; p. 33). “Our purpose is an expression of the deepest dimension within us—of our central core or essence, where we have a profound sense of who we are, where we came from, and where we’re going. Purpose, when it is clear, is the aim around which we structure our lives, a source of direction and energy, and the way the meaning of our lives is worked out in daily experience” (Leider 2010; p. ix).
Talent: “A natural way of thinking, feeling, or behaving” (Rath 2007; p. 20). “A special ability that allows someone to do something well” (www.merriam-webster.com).
Values: “General, stable, strongly held judgments or preferences for end states or ways of acting that serve as goals that apply across different contexts” (Clayton and Myers 2009; p. 212).
Vision: “Visioning means imagining, at first generally and then with increasing specificity, what you really want. That is, what you really want, not what someone has taught you to want, and not what you have learned to be willing to settle for. Visioning means taking off the constraints of “feasibility,” of disbelief and past disappointments, and letting your mind dwell upon its most noble, uplifting, treasured dreams” (Meadows, Randers, Meadows 2004; p. 272).
This Authentic Hope Spiral diagram conveys the ongoing recursive personal discovery process of authentic hope. Authentic hope is not a static end point, it is a state of being empowered in the process of creating a better future.
Page 1
References & Additional Resources:
Clayton S, Myers G (2009) Conservation psychology: Understanding and promoting human care for nature. Wiley-Blackwell, West Sussex, UK
Damon W (2008) The path to purpose: How young people find their calling in life. Simon and Schuster, New York Dietz T, Fitzgerald A, Shwom R (2005) Environmental values. Annual Review of Environmental Resources
30: 335-372.Hardman J (2012) Leading for regeneration: Going beyond sustainability in business, education, and
community. Earthscan.Iliško D, Skrinda A, Mičule I (2014) Envisioning the future: Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students’
perspectives. Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability 16: 88-102.Leider R (2010) The power of purpose: Find meaning, live longer, better. Berrett-Koehler PublishersMeadows D, Randers J, Meadows, D (2004) Limits to growth: The 30-year update. Chelsea Green.Meadows D (1994) Down to earth video. Donella Meadows Institute. Available online:
http://www.donellameadows.org/archives/envisioning-a-sustainable-world-video/ Last viewed on May 26, 2015
Merriam-Webster. Talent. Available online: www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talent Last viewed May 26, 2015.
Ojala M (2011) Hope and climate change: The importance of hope for environmental engagement among young people. Environmental Education Research 18: 625-642
Orr D, (2011) Hope is an imperative: The essential David Orr. Island Press, Washington, DCRath T (2007) Strengths finder 2.0. NY: Gallup PressSaunders C (2003) The emerging field of conservation psychology. Human Ecology Review 10: 137-149Uhl C (2013) Developing ecological consciousness: The end of separation. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
This worksheet is designed to help you: 1) reflect on your values, 2) assess your talents, 3) write a vision statement, and 4) draft a personal statement of purpose. Articulating a personal purpose statement can help support your learning and engagement with environmental and sustainability issues and generate more hope and well-being your life.
1) Take a Survey of Your ValuesValues are “general preferences for end states or ways of acting; they serve as goals that apply across different contexts and underlie more specific attitudes, preferences, and behaviors (Clayton and Myers 2009; pg. 17). Values are the foundational qualities and virtues within you. We all have a set of values that are shaped in part by our history, family, friends, education, and cultural traditions. Personal values serve as a compass that helps guide peoples’ attitudes and behaviors.
The list of values below is adapted from Shalom Schwartz’s value survey (Dietz, Fitzgerald, and Shwom 2005). The values are listed here to help you reflect on what is most important to you in terms of your learning, lifestyle, ideas, and future work.
Rate the values as to how they reflect what you stand for – what’s most important to you? Identify things you actually value, rather than what you think you should value. Rate each value on a scale of 5-1. 5 = Most important to you. 1 = Least important to you.
Value SurveyScore5 4 3 2 1 Equality (equal opportunity for all)5 4 3 2 1 Inner harmony (at peace with myself)5 4 3 2 1 Social power (control over others, dominance)5 4 3 2 1 Pleasure (gratification of desires)5 4 3 2 1 Freedom (freedom of action and thought)5 4 3 2 1 A spiritual life (emphasis on spiritual not material matters)5 4 3 2 1 Sense of belonging (feeling that others care about me)5 4 3 2 1 Social order (stability of society)5 4 3 2 1 An exciting life (stimulating experiences)5 4 3 2 1 Meaning in life (a purpose in life)5 4 3 2 1 Politeness (courtesy, good manners)5 4 3 2 1 Wealth (material possessions, money) 5 4 3 2 1 National security (protection of my nation from enemies)5 4 3 2 1 Self-respect (belief in one’s own worth)5 4 3 2 1 Reciprocation of favors (avoidance of indebtedness)5 4 3 2 1 Creativity (uniqueness, imagination)5 4 3 2 1 A world at peace (free of war and conflict)5 4 3 2 1 Respect for tradition (preservation of time-honored customs)5 4 3 2 1 Mature love (deep emotional and spiritual intimacy)
Page 4
5 4 3 2 1 Self-discipline (self- restraint, resistance to temptation)5 4 3 2 1 Detachment (from worldly concerns)5 4 3 2 1 Family security (safety for loved ones)5 4 3 2 1 Social recognition (respect, approval by others)5 4 3 2 1 Unity with nature (fitting into nature) 5 4 3 2 1 A varied life (filled with challenge, novelty, and change)5 4 3 2 1 Wisdom (a mature understanding of life) 5 4 3 2 1 Authority (the right to lead or command)5 4 3 2 1 True friendship (close, supportive friends)5 4 3 2 1 A world of beauty (beauty of nature and the arts)5 4 3 2 1 Social justice (correcting injustice, care for the weak)5 4 3 2 1 Independent (self-reliant, self-sufficient)5 4 3 2 1 Moderate (avoiding extremes of feeling and action)5 4 3 2 1 Loyal (faithful to my friends, group) 5 4 3 2 1 Ambitious (hard-working, aspiring)5 4 3 2 1 Broadminded (tolerant of different ideas and beliefs)5 4 3 2 1 Humble (modest, self-effacing)5 4 3 2 1 Daring (seeking adventure, risk)5 4 3 2 1 Protecting the environment (preserving nature)5 4 3 2 1 Influential (having an impact on people and events)5 4 3 2 1 Honoring of parents and elders (showing respect) 5 4 3 2 1 Choosing own goals (selecting own purpose)5 4 3 2 1 Healthy (not being sick physically or mentally)5 4 3 2 1 Capable (competent, effective, efficient) 5 4 3 2 1 Accepting my portion in life (submitting to life’s circumstances)5 4 3 2 1 Honest (genuine, sincere)5 4 3 2 1 Preserving my public image (protecting my “face”)5 4 3 2 1 Obedient (dutiful, meeting obligations)5 4 3 2 1 Intelligent (logical, thinking)5 4 3 2 1 Helpful (working for the welfare of others)5 4 3 2 1 Enjoying life (enjoying food, sex, leisure)5 4 3 2 1 Devout (holding to religious faith and belief)5 4 3 2 1 Responsible (dependable, reliable)5 4 3 2 1 Curious (interested in everything, exploring)5 4 3 2 1 Forgiving (willing to pardon others)5 4 3 2 1 Successful (achieving goals) 5 4 3 2 1 Clean (neat tidy)
Prioritize Your ValuesFrom the list of values above, select the values that you scored the highest, those that are the most important to you. If you rated more than five values with a score of five, you’ll have to prioritize them.
List your top five values here: 1. ______________________________________2. ______________________________________ 3. ______________________________________ 4. ______________________________________ 5. ______________________________________
Page 5
Define Your ValuesWrite your own definition of each of your top five values and add a brief statement as to why each value is important to you.
Value 1:_______________________________Definition: Why is this important to you?
Value 2:_______________________________Definition:
Why is this important to you?
Value 3:_______________________________Definition:
Why is this important to you?
Value 4:_______________________________Definition:
Why is this important to you?
Value 5:_______________________________Definition:
Why is this important to you?
Page 6
2) Identify Your Natural TalentsPeople make greater contributions when they are doing things that they are good at and truly enjoy. Each person has specific abilities, instincts, gifts and talents and when she or he is engaged in them they become energized. As you review the list of words below and circle each word that speaks to your natural talents, keep the following questions in mind:
When do I feel most energetic and fulfilled? What am I really good at? What do I really pay attention to? What is the gift I regularly offer to others? What do people consistently come to you for?
As you go through the list, look for what sounds like you. Try to avoid identifying with only your acquired skills, but look for your natural gifts. Circle the top ten words that speak to your natural talents. Then go back and narrow the list down to your top five talents. The more your exercise your natural talents, the stronger they will become.
Circle the ten words that most describe your natural gifts, abilities and talents: Persuading Promoting Motivating Competing Managing Coordinating Delegating Planning Analyzing Organizing Evaluating Acting Solving problems Creating Designing Visualizing Building Restoring Learning Researching Exploring Deliberating Collaborating Being Fair Being Disciplined Focusing Responsibility Investigating Facilitating Writing Serving
Your Five Most Important Natural TalentsFrom the ten words you circled, list the five that really represent your strongest talents. Then, using the space below, describe how this quality manifests itself in your life and how you might do more of it. Research has shown that life is more fulfilling when you tap into and build upon your natural talents.
1) _____________________________ manifests itself in my life by…and I can do more of it by…
2) _____________________________ manifests itself in my life by…and I can do more of it by…
3) _____________________________ manifests itself in my life by…and I can do more of it by…
4) _____________________________ manifests itself in my life by…and I can do more of it by…
5) _____________________________ manifests itself in my life by…and I can do more of it by…
3) Write a vision statement of a flourishing futureBefore you write your vision statement read the suggestions below. A flourishing future is more desirable than a sustainable future because it restores and improves natural systems and human relationships rather than sustaining the current conditions.
8
Suggestion: Watch the 30-minute video of Donella Meadows, a professor of environmental and sustainability studies, give a speech about the importance of vision. http://www.donellameadows.org/archives/envisioning-a-sustainable-world-video/
Suggestions adapted from the book “Limits to Growth: The 30-year Update” by Meadows, Randers, and Meadows (2004) from a section of their book titled “Visioning” (pgs. 272-274):
Vision means imagining, at first generally and then with increasing specificity, what you really want…not what someone else has taught you to want.
Let your mind dwell upon its most noble, uplifting, treasured dreams. Visionary human intentions can bring forth new information, new knowledge, new
technology, new institutions, new physical structures, and new powers within human beings.
Now, close your eyes for 5-10 minutes and imagine yourself in a sustainable future in detail. What does it look like? Try to see it in detail. What is happening? Who is around you and what are they doing? Imagine yourself happy, acting on your values, and using your talents. What are you doing? How are you interacting with others to create a flourishing future? Write your 2-3 paragraph vision statement here (or if you want to use your talents as an artist, draw a picture of your vision):
Your Summary Purpose Profile Guide—Compile Your Reflections Here
Top Five Values1. ______________________________________2. ______________________________________3. ______________________________________4. ______________________________________5. ______________________________________
Top Five Talents 1. ______________________________________2. ______________________________________3. ______________________________________4. ______________________________________5. ______________________________________
Top Five Elements of Your Vision 1. _______________________________________2. _______________________________________3. _______________________________________4. _______________________________________5. _______________________________________
4) Write a Personal Statement of Purpose“Your purpose. Your aim or goal. Your reason for being. Your reason for getting up in the morning…Purpose is fundamental to human life…Purpose is not only what makes us human, it is the one thing that cannot be taken from us. Purpose gives us the will to persevere. It gives us a reason to get up on the morning. Purpose gives us courage…Purpose is that deepest dimension within us – our central core. It is the quality we choose to shape our lives around. Purpose is already within us waiting to be discovered.” (Leider 2010; p. 3)
Drawing upon your core values, your talents, and your vision for the future, reflect for a moment on how all these factors contribute to your sense of purpose. Now, write a statement in the space below that captures the essence of who you are and what you’d like to be. Don’t worry about getting it exactly right; it will evolve naturally over time. Some people suggest your purpose statement should be a short and simple phrase or sentence, so that it could fit on a t-shirt. There is no one right way to express your purpose. One way to start would be, “My purpose for the next several years is to…”
10
Note: This worksheet was adapted from an activity provided by the Vail Leadership Institute. The author, Dr. Kim Langmaid, is a certified leadership faculty with permission to adapt and reproduce this activity. For more information see: www.vailleadership.org.
List of Worksheet References:Clayton S, Myers G (2009) Conservation psychology: Understanding and promoting human care
for nature. Wiley-Blackwell, West Sussex, UKDietz T, Fitzgerald A, Shwom, R (2005) Environmental values. Annual Review of Environmental
Resources 30: 335-372.Leider R (2010) The power of purpose: Find meaning, live longer, better. Berrett-Koehler, San
FranciscoMeadows D (1994) Down to earth video. Donella Meadows Institute. Available online:
http://www.donellameadows.org/archives/envisioning-a-sustainable-world-video/ Last viewed on May 26, 2015.
Meadows D, Randers J, Meadows D (2004) Limits to growth: The 30-year update. Chelsea Green, White River Junction, VT
Supplementary Material D: Conversation Guide and Gallery Walk for Students
Instructions: Provide a copy of this file for each student to use during their conversations and gallery walk. Students gather in small groups of 4-5 and share their work from the “Discovering Authentic Hope” worksheet and collaborate to create a group poster diagram that displays their collective values, talents, visions, and statements of purpose. Posters are viewed and discussed during a “gallery walk” at the end of the class session.
20 minutes – students talk in small groups while using the conversation guide questions below to share their results and reflections from the homework worksheet
15 minutes – students work together in small groups to create a collaborative spiral diagram poster
10 minutes – students view group posters during a “gallery walk” 5-10 minutes – instructor debriefs the activity by asking students to share major insights
Conversation Guide for Students—Take notes using the conversation guide questions below. Answer each question before proceeding to the next question.
1. What were your top five values from the worksheet? How do these values support sustainable behaviors? How are they barriers to sustainable behaviors?
2. What did you identify as your top five talents? How do these talents manifest in your life? Which talent would you like to actively do more of and strengthen while helping create a more sustainable and flourishing world?
3. Share your vision of a flourishing future. What were some of the most important elements of your vision?
4. Share your statement of purpose. Can the wording of your purpose statement be more clear and impactful? How can you make your purpose statement “stick” so that you remember it on a regular basis? Generate helpful feedback from the group.
12
5. Once each person in the group has shared their work from the worksheet, each small group should collaboratively design a poster to share their worksheet results with the whole class. Students use the Authentic Hope spiral diagram to design their posters.
6. Students put posters up around the room go on a “gallery walk” to view and discuss the posters of other small groups. While on the gallery walk, discuss the following:
How are the other posters alike and different from your own groups’?
What ideas from the other posters are most compelling?
Is there anything missing (in terms of values, talents, visions, and purpose) from all of the posters that would prevent the class as a whole from creating a flourishing future?
Are their enough similarities amongst all posters to generate a whole class shared vision?
