Web Exercises

Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.

1. Compassionate Image:  A Guided Visualization Process:  http://www.mindfulteachers.org/2015/06/compassionate-image-guided.html

Visit the above website and complete the activity.  When you are finished, answer the below questions.

  1. Did this exercise make you feel more compassionate towards yourself and others?  Why or why not?
  2. Reflecting upon this exercise and the material in chapter seven, why do you think that compassion is a necessary building block for friendship?

2. There is no such thing as a Truly Selfless Act:  http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160718-there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-truly-selfless-act

Read the brief article at the link above, and then answer the following questions.

  1. Summarize the article’s argument that there is no such thing as unselfish altruism.
  2. Do you agree or disagree with the article’s argument and why?
  3. Altruism is a building block for friendship.  Ergo, are all friendships built upon self-interest and satisfaction?  Explain your answer.

3. Teens, Technology, and Friendships:  http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/08/06/teens-technology-and-friendships/

Read the Pew Report in it’s entirety at the link above.  Compare and contrast the information in this report with the material in chapter seven by drawing a Venn diagram.  Be sure to be specific with your examples.

4. Pinterest Board

I use this assignment in all of my classes.  First, create a Pinterest account if you do not already have one.  Create a “class board” for each class in which you will be doing this assignment.  The board must be made public.  Then, using your roster, invite your students to be collaborators for the class board.  Ask the students to “pin” an item or more (video, website, article, visual graphic, etc.) related to chapter one (no repeat pins).  Then, have them comment on a few of their peers’ pins, relating the pin to the chapter’s material.  If you want to see how successful this assignment can be, check out my class boards:  https://www.pinterest.com/professorgrayso/

By viewing the pins and comments, you will be able to see how the students understood the course material.  However, you could have them discuss the pins on a discussion board or write a journal about what they learned by viewing the pins and how the pins related to course material.