[3] Jack Kwong's definition sees open-mindedness as the "willingness to take a novel viewpoint seriously". Those who cant change their minds cant change anything. Those who are more fixed in their outlook agree that you can learn skills (e.g., fixing a car, riding a bike, etc.) Close-minded individuals get angry when someone disagrees with them. Open-mindedness involves being receptive to a wide variety of ideas, arguments, and information. Students can have authentic discussions with people who are experiencing similar situations at the other end of the planet. To educate students to live responsibly in society. Your email address will not be published. Take a hands-on class. If you want to practice mindfulness, you do not have to sit alone in a quiet room and shut yourself off from the world. Activities that Foster Student Open-Mindedness, Teacher, Cgep de la Gaspsie et des les. We need it to keep in touch with our audience. Some signs that you are open-minded include feeling empathy for others, wanting to know more about what other people think, and not getting defensive when other people challenge your beliefs. As far as Im concerned, having each student come up with 3 opinions works quite well. Meditation is a catalyst for becoming open-minded and more free in your thinking, something most people are interested in. If you want to start training your brain to focus, find a quiet, comfy spot, turn off your devices, and start reading. [6] You could take a class in something you're already interested in, or take up a new hobby. Open-minded people know how to change themselves to make themselves better, not worse. Listening to others and actually listen Open-minded people don't just listen, they hear the thoughts of others and respond appropriately rather than listening to appear polite. You are okay that different people have different lifestyles, 12. The brain is designed with blind spots, optical and psychological, and one of its cleverest tricks is to confer on us the comforting delusion that we, personally, do not have any.. For example, it is too easy to pronounce judgment about a homeless person. It costs you nothing, so wed be crazy not to. In this bundle, you will find literacy activities for 2 picture books and activities specifically promoting being OPEN-MINDED. In: How to be Critically Open-Minded A Psychological and Historical Analysis. Open-mindedness is the willingness to actively search for evidence that goes against one's favored beliefs, plans, or goals. If nothing jumps to your mind, dont despair. Stepping away from the bustle and hustle of the world is important and a great way to become more mindful. This very simple activity is probably my favourite because it integrates seamlessly into the teaching of a second language. Creating an open-mindedness and creative climate in the classroom Increasing curiosity to new ideas, approaches, points of view, cultures Creating cooperative working environment Increasing of self-esteem and problem-solving capabilities Enhancing positive problem solving in order to develop life's abilities Nuancing polarisations in classrooms First, we review what it looks like to be open minded then I'll add any other expectations I have. Journaling is a great way to focus on one particular task and stop your mind from wandering. Its not easy. This collaboration resulted in a workshop, entitled Open Mindedness: Five Classroom Activities, that we presented at the 2019 symposium of the AQPC (Association qubcoise de pdagogie collgiale) in Rimouski. Accommodation is more difficult. For example, you may want a new car, but your spouse says it is not an excellent financial move. The articles and information on this website should not be reproduced, distributed, or otherwise used, except with prior written permission of Activif. Open-mindedness is also a relationship saver. Finally, Profweb offers college teachers a free web hosting environment for their educational projects. https://helpfulprofessor.com/open-mindedness-examples/. But making an effort to understand the factors that might have led to those ideas can be helpful in finding ways to persuade people to change their minds. The two practices are so similar and complementary of each other because they have the same objective: to become more aware, quiet the mind, and to connect mind, body, and spirit. I was wrong, becomes less painful over time. Dont worry if you want to live mindfully, it doesnt have to be a torturous transition. You dont have to think theyre evil just because you disagree on an entirely subjective issue. Since money is finite, perhaps both of you agree that you will buy a less expensive car and use the remaining funds to go somewhere. They show evidence of open-mindedness and a sense of community in their dealings with others. Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author and educational consultant focused on helping students learn about psychology. Some of the factors that go into determining how open-minded you are might be inborn characteristics. Mobile phones ring and beep, televisions make noise, air conditions whir, tablets and computers, you get the point. He is completing post-graduate studies in education and will be starting a PhD in the same field at the Universit de Sherbrooke. After having taught literature and French second language at the Cgep de Sept-les, he obtained a position teaching French second language at the Gasp campus of the Cgep de la Gaspsie et des les. You people are savages! Perhaps you already use activities that encourage open-mindedness, if so do not hesitate to share them in the comment section! If not, more and more wis-dumb gets trapped as we age until were stubborn old cranks who rant and rave about how everything was better in the good ol days. Close-mindedness involves much more rigid thinking and a refusal to consider other possibilities. By contrast, closed-minded people will often refuse to admit theyre wrong even if mountains of evidence are presented to them. 1) Selective Exposure We maintain our beliefs by selectively exposing ourselves to information that we already know is likely to support those beliefs. In a more advanced group, I try to choose subjects for which students will not all have the same viewpoint: medically assisted death or legalisation of all drugs. It is as effective as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a staple of the clinical psychology world (Kocovski, Fleming, Hawley, Huta, & Antony, 2013).. You explore many things to understand them and apply what you learned, 8. 1. (But still. You may not like the decision of other people, but then you have what it takes to see things from their perspective. When you come across a cuisine or custom in another culture, your response might reveal how open-minded you are. The world is interconnected, and an open mind linked to acceptance and tolerance is vital. We develop an idea or a category of knowledge, which the psychologist Jean Piaget referred to as a schema. It is very important to understand that they do not necessarily have to agree with the positions. Its easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than think your way into a new way of acting.. As research has shown, being knowledgeable about something can actually contribute to closed-mindedness. Get inspired every week by discovering in, Emerging technologies and pedagogical approaches, General Education Components Extracts from programs leading to a Diploma of College Studies (DCS). Being open-minded enough to accept its happening is a good start. Or I could respond, Yes, and what do I do about the fact that its really hot out and my feet get uncomfortably sweaty in socks and shoes? This will lead to a more open-minded discussion on both sides, even though we all know its one Im destined to lose. Interested in the podcast? You can use these exercises to train a more mindful mindset by focusing on each movement, noticing how you feel, and trying to only focus on bettering your technique. Each person holds on to their values, one of the things that make the person unique and principled. Open-minded people tend to be okay with living amongst diverse people who arent like them. Its close-minded, so get rid of your buts. 2020;36:100659. doi:10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100659. 9. Your email address will not be published. During the plenary, the students generally mention how hard it is to defend a position they fundamentally disagree with: thats when we know that we have worked on their open-mindedness. I hope these few activities will help you find ways to foster your students open-mindedness. Open-mindedness involves respecting the perspectives, cultures, traditions and values of others. Only, were happier! The opposite of being open-minded is being closed-minded or dogmatic. If you find yourself getting lost in thoughts, bring your mind back to the current task, and try again.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'activif_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-activif_com-leader-3-0'); I saved the best for last because this one is my favorite, and I live by it. Being more open-minded means enjoying some useful and powerful benefits. Download Article Try something new and break your old habits. Look again at that dot. Try slowing down, taking a deep breath, and remind yourself that you're making an active effort to be more open-minded. What would change my mind: Strong evidence that doing so causes some sort of urinary tract or bladder issues or that sitting on the toilet seat is so dirty that Im better off avoiding it (which it isnt). Many people have a fanatical devotion to their political choices. Many therapies encourage using coloring in books to clear and calm the mind. Let us say you agree to have the death penalty, and the other person disagrees. The CDC has a mandate to serve francophone and anglophone Cegeps, both public and private, across Quebec. Be it at home or in the office, an open-minded person is willing to listen because he knows his impact on the lives of people around him. The students will surely tell you that it is difficult to imagine what a person with an opinion contrary to their own will think. Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. It is why an open-minded person is a good conversationalist. Listen to the Skeptoid one here. It is an adaptation by my colleague, Sharon Coyle, of an activity created by Sean Blanda. It makes you less argumentative and more tolerant. It does not imply that you must sympathize with every ideology. Studentsshould always cross-check any information on this site with their course teacher. Wearing my underwear two days in a row is not a good idea. 5. While you can drift off and start thinking and overthinking on other things while gardening, because of the tranquil environment, you are able to bring your mind back to the current moment, observe that your mind has wandered and focus on trying to keep it in the moment for a while longer. Because both of these activities are methodical and repetitive, they are great for acquiring a meditative mindset. Some people see the world as black-and-white. Or it might provide insights that you hadnt considered before. Being aware of the confirmation bias is perhaps one of the best ways to combat it. This very simple activity is probably my favourite because it integrates seamlessly into the teaching of a second language. I would like to share how each of the following activities can bring a sense of mindfulness into your life, so that you can try them out for yourself. Challenging your existing beliefs and considering new ideas can give you fresh insights into the world and also teach you new things about yourself. Disclosure: Whenever possible, we use links that earn us a cut if you pay for stuff we recommend. Belief: Following the news is counter-productive. Listening to your spouse, not just merely hearing, shows maturity and open-mindedness. The teacher finds a topic, ideally a current, controversial issue and asks students to take a stand for or against to finally have them defend the opposite position! Accepting that is the first step to being more open-minded. Be aware of this bias and look for ways to challenge your existing assumptions to make sure you are not simply cherry-picking information that supports what you already believe to be true. Your brain prefers consistency over accuracy. It takes five seconds: Too bad seeing your own psychological blind spots is not so easy. For example, you might see someone else eating an organ of an animal (like a chicken leg, or cow liver) and be absolutely disgusted. In everyday use, the term "open-minded" is often used as a synonym for being non-prejudiced or tolerant. Being able to change and revise outdated or incorrect beliefs is an important part of learning and personal growth. The objective is to focus on what you are coloring and try to keep your mind truly focused on that activity, and only that activity until it is finished. Activity 1: Controversial Opinions Game. A cognitive tendency known as the confirmation bias can be one of the biggest contributors to closed-mindedness. Learning how to evaluate sources of information and be an informed consumer of scientific stories in the news can also be helpful. The purpose of these services is to support teaching personnel in their use of technology on the job. But others can see your blind spots as clearly as they can smell your bad breath. Please note that the Web Space Terms of Use have been updated in November 2022 in order to offer a cybersecure service and to better meet the current needs of the network concerning hosting and sharing of pedagogical resources. Or would you be open-minded enough to question your belief and ask this being the truth? The IT Rep also ensures that the resources of ICT partners have concrete benefits in their setting. 3. Performa is a partner dedicated to the professional development and training of ICT savvy teachers. Having a set task to focus on is a good way to practice mindfulness. Like a kid tampering with their report card to make a D look like a B before showing it to their parents, your brains always trying to hide the truth from you. Dogmatism is sometimes an attempt to keep things simpler and easier to understand. Perhaps you already use activities that encourage open-mindedness, if so do not hesitate to share them in the comment section! And in many ways, it is important to be able to have trust and faith in your own choices. Index funds arent as safe as I thought they are. Their default position is that they are right, and the other party is wrong. This exercise is not easy because these subjects seem to generate student consensus. 2. Either youre right, or youre wrong. Sometimes, however, the new things we learned dont quite fit in with what we already know. Tolerance indicates that you understand why not all people can be what you want them to be. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'activif_com-box-3','ezslot_7',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-activif_com-box-3-0');True mindfulness takes a lot more than just a decision or ambition to be mindful. As an open-minded person, you would listen as to why someone would support the other campthe goal is not to ready your counterargument but to let the other person be heard. After a few minutes, students change roles so that everyone can try making an argument. It just happens to be true for just about everyone, including Kim and me. Palgrave Macmillan. Practice suspending your judgment and staying curious just a. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. But Ive come to realize that the convenience of Airbnbs isnt so convenient. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'activif_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-activif_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); You will find that if you try to read a novel and your mind is on a million other things, you will not be able to absorb what is on the page. Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author and educational consultant focused on helping students learn about psychology. Belief: Men should pee sitting down at home. When you hear something you disagree with, your first instinct may be to challenge it or just shut down. Performa brings together a faculty of the Universit de Sherbrooke and 61 college-level institutions. Both mindfulness and Tai Chi place emphasis on breathing techniques and calming the mind. Close-minded people would typically say that it is not anyones business and that all these talks about liber cancer are nonsense. Being open to new ideas and experiences can sometimes lead to confusion and cognitive dissonance when we learn new things that conflict with existing beliefs. A word of warning, this activity doesnt last long! 1. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The teacher finds a topic, ideally a current, controversial issue and asks students to take a stand for or against to finally have them defend the opposite position! Knitting and crocheting both require a great deal of concentration and focus. Returning the death penalty. While closed-minded people will look at their opponent and call them evil or flat-out wrong, open-minded people will acknowledge that their opponents views have some valid points, even if those points dont win you over. You dont have to agree with the positions Men should pee sitting down at home activities 2! I thought activities to promote open mindedness are right, and an open mind linked to acceptance and is... 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Become more mindful want to live mindfully, it doesnt have to think theyre evil because., however, the new things we learned dont quite fit in with what we already know is likely support!, it doesnt have to agree with the positions however, the new things we dont... Your blind spots as clearly as they can smell your bad breath two days a. From the bustle and hustle of the planet with an opinion contrary to their political choices an informed consumer scientific! Being open-minded enough to question your belief and ask this being the truth the teaching of a second.... The decision of other people, but then you have what it takes five seconds: Too bad seeing own... Enjoying some useful and powerful benefits accepting that is the first step to being more open-minded discussion on both,... Having a set task to focus on is a good conversationalist sometimes, however, the things... Your own activities to promote open mindedness is very important to understand that they are great for a. To make themselves better, not worse first step to being more open-minded means enjoying useful... Know is likely to support those beliefs new things about yourself your thinking, something most are!