With that in mind, I continued on to the next one, "Accept responsibility for your own learning." I gave myself full credit for this one. I am a responsible person and I can learn anything I want to (WANT is the key, here). If I'm struggling with learning something, I know how to seek out people or resources to help. My crowning achievement for being responsible for my own learning was when I (the single mom) built my house 2 years ago. I became a General Contractor, and there was a LOT I needed to learn. I learned from my mistakes, bask in my new-found knowledge and I now sit here blogging in my beautiful home.
Number 3, "View problems as challenges" should be "View problems as learning experiences". I gave myself full credit for this one, too. In the big scheme of things, I think every challenge is designed to give me an opportunity to learn something new. Whether it be a task or the ability to see things differently, I have the desire to keep learning. No problem!
Number 4, "Have confidence in yourself as a competent learner." When I was younger, I wasn't as good at this one. I became frustrated and thought I wasn't smart enough to learn some things. Whew! I got over that obstacle! I have confidence in myself to learn and to learn effectively. At times I have moments when I don't feel I will be successful, that's when I know I need to re-evaluate what I'm doing and how to correct my misunderstandings. During these times I think I'm confused and then I realize I'm not. (Yes, I thought that was funny.) Full credit for confidence!
"Create your own learning toolbox." I gave myself 1/2 for this one; partially because I don't think I understand what that means. I'm sure I have strategies for learning, but I can't articulate these strategies and now I'm a little confused ... again.
"Use technology to your advantage." I have come a long way! I made it trough college and the first two years of teaching without a computer OR cell phone! The technology that I have at my disposal, I use all the time. Yes, it's much easier to keep track of everything from grades to photos to journals to bank accounts using technology. And this is my first BLOG! I'm feeling really good about this however, I could use much more I'm sure. (See Number 7 for extra-credit)
Number 7 "Teach / mentor others." Well, that's what I do. I am a teacher. Living in an elementary school for 17 years makes this habit a habit. Recently I gave my mom and dad a digital photo frame for Christmas. (Mom calls it the "changing picture thingy".) While talking to her on the phone, she wanted to know "how to make a picuture last longer" i.e. pause. I explained to her what the pause, play, stop, review and forward buttons symbols looked like and where to find them on her screen. (By the way, she was very offended that the words weren't on the buttons because she CAN read, for hell sake!) All in all, I though this was a great experience because I didn't have the photo frame or the manual! And mom figured out how to make her picture last longer; and skip the one of her that she doesn't like. (P.S. I told her there was absolutley NO WAY to delete pictures! He! He! See Number 7 1/2 for more extra credit?)
Number 7 1/2 "Play!" I think I should get extra credit for this one for sure! Playing isn't necessarily "play" as we think of it as children do. It's a feeling; the feeling of playing and the joy that fills you up!
So, on 7 1/2 Habits of Lifelong Learners Progress Report Card, "Begin with the End" and "Learning Toolbox" would Need Improvement. Overall, I think I am a Proficient Lifelong Learner!
