Thing #2

See kids! Learning never stops. While you guys were dipping in pools and sleeping in late, I was learning more about technology to make learning fun.

Lifelong learners use the following 7 1/2 habits to keep their brains active, even when they are not in school:
1. Begin with the end in mind.
2. Accept responsibility for your own learning.
3. View problems as challenges.
4. Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner.
5. Create your own learning toolbox.
6. Use technology to your advantage.
7. Teach/mentor others.
7 1/2. Play!

For me, the easiest of these habits is to accept responsibility for my own learning. It doesn't matter what I want to learn, I seek out ways to find out how. When I wanted to learn salsa dancing, I took lessons. When I wanted to learn spanish, I took classes. When I wanted to learn more about technology use in the classroom, I signed up for this online exploration program. And my favorite part is taking it one step further and challenging myself to use what I have learned!

The hardest of these habits for me is to view the problems that I encounter as challenges. Sometimes the problems seem like they are too big to overcome, but I have to take a deep breath and be my own cheerleader to push forward. And you know what??? It feels really good when I succeed despite the challenges.

I am more than a conqueror!