Category Archives: Literature

School, What Is It Good For?

Posted on by under Government & Politics, History, Literature, Philosophical

How can we transform schools to create more engaged and informed citizens? It is our driving question for our last project of the year and one that we share our learning through the spring exhibition. In this blog post, I will share and reflect on my learning in the “School, what is it good for” project.

My Answer to the Driving Question


“Education is about both head and heart,” said Cecil Race, an elementary principal in Alberta for 20 years. Similarly, I believe the foundation of education is not about memorizing knowledge or facts but rather inspiring and developing positive minds. My focus in this project is to create a program that combines experiential learning with ethical education to bring students substantial impacts on their worldviews. You will learn more about homelessness by talking with someone experiencing it than in a classroom with all the statistics. With the same logic, you will learn more about morals and virtues in a real-world situation than with papers and pens. After reflecting on my experiences in Taiwan and Canada, I realized that ethical education is often skipped over or avoided. News reporters, especially those in Taiwan, often criticize individuals for not making moral decisions; however, they seldom question the issue’s root causes. At the end of the day, how can we expect one to make the best, most ethical decisions without explicitly teaching them what’s right and wrong? My idea was fully solidified after I investigated programs and studies worldwide. Unsurprisingly, I wasn’t the first to come up with the belief, nor am I the only one supporting it.

Reflection on My Learning Journey

People climbing books. isolated on white background. Vector illustration. Eps 10

I am generally proud of the interactive elements I have at my station. Especially the digital display of examples, which brought me a lot of trouble as I had no clue how to make it at the beginning. As a side product of spending hours problem-solving and having headaches, I now know exactly how to make sophisticated interactive charts to share my message. At the same time, I can confidently say that I pushed my comfort zone in this project by investigating topics I never explored before. Most importantly, I can say to myself, in the end, that I put in a surplus amount of effort as I am probably the only one that stayed at school till six and worked on PLP till 1 AM.

Looking back, I should improve my time management skills for greater efficiency. Although the effort is important, what matters more is efficiency, where you use your time and energy. One of my biggest mistakes was that I overestimated my capabilities to create a model, resulting in poor time allocation. Although I eventually constructed a model, I believe I can refine and modify the details and the appearance better with better time management. In other words, I think the execution stage is where I can grow and improve the most, as the final product is only about 70% perfection in my mind.

Impact on My Personality

Recently, I had to do a presentation on learning with my parents and teachers, which allowed me to dive deeper into thinking about how each project contributes to a more mature dynamic worldview. In other words, I questioned how this project, even in a small way, made me a better person. Ultimately, this project allowed me to develop a stronger sense of justice and responsibility toward our society. At the core, I can reflect on my identity and worldview and have the chance to reevaluate them. Through constructing a course myself, I have a deeper understanding of the purposes of schools and a greater appreciation for all the teachers designing and executing their systems for our excellent sake. Instead of complaining, I can “seek first to understand” the reasons and rationales behind each decision. Essentially, this unit brings me a different view on schoolwork and assignment with the realization that their goal is to make us better people. Because of this new perspective, I can now enjoy school more. So thank you, teachers, for all the hard work to help us become more informed and engaged citizens.

Thank you for your time 

Hope Project

Posted on by under Literature, Philosophical

Who do you admire the most? Often, the individuals we respect are the ones with resilience who can see the light through despair and perhaps benefit from adversity. Recently in the project of hope, we studied resilient and admirable individuals and sought to learn from their stories. In this blog post, I will summarize my learning journey in this blog post

Answer to the Driving Question

“What lessons and inspiration can we draw from the stories of individuals and communities that have faced tragedy and overcome adversity?”

(Picture Sources)

As I dive deeper into the project, I am amazed at how resilience allows us to shine in the darkest time. Victor Frankl‘s quote inspired my answer to the driving question: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” My biggest takeaway from this project is that poor backgrounds, physical disabilities, and harsh environments don’t limit your possibilities. Despite all the tragic events we encounter, we can still make our life meaningful and inspiring with our positive growth mindsets. Throughout the individuals I studied, it is common that they all have the determination to endure all the obstacles for the better future they have in their minds.

The Final Product

Self-Evaluation and Spaces for Improvement

(Picture Source)

Overall, I have a stronger desire and curiosity toward this unit as I see the lasting effects that may come with hard work. While it is one of the most meaningful projects, I find it interesting. Because I value this project, I have put more thought into this project than ever. Other than my research skills, my decision-making skills are another highlight during the process. But after all, I am afraid that my final product failed to show how impactful their stories are to me. Although it may be a complete story, I know it is not a creative nor a stunning video. The video lacks original films. Looking back, the execution part of this project is where I struggled the most. I may have had a great concept and understanding of the purpose behind this project; however, I could have executed it better. In the future, I hope to improve my creative skills, like filming, storyboarding, and video editing, to create a more impactful final product. Also, It will be critical for me to seek feedback to get an outsider’s perspective as I may have blindspots with the editor’s lenses.

Personal impact

(Picture Source)

From my perspective, this unit not only passes down the best spirits to the younger generations but also helps us see the bigger picture and overcome our challenges. At the same time, this project empowers me to move forward as I understand how small my “adversity” really is. In the process, I have developed my social awareness as I realize how different life can be on Earth from other places and times. Seeing and studying the individuals helped me to have more appreciation for my daily life. I never thought living a casual day in 2023 could be a privilege until I saw what happened to Victor Frankl in the concentration camps. Furthermore, this project has also taught me the importance of having a positive mindset. Seeing how the individuals I studied were able to overcome unthinkable challenges has profoundly impacted my attitude and the way I think. One day, they can tell all their unique life stories to the younger generations and how all the past adversity has become a nutrient and improved their lives. Most importantly, this unit forces me to redefine success and the purpose of life. I used to think that achievements and wealth ultimately determine success; however, I cannot say to any individuals I studied that they are unsuccessful. They may be more successful than the millionaires since they may not endure the pain and unfortunates they have been through.

Conclusion

After all, this unit, studying and learning from admirable individuals, had been an inspiring journey. It taught me that we can still succeed despite all the adversity. It taught me that we can construct our future regardless of conditions. It taught me that we can always find hope, even in the darkest times. It reshapes my perspective and inspires me to question the purpose of life. Even though the project officially ended last week, it has been a lifelong journey for me.

Thank you for your time 

Hope at Its Core

Posted on by under History, Literature

(Image Sources)

Why do some people suffer real hardships and not falter? How could hope last through the darkest times, like cancer attacks or concentration camps? Recently in this project, Stories of Hope, we are learning the concept of adversity, survivorship, resilience, hope and their relations with each other. In this post, I will answer the most fundamental questions of the entire project: what is a story of hope?

Key Terms — Oversimplified

Adversity

  • Difficulties and misfortune, often times greater and more severe, or even life threatening

Survival

  • State or fact continuing to live and exist, often after a life threatening adversity or trauma. Survival itself may or may not require resilience as luck plays a role as well.

Resilience:

  • Resilience is a reflex, a way of facing and understanding the world, that is deeply etched into a person’s mind and soul. Resilience can be seen through one’s interactions with the environment, especially under harsh conditions.

Hope

  • An optimistic feeling that the best has yet to come. It is an open sense of possibility and willingness to work things out while seeing / facing the reality.

Summarizing from Stories and Experiences

(Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist Dr Viktor Frankl (1905 – 1997) attends the 6th International Congress of Psychotherapy in London, UK, August 1964. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Reading through different stories, I found Victor Frankl’s life fascinating. Although he’s best known as a survivor of the concert camps, that couldn’t define his life or character. Coming out of the centers, he published “Man’s Search of Meaning,” which stunned the field of psychology and impacted plenty of people. His writings are evidence of his resilience at work, withstanding and overcoming such severe adversities and growing and benefiting from them. He suffered terrible losses from WWII, losing almost all family members and friends; however, it is without a doubt that the struggles and painful experiences forced him to grow and become a better person

Another example that comes to mind is Terry Fox, a Canadian athlete diagnosed with bone cancer at 18. Despite having his leg amputated, he continued to train and ultimately embarked on a cross-country run to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. His legacy lives on in the annual Terry Fox Run and his foundation, which has raised over $750 million for cancer research. His unwavering hope and determination in the face of adversity have inspired countless people worldwide, and his story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

(Image Source)

Conclusion

In both cases, it isn’t abnormal for someone to surrender to adversity and admit fate as a default result. It is, without a doubt, much easier to ignore hardships and difficulties than to face reality at its core. One with hope and resilience, on the other hand, embrace and face the pain up close for them to take action and bounce back (the word resilience initially came from the idea of bounce back)

So, what is a story of hope? Beyond luck and survivorship, a story of hope is resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. This narrative shows how individuals can overcome seemingly impossible challenges and emerge more robust and determined. These stories inspire us to hold onto hope even in the darkest times and remind us of the incredible power of the human spirit. They serve as a beacon of light in a world that often feels dark and overwhelming and give us the courage to keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles come our way.

 

A Bigger Picture 

As mentioned, this is only the start of our journey of learning and sharing the stories of hope. This keystone of the project, the first and perhaps most essential, laid the foundation and helped us define and clarify abstract ideas like hope and resilience. Before answering the driving question, what can we learn from hopeful stories? We must first understand what a hopeful story is, and that’s the purpose of Keystone 1.

Thank you for your time 

Macbeth, Madoff & Winter Exhibition

Posted on by under History, Literature

On December 15, the Winter Exhibition was held. We, the PLP 11 cohort, each directed and performed our modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth during the winter exhibition. Without a doubt, it was difficult and painful. This blog post today will be talking about my learning journey throughout this project and how it changed me personally.

Project Overview

Scene & Modern Adaptation

As we each took only one scene of the play, I was assigned Act 5 Scene 8, the last scene of Macbeth. Originally in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, audiences would witness the death of Macbeth and the end of his tyranny. Immediately, I brainstormed all the possible events and characters that may fit this scene; however, I was not decisive. While spending plenty of time deciding what topic to do, it turned out that all the ideas I had in mind were unsuitable for this project. Looking back, all my themes are at least 100 years away today, which may not be considered a modern adaptation. Eventually, I connected it to the 2008 Ponzi scheme, the largest Ponzi scheme in history. It was interesting how Bernie Madoff deceived almost everyone, even the SEC. Even though it wasn’t mandatory, I watched the movie “The Wizard of Lies”, hoping to understand him better. Although he was gifted, his intelligence benefited no one. Although he had great intentions, his actions took the hope of many; Although he could be another Rockefeller, he chose to be a lair. Nevertheless, we should learn from him so that past wrongs never repeat themselves. Studying Bernie Madoff, the main character of my play proved to be significant to the final product.

 

Final Product — A Play

 

Our final product of this project was a play to present live to the audience at the winter exhibition. Not only did we get one take only, but audiences were also sitting around the stage, putting even more pressure on us. I could not possibly get more overwhelmed. Despite having trouble understanding Shakespeare’s language, I struggled with pronunciation. I never felt ready for the exhibition. As time passed by, I panicked more and more. Because of how nervous I was, I messed up my introduction. But with the help of my friends, I eventually regained momentum. Looking back, what helped me the most in this project was the feedback I got from peers and teachers.

Here’s the video

(I want to thank Randy, Dries, Jordan, Keenan, Josh and Nathan for their kind support that made this play possible.)

Click here to learn more about the project

 

Answers to the Driving Question

What do the timeless themes “Macbeth” reveal about our society today?

Although the languages Shakespeare used were outdated, the concepts were not. Through literature, Shakespeare inspired countless philosophical debates and wonders. After 400 years, we still cannot have a definite answer to any of them. To put it in other words, humanity improved very slowly spiritually despite significant technological advancement. Specifically, in Macbeth, Shakespeare included timeless themes like the predetermination of fate, the existence of natural justice, the necessary violence for change, etc… One of my favourite themes in Macbeth is appearance vs reality. At the first glance, Macbeth and lady Macbeth are the tyrants, the villains. But I soon realized that they were not purely evil. On the other hand, Malcolm and Macduff seem like the heroes who ended the tyranny; however, we never know what terms and agreements they had with the British to gain their support. It took me a while to realize what Malcolm did could be considered treason, betraying your country.

One simple modern connection between the theme of appearance vs reality could be fake news. I encounter misinformation from time to time. Shamefully, often I cannot identify misinformation. The tendency to believe what you see or believe in, also known as confirmation bias, can be deceitful as they ignore reality. Honestly, I seldom question the source of information on websites I visit. Looking back, it is distressing how much fake news is out there on the internet.

(More About Fake News)

Reflection — Start, Stop & Continue

1. Start: What should I start doing?

Looking back, I lacked creativity throughout this unit. Although it would be easier to create a fictional story, my critical thinking often eliminate my creativity. I realized afterwards that all my ideas were based on historic events, and most were off the beaten track. I admire Randy’s final play as he creatively connected Shakespeare’s play with Kim Jung-un. While keeping the original language and message, he managed to keep the tone interesting and modern. Going forward, I will seek to learn from my peers and aim to develop my creativity.

 

2. Stop: What should I stop doing?

In general, procrastination was the cause of imperfections. As mentioned earlier, I procrastinated a significant amount of time on deciding themes and topics. At the same time, I was indecisive about selecting the props I needed. I thought tasks would be easier to handle with a longer timeframe; however, I was wrong. In brief, I relied on tomorrow rather than today. Considering the opportunity cost, I would’ve been more prepared if I never wasted my time. The time could be devoted to refining props, solidifying stage movements, rehearsing dialogues, etc…, which would help me perform better.

 

3. Continue: What should I keep doing?

If anything, curiosity was the largest motivating factor in this project. I was curious why Bernie Madoff committed such a terrible crime, even when he was both rich and famous. At the same time, curiosity drove me to learn about the philosophical debates around Macbeth. Furthermore, it enabled me to find the similarities between Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. Not only does curiosity push me to learn in-depth, but it also inspires me to study diverse subjects.

Change in Personality

Lastly, I would like to highlight the shift in my personality because of this project. What I enjoy the most about this unit is the moral and philosophical debates embedded in Macbeth. After studying Manhattan Project, I was interested in all the philosophical debates as they challenged me to understand that there may not be a perfect answer to all questions. As you can see below, there are twelve well-known debates around Macbeth.

As there are no correct answers, everyone holds their unique perspective. Looking back, my answers before and after this project are notably different. Specifically, let us focus on the debate “Ambition is a virtue” as it changed the most throughout this project. Before learning Macbeth, I agreed with that statement. When we were doing a debate in class, I was the one believing this statement to the fullest. I was falling off of the extreme. People may wonder: Was Hitler’s ambition still a virtue? At the time, I immediately said yes. I thought what caused the problem was never the ambition, but rather the perspectives, ideologies, and core values. But after this project, I wondered if the statement, ambition is a virtue, is true. Virtue should be the evidence that you may go to heaven; therefore, I no longer consider ambition as a virtue. With that said, I still believe ambition, the desire to achieve greatness, is still essential in life. Knowing how stubborn I was before, it is surprising how one project changed my core perspective entirely within two months.

Thank you for your time!

What’s Romeo and Juliet?

Posted on by under Literature, Philosophical

Shakespeare masterpiece Hamnet is one of Bill Gates’ favourites books. William Shakespeare had influenced our culture,  English literature, and, our beliefs and philosophy for more than 400 years. But after so many years, does Shakespeare still matter to the modern world?  Why does Bill Gates like Shakespeare so much? In this post, we will be talking about the relevance of Shakespeare and how he had impacted us. 

Answer to the driving question 

In this unit, our driving question was: “Why does Shakespeare relevant to a contemporary  audience?”.  In brief, Shakespeare’s main influences can be catergrorized into three parts: English literature, art and music and philosophy. 

English Literature 

Throughout his life, Shakespeare wrote over 150 sonnets, 37 plays and invented over 1700 words that we still use today. He wrote the finest poems by selecting the perfect words/phases to present his emotions.  At the same time, he was the first one to connect and compare different plays so he could write creatively. Not only was Shakespeare good at writing stories, but his themes and ideas also encourage many people to create new stories. According to Wikipedia and Guinness Books of World’s Records, there are 410 Shakespeare adaptions and around 1100 projects that credit Shakespeare’s writing.

Drama, Art and Music  

Many people consider Shakespeare the father of drama as his plays paved the way for drama productions and acting. In addition, he created new genres that have mixed tragedy and comedy. The brand-new genres were like a revolution in storytelling and theatre which enhanced its effect on audiences. Meanwhile, Shakespeare’s plays have also influenced music and art through emotional experiences (Siegel). At the same time, Shakespeare had many acts associated with music and arts, which directed contributed to the growth of art and music.

Philosophy 

Arguably, Shakespeare is a philosopher. Throughout his plays and sonnets, he brought up many questions that we don’t have easy answers to. His question involves justice, honour, free will, fate, love & hate, etc….  He managed to smoothly blend in his questions and doubts into his plays; his characters are often in a complex  situation where there are no perfect answers. By comparing ourselves with his characters, we would be searching for solutions that solve the problem. Although he never told us the answer nor did he has the answers, Shakespeare taught us to think differently and encourage us to think deeply. Through understanding Shakespeare, we will gain a more mature perspective and find the value/purpose of life. 

The language we speak today contains a lot of Shakespear’s effort; meanwhile, his philosophy is still constantly influencing our everyday life. Therefore, Shakespeare and his work are still relevant to us and modern society.

My learning journey 

This unit was the shortest yet the most challenging one I had in the first semester. In this unit, we investigated the five acts of Romeo and Juliet and its film adaptations; moreover, we created our adaptation of Romeo and Juliet to represent our understanding.

Theme book 

In this milestone, we analyzed and  investigated Shakespeare’s purposed message then connect critically with film adaptations. When I first read Romeo and Juliet, I had no idea what Shakespeare is talking about in his play; however, I manage to understand the meaning and the message with the help of my friends. Meanwhile, I also found it challenging to compare and connect film adaptations with the original script. The adaptations are diverse and different from the original script, which made similarities and differences not so appealing. Overall, I am proud of my work because I have grown and learned a lot through the challenges and difficulties. If I have to do this again, I would look for the professionals’ comments because their points of view are often valuable. I would also look for directors’ and writers’ intentions when creating the adaptions because it would give me a more complete understanding when I compare and connect it.

Video 

After we had a firm understanding of the five acts of Romeo and Juliet, we started to create our own video.  Creativity and originality were our two main focuses in this milestone; our main goal when creating this video was to demonstrate our understanding and apply it to modern society. Because the first semester was ending, we only had two to three classes to plan, film and edit the video. Surprisingly, everyone in my team worked well under pressure. We didn’t face any obstacles when we film the video; however, it took us a significant amount of time just to export and edit the video. Although we have done a great job, I don’t believe it is perfect. If we have to do this video again we would probably:

  • Organize our story flow
  • Adjust audio to the same volume 
  • Include more props and costumes
  • Record different point of views
  • Enhance our emotions when acting 

At the start of this unit, I thought Romeo and Juliet were non-sense and had nothing to do with us; however, my paradigms have shifted after studying it in detail. I can relate to the characters in Romeo & Juliet and appreciate the hard work Shakespeare put into his plays. Without Shakespeare, our ideology and philosophies should never be complete.

Reference

Shakespeare’s Words

Shakespeare FAQ

Shakespeare adaptions 

Shakespeare’s Influence in theatre 

Shakespeare’s Influence in Arts and Music

Thank you for your time

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