After hearing the 7.5 habits, I would have to say that the one that is probably the most difficult for me is to view problems as challenges (#3). I tend to have a low tolerance for frustration, and the more frustrated I get, the stupider I tend to get. This, of course, is not good in most situations, but is particularly not a good trait when trying to learn new technology! So I am going to try to work on this. I did manage to learn Prezi, even if I still get frustrated a bit with it from time to time, so I know I can get through the learning curve for new technologies if sufficiently motivated. For some of them, I think I will be; for others, not so much.
As for the one that I find easiest, I guess I would say accepting responsibility for my learning (#2) (although perhaps blaming technology when I get frustrated is not a good example of that!). I like to learn new things of various kinds, whether it is learning about other societies and cultures (through both travel and reading) or learning new technologies to use in my teaching and research. I think that anyone who goes through the years of school required to get a Ph.D. is pretty much someone who accepts responsibility for learning.
Actually, in terms of hardest things, I would say that this blog will probably be one of the most difficult things for me to do. Not just the technology (with which I've already encountered frustrations, such as where do you find the "settings-basic" tab to change the privacy/permissions??), but with the very concept of blogging. I have never been one to keep a journal or diary. I do keep a travel journal on trips, but it isn't very reflective. So this kind of sharing will be rather difficult for me. But hey, I guess I have accomplished the first step anyway.
Hi, Ellen:
ReplyDeleteThanks for biting the "blog bullet"! I think I am in sync with the blog reflection challenge. I would normally never take the step to reflect about my learnings on a blog that I myself hosted...although I have SO appreciated lurking (and interacting) when others do the same thing. Although I DO reflect with others who have common interests...but too often via (insular) email.
Perhaps an easier step (or maybe a step that fits better) is lurking and then posting to others' blogs...it's just that we are hoping that the individual blogs will provide a segue for folks to interact with each other on common things.
I think that your work on Prezi...not only experimenting with it...but teaching others how to use it is a clear indication that you are grappling with the new tools in ways that make sense in your teaching. It truly is not about the number of tools, but the "good fit" of tools with one's pedagogy. (Though I know there are tons of folks out there who are just into dabbling with "all" of them!)
Thanks for your initial blog post, and for joining the project!
~kg