Windows, Mirrors, and Gray Matters

Facilitated by

Kari Frisch
Central Lakes College
2019 Board of Trustees Awards for Excellence Educator of the Year

Windows, Mirrors, & Gray Matters

In a world that seems increasingly polarized with “us vs. them” mentality and “all-or-nothing” thinking, it’s time to see beyond the black and white, and look into the various shades of gray. What once started as a curriculum tool to analyze children’s books in elementary classrooms, the Windows & Mirrors theory can now be expanded to teaching and learning concepts across all types of educational levels and contexts.

Come learn how to use this engaging framework across various disciplines to not only develop deeper connections to the concepts being taught, but by better understanding the “gray matters” how we can also build deeper connections to each other as well.

In this session (with reflective breaks built-in) you’ll not only be introduced to the theory’s history and foundational components, but you’ll be given ample opportunities to participate in interactive application examples where you’ll be challenged to apply the concepts yourself for a personalized learning experience. You’ll also witness the scaffolding power this framework has to foster deeper connections which can contribute to building a more empathetic learning community.

Finally, there will be time to creatively develop some new ideas for how to apply the theory in your own specific job. Whether you are an instructor, or someone who works in education outside of the classroom, you’re sure to discover ways to make the “gray matters” matter in what you do.

Learning Outcomes:

• Deconstruct Emily Style’s educational theory of Windows & Mirrors and identify its foundational components
• Participate in the interactive application of Windows & Mirrors Examples and discover its power to build community
• Compare and contrast expansions of the metaphor such as the “revolving/sliding glass door” and “Gray Matters”
• Discover how like the brain’s gray matter, our philosophical “Gray Matters” helps with memory, emotions, and “movement”
• Synthesize the concept of “Gray Matters” with Windows & Mirrors into the teaching & learning philosophy
• Creatively construct and share in Windows, Mirrors, & Gray Matters assignment ideas for various educational classrooms and contexts (programs, departments, workspaces, extra curriculars, etc.)

Accommodations

The NED is committed to providing universal access to all of our events, we’d like to discover how we can make the event more inclusive so you can fully participate!

Machine generated captions are available in real-time for all Zoom events, however human generated CART (live caption) service and ASL interpretation can be requested with advanced notice (2 weeks) to make the event more accessible.

Please, let us know of any disability-related accommodations that will facilitate your full participation.

Questions?

Contact the Network for Educational Development.

Registration Required

Use the RSVP tool below to register. In addition to Minnesota State faculty and staff, Concurrent Enrollment instructors are also welcome to join.

After registering, a calendar invite with details on how to join will be sent to you, please add this event to your calendar.