Fall/Winter 2016, Volume 21 #2
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Research BulletinResearch Research Bulletin Volume XXI Volume Autumn/Winter 2016 Volume XXI • Number 2 • Number 2 Research Institute for Waldorf Education Waldorf for Institute Research RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR WALDORF PUBLICATIONS at the RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR WALDORF EDUCATION 38 Main Street Chatham, NY 12037 EDUCATIONWaldorf Table of Contents From the Editor . 3 John Wulsin Challenges in Our Relationship to Technology . 5 Michaela Glöckler Silica: Substance of Earth, Substance of Light. 15 Michael Holdrege Technology and the Laws of Thought. .25 Gopi Krishna Vijaya The Digital Gesture. 41 Jason Yates Children, Technology, and Nature Awareness . .48 George K. Russell The Human Touch . 56 Lowell Monke Of Ants and Human Beings Technology and the Urgent Need for New Ideas to Protect Children, Our Communities, and the Future . 62 Patrice Maynard Seeing in Physics and Chemistry Grades School Science Training for Waldorf School Teachers. .68 Amalia Pretel-Gray Research Bulletin • Autumn/Winter 2016 • Volume 21 • #2 2 • Table of Contents Report from the Online Waldorf Library . 71 Marianne Alsop Report from Waldorf Publications . 72 Patrice Maynard Indices of Past Research Bulletins . 73 About the Research Institute for Waldorf Education. 78 Research Bulletin • Autumn/Winter 2016 • Volume 21 • #2 From the Editor John Wulsin aldorf high school teachers want their presentations based on their research in the students to meet, engage, understand the fields of computer programming and quantum Wtechnology of their times, in ways that enable physics. As a result of this weekend retreat, them to meet technology of the future healthily a range of articles has been gathered for the as well. On the other hand, we’re acutely aware, Research Bulletin, as well as for a collection of at the actual dawning of their increasingly essays prepared by Waldorf Publications on this individualized thinking, how crucial simply writing current “hot topic.” by hand in ninth and tenth grades can still be Dr. Michaela Glöckler, in our keynote article, in increasingly individualizing those burgeoning sets the stage for our explorations by both capacities for thinking. We have a graduate celebrating the fortunate timing of contemporary who was instrumental in managing the robot technology for humanity at large, and calling landing on Mars, one who is at the cutting edge for us to awaken to the crucial questions of of computer/human interface in various kinds appropriate timing for the effects of technology in of handicaps, physical and otherwise, one who relation to the healthy growth of each individual, already as a high school senior was hosting a especially in childhood. weekly radio program, advising businesses and Michael Holdrege, long-time Waldorf institutions about strategies for coping with high school science teacher, illuminates and hackers. Many Waldorf graduates excel at both elaborates many of the distinctive forms, computer programming and creating websites for capacities, and qualities of the most essential a whole range of needs, combining technical and element in our contemporary technology, silica. artistic capacities and the ability to recognize the Gopi Krishna Vijaya offers a first installment, essential nature of any particular enterprise. from a contemporary perspective, of historical Generally, it may be fair to say that contexts of streams of human thought leading Waldorf students, having not been formed by toward current technology. Jason Yates, both technological influences in their childhood, are computer technician and eurythmist, offers a free to inform the technologies they later work first installment of his endeavors to articulate the with, exercising flexible ways of thinking and with essential gesture of our digital world. the ability to sustain large, unifying imaginations. George Russell, emeritus professor of biology In their formative years, Waldorf students have at Adelphi University and former editor-in-chief not been programmed to operate like computers. of Orion magazine, has edited a collection of Therefore they are free to work in technology, articles in Children and Nature. Here he shares with it without being “of” it. reflections on children’s relationships to both In conjunction with its annual board meeting nature and technology. in April, the Research Institute held its third Lowell Monke, long-time teacher of computer weekend colloquium, this one jointly with the science to adolescents and Professor of Education Pedagogical Section Council on the theme of at Wittenberg University, shares grounded technology in education. During the course of perspectives on appropriate timing of technology two days, Arthur Zajonc and Jason Yates made education for growing youth. Research Bulletin • Autumn/Winter 2016 • Volume 21 • #2 4 • From the Editor Patrice Maynard, former class teacher keen, hawk-eyed proofreader/copy editor for and current director of Waldorf Publications, the Research Bulletin for many years, assuring a offers insights on technology from within the fine, professional level of clarity and correctness. experience of Waldorf schools. We are grateful for the devoted keenness of her In one of three reports, Amalia Pretel-Gray attentions to this journal’s work. shares her journey as a language-oriented class As a long-time Waldorf high school English teacher, experiencing gradual and even dramatic teacher, I certainly feel little authority to transformations catalyzed through training in legitimately introduce this particular issue, “Teaching Sensible Science.” Marianne Alsop, focusing primarily on technology. But as a career- of the Online Waldorf Library, reports on recent long “editor-in-the–trenches,” I feel fully the right Spanish and Mandarin translations, accessible to declare that I am deeply impressed with the of course throughout the world. Recent Early quality of perspectives of these articles; I feel it a Childhood additions range from Seeking privilege to host their offering to our readers. Sourdough to Seeking the Spirit. The first audio The Research Bulletin has received, in books have been added to the Library, including fact, such a wealth of fine articles exploring both assessment and physics. Patrice Maynard technology that we have decided to continue reports on recent Waldorf Publications, which to broaden and deepen our understanding with range from new research on Waldorf graduates further articles on technology in the spring issue. to Lakota stories from the classroom at the Pine May these articles, with their outstanding Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, from medical historical perspectives, their scientific, insights to extra help for children. mathematical, philosophical, and educational In the wake of Tertia Gale’s illness and savvy, and their deep understanding of human recent death, the board of the Research Bulletin nature, help us all neither to fear technology asked me to serve as temporary guest editor, to nor to be seduced by it, but rather to become relieve Elan of his duties for this issue. It turns increasingly able to use it to further fulfill our out that the Tertia many of us knew, with all humanity. her various rich dimensions, had also served as Authors who wish to have articles considered for publication in the Research Bulletin should submit them directly to the Editor at: [email protected]. Research Bulletin • Autumn/Winter 2016 • Volume 21 • #2 Challenges in Our Relationship to Technology Michaela Glöckler n several occasions, Rudolf Steiner made “peaceful” machines and cutting tools; it also has bold, prophetic predictions about what life global ties to the production of weapons, which Owould look like in the coming one to four years, bring death, to say nothing of the use of atomic also concerning technology.1 It is striking how energy for both peaceful and destructive ends. precisely he formulated these predictions and A responsible, environmentally conscious use how accurate they have been so far. Steiner of technology, therefore, presupposes a highly was able to read the signs of the time and could developed morality. therefore develop a prophetic vision. This article is devoted to the following questions: Technology setting us free – a second aspect 1. What perspectives open up when we consider If modern technology carries within it a kernel the development of technology? of death, which is intrinsic to it, was this why 2. What would an adequate way to deal with modern technology made its appearance? technology look like? Surely modern technology did not appear in 3. What can we do in order to influence cultural order to show people the dramatic spectacle development and steer it in a positive of the machine and industry. There was a direction? fundamentally different reason why modern 4. What consequences will information technology appeared in the course of time. technology have for the healthy development And yes, technology appeared exactly of children and adolescents? because it does have this death-bringing character. Human beings need to develop the 1. Rudolf Steiner on technological consciousness soul, and they can do so only progress within a dead, mechanical culture, because Technology bringing death – one aspect it provides the resistance necessary to bring Rudolf Steiner spoke enthusiastically out of that development about. […] Detached his spiritual-scientific research about the being consciousness and the force which brings of technology.2 Contemporaries report how he death are closely related.4 once rode in his car through the Ruhr region, then the largest industrial area of Germany, and Death processes give us the possibility to said, looking out of the window, “All dead.” For free ourselves from the material world and him this was a simple statement of fact, not thereby detach ourselves from our ties to matter. a lament. In his lectures he explained further However, on this gradual path to freedom, the how technology would bring death for the earth following questions arise: because it uses up our energy reserves and brings in its wake both destruction and profound What should we do with our freedom, and what upheaval.3 Not only is technology dead in itself; can we do? it also has the effect of bringing death.