Ambient

Ambient music is great for writing. When you listen to ambient music, you can let your mind be free and this can help your writing. I have been listening to ambient music for many years when I must write something. I can get lots of writing done! I think this is because the mind and ears can focus on something other than the task at hand, and this can allow the brain to do other things at the same time. For me, this is a method that really helps me write, and I think it can help other people too. I have played music in class many times, and I have seen how students react over time. They start out being slightly confused as to what to do, but then without knowing it they start to write more and more and really get in the mood to write. Before they realize they are already at several hundred words. I am thinking of doing some in class research regarding this point. I will take a survey in class as to how the students liked the music. Another idea I have is to check their words without music and then again with music to see the difference. I may also use this technique with tests to see if test scores improve while taking tests with ambient music. My hunch is that it does make a difference! Only in class research can tell for sure.

Back to Classes!

I didn't want to give this post a title related to the recent earthquake(s) because I think everyone who lives here has been through quite a lot. I hope everyone is safe and able to live. This semester in Writing class we will use the textbook, and possibly Manaba if everyone has computer access. If not, we will focus less on Manaba. The class will be quite flexible at any rate.

Interestingly, my last post was on tourism in Mt. Aso. I think that tourism will be quite affected, at least for some time after the earthquakes. I think my research may have to wait. The important thing, though, is to get things back to normal, especially in the quake stricken area of Minami Aso. My family has a small cottage in Uchinomaki and I took drive there last week to check the cottage. There was some damage on the base of the house, but it can be fixed. On the way back we drove through Minami Aso. I know it quite well as I used to teach at Tokai University and my office was near the earthquake zone. I was shocked at the amount of damage, especially at the loss of Aso Oohashi.

I don't want to keep talking about or bringing up the point of the earthquakes. It is finished, what happened, happened. It is important to remember but it is equally important to move one. Let's get back in action everyone!