Carol A. Hand
Who would believe it?
That inspiration for grading student papers
would come from advice inside a fortune cookie?
“Nine tenths of education is encouragement.”
I will just have to wait and see
if following this advice helps students
overcome at least some of their fear
about taking a course in “research”
***
***
An apt quote from my horoscope on an unremarkable day a while ago:
“Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing.” (Wernher von Braun, rocket scientist)
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Voices from the Margins 
You’ve probably already know this, but when I was teaching I read a study where students who only had what they did right pointed out to them progressed more than students who were shown what they did wrong. If you keep encouraging what’s good, much of what’s bad can fall by the wayside.
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And forgive my shorthand in using “good” and “bad”!!!
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Shorthand works, Diane. 🙂 This is how people tend to view feedback on their work. I used to grade by hand with green ink. Although I now give feedback via computer, I avoid using “red type” and try my best to point out strengths and ask questions about what seems to be missing. But I understand why so many instructors don’t do likewise. It is a time-intensive process. 🙂
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I first began noticing that people overwhelmingly responded better to positive feedback than to negative when I was supervising people back in the days I was in business.
The differences were so noticeable that I made it a personal policy to almost exclusively focus on what people did right. The result, in business terms, was exceptionally productive workers who were not afraid to assume responsibility for their work.
If I told you some of the things they told me about their work environment, you’d think, “But they can’t possibly be talking about their jobs. People just don’t talk about jobs like that!” More than once, I was told the office was a “loving” place.
It might amuse you to know that I got a lot of inspiration for my management style out of the Tao Te Ching.
But you are so correct, Carol, that my style of management required a whole lot more work on my part than it would have if I’d done it some other way. Strange how doing it the way I did it gave the appearance of not doing much of anything! 😀
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Ah, such astute observations and insights, Paul. It does appear to be an effortless way to teach or supervise from the perspective of others who haven’t tried this approach. In the long run, though, it really is less work and the creativity it unlocks is sometimes absolutely astonishing.
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Thank you so much for sharing this, Diane. It’s a crucial message that is easy to forget when we feel overwhelmed by work. 🙂
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Ha-ha-ha! Amusing reflections, dear Carol! Indeed! I fully agree about the research quote. However, we must confirm for certain, that no matter what! the research will be done! Have a nice teaching time! Greetings to Quennie!
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It’s so good to hear from you, Maria. Thank you for your delightful comments and blessings. (Queenie just bowed and stretched his wings when I relayed your greetings.) ❤
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Great! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Same here, dear Carol! Good luck with your students!
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practical
& wise
cookie 🙂
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Indeed, David. I have placed the printed message by my computer monitor as a reminder. 🙂
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The fortune is right on! 🙂 xo
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Yes it is right on, Bette, and so well-timed. ❤
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“Nine tenths of education is encouragement.”
~ As a former teacher and student, I totally agree. Teachers often have no idea the challenges their students face to attend school and to study at home. I was once such a student.
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The supportive teachers are a gift in our lives, aren’t they, Rosaliene? They help us learn to believe in ourselves, and if we are very lucky, we will have opportunities to pass on that gift to others.
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In high school, I was blessed in having such supportive teachers.
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Their investment was wise, indeed, Rosaliene. 🙂
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Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely video, Superduque. ❤
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I love to be encouraged and encouraging.😘
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Thank you for a lovely comment, P.J. 🙂
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So true in my personal experience and in my children’s experience too, the research over the years certainly bears it out, but in a real way, surely this is the mindful and positive route to learning through engaging the whole person. Thank you Carol. Also – love the video posted here too, I love rain on leaves when I’m hiking it is wonderful.
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Thank you for sharing your experiences and well-earned wisdom, Paul. ❤
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My pleasure- enjoying your writing
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Thank you, Paul. I am enjoying your writing, too. Your poetry is deep and lovely.
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Many Thanks
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