7 1/2 Habits of Lifelong Learners

 Source: http://inst5030.wikispaces.com/Week+1    Week 2, Thing 3 Learning 2.0

Habit 1: "Begin With The End In Mind"

 This is a borderline strength /weakness for me in the sense that I am a list maker and taker, so I pretty much know what I want the end result to be, but the problem is organizing all the stuff in the middle.  I tend to be somewhat indecisive, so I start out strong knowing where I want to go (hence "begin with the end in mind") but I often make a million decisions before I actually get there, but I am going in the general direction that I want.  When I prepare lessons it often takes me awhile because I sweat all the details when I really should just keep it simple and direct.

Habit 2: "Accept Responsibility For Your Own Learning"

I can say that this is something I definitely have applied in my life. Learning is a choice that anyone can make. When you learn, how much you learn and what you do with what you learn is also a deliberate individual choice, and I believe ultimately shapes your character.  I'm still working on my character :).

Habit 3: "View Problems as Challenges"

I think I've always viewed "challenges as problems" that I would rather avoid. However, I'm also borderline on this as far as a strength or weakness because it really does depend on what kind of problem it is and what resources are available at the time to help overcome the "challenge".  I guess I invoke my right to be selective even though I know that sometimes we can't be.

Habit 4: "Have Confidence In Yourself As A Competent, Effective Learner"

This is one of my weaknesses, yet I am a big supporter of encouraging those I teach that they have the ability to empower themselves through knowledge.  I think I am such a big supporter of this idea because I know what it is like to lack in that kind of confidence (which by the way was shaped by my years of undergraduate studies)

Habit 5: "Create Your Own Learning Toolbox"

I'm not sure what a Learning Toolbox is because there was no further explanation in the slide presentation, but I'm guessing this is a personal set of skills, expectations or procedures one has to enable them to be successful at learning.  If I am wrong, then oh well.  I don't think I personally have my own learning toolbox, so this would not be a strength for me.

Habit 6: "Use Technology To Your Advantage"

I think I do make use of technology to my advantage.  I cannot afford all technology on the market today, nor do I need all of it, but I consider myself  generally "in the know" as far as using technology daily.

Habit 7: "Teach and Mentor Others"

This is something I do a lot because I am the perpetual volunteer and there is nothing more satisfying than mentoring someone because you want to and not because of a paycheck. Teaching and Mentoring can take place anywhere, in any subject or topic.  As a parent I do it in my own home as well, so the sky is the limit if you care enough.

Habit 7 1/2: "Play!"

I don't think this is a strength though I can't say I never play. Sometimes it just takes so much effort to play, and sometimes it really has to be spontaneous and flexible. It's sad that at times I've had to "schedule" it on my "to do" list.