OnCourse Affirmation

I was looking out the west-facing window at nothing in particular: gray rain skies moving quickly south to north, trees showing spring green over residential rooftops, and a construction crane looming over the Lambeau Field scoreboard. If there was a clock in the room, I would have been glancing at it. At times I miss a watch.

"Doug, you are a caring, creative, and enthusiastic man."

Did I really hear that, or was I just imagining things at the end of a long school year and three-day workshop? Sometimes the mind does wander during long seminars. I brought my focus back. I was one of half the group who was seated in chairs in an elongated semi-circle, our backs to the center of the circle. 

Move movement behind me; then, "Douglas, you are a reliable, efficient, and effective man."

About 45 staff members (support, advisors, and faculty) from the college were in the third day of a three-day workshop on student and personal success called OnCourse, created by academic visionary Skip Downing. The workshop's organization and focus repackaged proven classroom techniques in a fresh way to engage, inspire, and instruct. The workshop leader, Robyn, from OnCourse central, demonstrated the eight OnCourse principals in imaginative, interactive ways, such as the Affirmation Whisper. Two days ago we had written three personal affirmation for ourselves and, now, Robyn asked the class to anonymously whisper those affirmations to others who sat in the circle.

I could make out affirmations behind compatriots at my left and at my right. Words fell just below direct hearing, but occasionally ("funny," "helpful," "knowledgeable," "resilient") rose above the ambient music and the shuffling of people moving around behind us. Sound in the room rose and fell in random patterns like a gentle chant that twisted around then separated from the notes of the music. The exercise lasted for 45-seconds and then the seated and whisperers switched roles. Another 45-seconds and it was over. The exercise, though short, seemed cathartic. The repetitions of the whispers, the quiet movement of people behind, were a welcome and appreciated respite.

True, this exercise was hyper touchy-feely and way, way outside the usual comfort zone of a tech college instructor. And true, this exercise required a level of trust that might not be found in a casual classroom. A few of the ideas and some of exercises demonstrated during OnCourse were like that. But, most would work with our students. The ideas behind the OnCourse material were solid and persuasive. Most of the ideas would very definitely work with our students.