#4 of 23 things
Registering your blog ... it sounds so easy. And it is. The instructions were clear and the actual operation simple. Everything would have gone without a hitch were it not for the annoying (and increasingly prevalent) "low virtual memory" warnings my computer seems determined to flash at me at least once a day. Usually, such messages are little more than a momentary inconvenience. This time, however, my computer slowed to a crawl and for a moment or two I thought it might have completely locked up. Fortunately, it eventually remembered what it was supposed to be doing and things returned to what passes for normal. The registration site even said my information had gone through. I hope it was telling the truth. It would be ironic to get hung up on a tech issue (especially one over which I have no control) during a tech training course.
The rest of the Learning 2.0 program looks like it will be interesting. I've already heard of many of the upcoming topics, but there are few with which I have more than passing familiarity. I'm probably most interested in online video, as I do some video editing/converting/etc. on my own time. I've also spent some time surfing YouTube and similar sites in the past, and the idea of doing it as training (and getting paid to boot) has a peculiar charm.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
#3 - Create a blog and post about which of the 7 and 1/2 lifelong learning habits are easiest and hardest for you
#3 of the 23 things
I had to spend a little time really thinking about the 7 1/2 habits of "highly successful lifelong learners" before I felt ready to name which I felt were easiest and hardest for me. I'm still not completely happy with my conclusions, especially since it seems to me that more than one often applies depending on the exact circumstances. In the end, I more or less picked those I felt fit the majority of the time.
Easiest: #2 - Accept responsibility for your own learning.
Whether I'm trying a new recipe, deciphering kanji, or converting my brother's Tesla coil demonstration video from QuickTime to DVD-compliant MPEG2, it seems that I am always learning something new or building on previous knowledge. When I want or need to know something specific, I'm seldom, if ever, content to drift along waiting for the right answer or piece of information to chance my way. Instead, I go hunting - and I usually find what I want.
Hardest: #7 - Teach/mentor others.
While I HAVE taught/mentored others, it's never been easy for me. When I'm used to doing something and do it often, I rarely spend much time actually thinking about how or why I do it. This can throw quite a monkey wrench into things when it comes to explaining it anyone else. I sometimes get impatient - with myself for being impatient, if nothing else - over the slow pace required to explain, and do, something step-by-step. I also tend to lack confidence in myself as a teacher. I’m usually worried that I will forget to tell or explain something important, that my instructions will be confusing, or that I’ll just get frustrated and blow it. I have been told, by people I’ve instructed, that I’m a good teacher, but I rarely, if ever, feel that way.
I had to spend a little time really thinking about the 7 1/2 habits of "highly successful lifelong learners" before I felt ready to name which I felt were easiest and hardest for me. I'm still not completely happy with my conclusions, especially since it seems to me that more than one often applies depending on the exact circumstances. In the end, I more or less picked those I felt fit the majority of the time.
Easiest: #2 - Accept responsibility for your own learning.
Whether I'm trying a new recipe, deciphering kanji, or converting my brother's Tesla coil demonstration video from QuickTime to DVD-compliant MPEG2, it seems that I am always learning something new or building on previous knowledge. When I want or need to know something specific, I'm seldom, if ever, content to drift along waiting for the right answer or piece of information to chance my way. Instead, I go hunting - and I usually find what I want.
Hardest: #7 - Teach/mentor others.
While I HAVE taught/mentored others, it's never been easy for me. When I'm used to doing something and do it often, I rarely spend much time actually thinking about how or why I do it. This can throw quite a monkey wrench into things when it comes to explaining it anyone else. I sometimes get impatient - with myself for being impatient, if nothing else - over the slow pace required to explain, and do, something step-by-step. I also tend to lack confidence in myself as a teacher. I’m usually worried that I will forget to tell or explain something important, that my instructions will be confusing, or that I’ll just get frustrated and blow it. I have been told, by people I’ve instructed, that I’m a good teacher, but I rarely, if ever, feel that way.
What's in a name?
First off, I hate hate HATE having to pick names on the fly. I do not, under normal circumstances, consider myself to be an uncreative person. But whatever creativity I possess seems to flee in panic when I am confronted with the task of choosing a screenname or title. This blog was no exception, and was, in fact, even worse than usual because my first several choices were unavailable.
Fortunately, my display name was a bit easier to come by. I considered using something Greek, most likely the name of a favorite mythological goddess, but eventually decided on Hazuki. As Greek mythology is very far from my only interest, I felt Hazuki to be more inclusive of some of my other hobbies.
Finally, I was rescued from having a nameless blog by the remembrance of one of my all time favorite quotations: "Wit is educated insolence."
It is my opinion that Aristotle knew what he was talking about, and I hope I'll be able to live up to any standards implied by the use of the phrase by being, if not witty, then at least entertaining.
Fortunately, my display name was a bit easier to come by. I considered using something Greek, most likely the name of a favorite mythological goddess, but eventually decided on Hazuki. As Greek mythology is very far from my only interest, I felt Hazuki to be more inclusive of some of my other hobbies.
Finally, I was rescued from having a nameless blog by the remembrance of one of my all time favorite quotations: "Wit is educated insolence."
It is my opinion that Aristotle knew what he was talking about, and I hope I'll be able to live up to any standards implied by the use of the phrase by being, if not witty, then at least entertaining.
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