Usually when I find a video online that someone claims will “blow my mind,” I approach cautiously. Often it is something entertaining but quite forgettable; the majority of the rest of the time I wish I could get those several minutes of my life back. Once in awhile, though, a video will evoke an emotion that sticks with me and ultimately makes me critique something else in my life.
Today, this reality check came in the form of an animated short that was shared with me on Twitter as no less than “something that will blow my mind.” So, before we continue, let’s talk about the power of perceptions and preconceived notions. Two questions:
- What do you think of when you hear animated short?
- Based on your perception of the term “animated short,” what is an expected storyline that could “blow your mind?”
My preconceived notions came in the form of thinking cartoon when reading animated short and presuming a storyline containing an emotional uplifter would be the focus of the piece.
Now, take your perceptions and watch this video:
Wow, right? A stunning and incredible story, no doubt, but perhaps an even better display of someone’s ability to challenge what is expected of not only themselves, but an entire genre and still have a tremendous impact.
It is easy to get complacent and stick with what seems to work (or in many cases, what we’ve always done). If you reflect on this animated short, the producers and writers took a chance – stepped way out of the norm – and created a beautiful story and quite literally developed a new genre of animated films. Our classrooms are no different. Perceptions and preconceived notions of teaching and learning have stopped us from innovating, asking questions, and accepting the fact that we have the power to change the genre.
How do I start? Create a norm within your team that it is expected to think outside the box and to challenge our traditional methods of teaching – make that part of the daily conversation with your team.
Stop teaching, banish the phrase “that’s what we’ve always done” and dub it the “killer of creativity,” and start challenging the status quo.
Banish the phrase “that’s what we’ve always done” and dub it the “killer of creativity.” Click To Tweet
Interested in what the creators thought of their video? Watch here:
Yes! We have to start asking WHY and stop mindlessly continuing systems and processes that don’t make any sense… and really, when we think about it, don’t work. Jeff, thank you for bringing up this crucial conversation.