Education sharing session without “blocking” part II

Tiffany – Art Appreciation

Art should not be considered an abstract concept, and art appreciation should go beyond simply ticking off museum visits on a checklist. In the second half of the tea party, Teacher Tiffany brilliantly conveyed this message. Despite often being mistaken for an art teacher (similar to my experience, where parents thought I taught English or Russian…XD), Teacher Tiffany emphasized that there is a distinction between being a lover of art and being an artist. Just as one can enjoy watching movies without being a director, one can appreciate art without being an artist (although romantic fantasies from movies don’t always translate to real life…XD…sorry for digressing).

In recent news, there has been a significant development. Lee Sedol, the Korean Go champion, announced his retirement, stating, “Even if I become the world’s number one, there is someone I can’t beat.” In 2016, representing humanity, Lee Sedol was defeated by DeepMind’s AI, AlphaGo. This defeat in a game that requires profound thinking highlights the potential elimination of ordinary jobs by AI technology. Even Jack Ma couldn’t help but remark, “In the past, art couldn’t be eaten, but in the future, if you don’t understand art, you won’t be able to eat!” Here, art refers not only to the ability to paint but also to the cognitive process that art appreciation stimulates, activating thinking power in the brain.

Teacher Tiffany provided another example to challenge the stereotype of art. In 2019, there was Jack Ma, and in 1863, there was “Manet” in France. The latter revolutionized the art world with the “salon of the rejects,” and the painting “Lunch on the Grass,” which we have seen today, is a prime example. Both “Mr. Ma” and “Manet” share a commonality: they broke free from the fierce competition of the red ocean and created a new, uncontested blue ocean. Who says art has no connection to business? Art appreciation cultivates a discerning eye. Moreover, high-end business transactions often rely on communication in art-related settings.

In conjunction with the exhibition at the [Cat Art Museum] in Kaohsiung,

Mr. Tiffany will also be presenting “Le” and other famous paintings in Kaohsiung on January 12th (Sunday). Sibo holds a monthly “Famous Painting Detective” class with different teachers (in March, Lara will collaborate to introduce France and Italy~).

In this class, students find clues within paintings and learn about people, places, times, and objects.

From an artistic standpoint, nurturing future leaders requires a vision as sharp as an eagle’s and the ability to identify new opportunities in the blue ocean.

Tao Jie – Thinking about Future Issues
The shortcut to the future is your point of view on the issue

At the tea party, Teacher Tao posed several questions that sparked enthusiastic discussions among the parents present. One of the questions raised was whether robots should be subject to taxation. With the potential displacement of numerous jobs by robots, governments may experience a decline in tax revenues. The absence of personal income tax raises the question of how governments would sustain their operations. This particular question had not crossed my mind before, but it urged us to think logically, engage in discussions, and speculate. It is important to note that not every question has a definitive answer, but by practicing our thinking abilities, we can begin to address unanswered questions.

In 2020, Mr. Tao plans to initiate experiments in addition to the thinking camp led by Aisibo. Due to the inability to gain access to the existing system, the school intends to take charge of providing quality education independently. This proactive approach reflects the anticipation for a new and innovative educational experience. I am eagerly looking forward to it!

Lara often shares with others the notion that the current education system originated during the first industrial revolution. During that time, the United Kingdom required a large workforce to perform repetitive mechanical tasks. As a result, the system sought individuals who were disciplined, obedient, and single-minded. This principle likely influenced not only the classroom decor but also the teaching methods employed. However, in the 21st century, this system has become inadequate. With the advent of advanced technology, we can now write a program and simply copy and paste it into a robot’s memory to accomplish such tasks. This raises questions about the relevance and effectiveness of the traditional education system.

Lara’s mention of the American TV series “Westworld” alludes to a fictional world where robots develop their own ideas and envision a future beyond their initial programming. This concept prompts us to ponder our own capacity for independent thought and imagination as human beings. If even robots can possess ideas and plan for a world beyond their original design, what does this imply for us as humans? It highlights the importance of cultivating our creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

During the discussion led by Teacher Tao, several questions were raised, and the parents present engaged in enthusiastic discussions. One of the questions that sparked interest was whether robots should be subject to taxation. As robots are expected to replace many existing jobs, this displacement could potentially impact government tax revenues. The absence of personal income tax raises the question of how governments would sustain their operations. This particular question is thought-provoking and prompts us to think critically and engage in logical reasoning, discussions, and speculation. It is important to recognize that not every question has a definitive answer, but by practicing our thinking abilities, we can explore new perspectives and approach unanswered questions.

Looking ahead to 2020, Mr. Tao has plans to initiate experiments in addition to the thinking camp led by Aisibo. Recognizing the limitations of the existing system, the school aims to take control of education independently. Although access to the system may not be feasible, the school is committed to providing quality education. This proactive approach reflects a spirit of empowerment and anticipation for a new and innovative educational experience. The prospect of running a good education ourselves is something to look forward to.

STEAM Lab – Programming Computational Thinking

Since my son was four years old, I have been interested in STEAM-related courses for him. Coding and programming, in particular, have gained popularity in recent years and have been on my radar. Finally, when he turned six, he was able to enroll in some robotics courses. However, after attending a few sessions, I couldn’t help but feel a bit lost. Many of the experience courses I encountered seemed to be a combination of teaching materials, and in conversations with the teachers, I sensed their own frustrations.

The concept of programming requires a long-term understanding and the development of habits. It is challenging to teach such a subject in a short-term interest class, especially when parents often expect to see tangible “finished products” after each session. The truth is, our own journey in programming begins with understanding the hardware. We need to comprehend the functions of the CPU, memory, chassis, and other components. Without a grasp of these tools (hardware), how can we expect the textbooks and software to effectively utilize each part in the future?

A notable example is the reputation of Russian hackers worldwide. They don’t necessarily have access to the most advanced computers or cutting-edge resources. Even in the remote forests of Siberia, they may have outdated computers at their disposal. However, they are able to develop software that conquers the world, such as Russian Block games and Kaspersky Antivirus. This achievement is a result of their focus on learning from the fundamentals, rather than merely piecing together existing resources.

In essence, it is crucial to lay a strong foundation in understanding the hardware and fundamental principles of programming. This knowledge will enable us to create innovative and impactful software in the future. It is a reminder that true mastery comes from a deep understanding of the core concepts, rather than relying solely on pre-existing materials.

Teacher Maggie gave everyone a plate of green clay and toothpicks,
and asked everyone to use their hands and brains together to make a “sturdy house”.
Everyone is trying and finding the answer again and again.

It’s wonderful to hear about your enthusiasm for the class offered by Sting Lab at Guanghua Mall. When you learned about their curriculum planning from Teacher Maggie at SteamLab, you were immediately drawn to it and decided to enroll your children. Teacher Maggie aims to provide age-appropriate learning opportunities that cater to the different stages of children’s cognitive development. They believe in starting with hands-on activities and gradually guiding children to become small Makers, using computational thinking as a language to cultivate their computer skills. The ultimate goal is to equip children with problem-solving abilities that they can apply in real-life situations. This approach highlights the overarching objective of learning, which is to address cross-domain problems rather than focusing solely on programming skills. It emphasizes the importance of learning practical skills that can be utilized beyond the confines of school exams.

On December 7th, there will be a #OneHourCoding event at the Aisibo Education Center in response to the initiative by the US Department of Science and Technology Education. Sting Lab aims to promote the spirit of Sting, and everyone is welcome to participate. Additionally, Lara is currently in discussions with Mr. Maggie, exploring the possibility of collaborating in 2020. Together, they plan to lead children of all ages on a journey that combines technology and culture, allowing them to understand the world from a futuristic perspective while appreciating its historical roots. It’s an exciting prospect, and there’s much to look forward to in the future. (Lara’s anticipation is palpable!)

After writing these two articles,

I am deeply moved. It is evident that there are many individuals who are dedicated and putting in great effort on the path of education.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Michelle, the founder of this platform, for supporting this idea and giving us the opportunity to gather together. As the saying goes, unity is strength.

I am also incredibly grateful to the lecturers who have placed their trust in Lara.

When I presented my ideas to them, they supported me wholeheartedly without hesitation. Their unwavering support means a lot to me.

Moving forward, we will continue to work diligently, brainstorming ideas, and striving to provide more cross-domain learning courses.

We aim to share educational concepts that transcend limitations and boundaries, fostering open and unrestricted learning experiences.