The habit that comes easiest to me out of the 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learning is habit #2: accept responsibility for your own learning. I have always been a fast learner, and my grades have always been exceptional. Growing up I always taught myself, never needed help with my homework. My parents were hardly home long enough for me to ask for assistance, and it didn't take long for my homework to get so complicated that they didn't know how to help. I feel the most accomplished when I do assignments on my own and can take full responsibility of the grade I receive afterwards.
The most difficult of the habits for me is #4: have confidence in yourself as a competent and effective learner. This is because no matter how smart I am, I know someone is smarter. I never feel like my best is good enough even if I get an A on an assignment. I always feel as if I can do better no matter the outcome. I always second guess my questions, thinking that I may have a stupid question so I just don't ask 99% of the time. I know people say there are no stupid questions, but really there is. Every classroom has that one person who asks a thousand questions that are meaningless, and I don't want that person to be me.
I want to gain a better knowledge of technology by using Web 2.0 tools. I am good with computers, but some people are masters of technology. I think this course will help me increase my technological skills. This blog was much easier to set up than what I expected. Blogs have always sounded complicated to me, but this was a piece of cake.
I also struggle with #4. I am not exactly a fast learner. If I have to learn something "fast" my brain tends to shut down. I like to go at my own pace, which is not always convenient in our society. I am glad you do not have that trouble, because it is very inconvenient. I know what you mean about asking stupid questions. I tend to save certain questions for after class, so I can speak privately with the teacher.
ReplyDeleteThe whole confidence thing ties in with asking questions. I just don't want to be embarrassed. Maybe the teacher already explained the question, but I just did not catch it. Then I would be setting back the entire class, so I just ask a friend next to me or the teacher after class.
DeleteI also lack confidence in myself as a learner. I hate feeling like a question might have already been covered and I just missed something. I do not want other people in class to roll their eyes and be frustrated because I asked a question that they already understand.
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