Thing 1: Discovering Exercise (7 and 1/2 Habits)

Learning is a life long journey from which we choose the path that fits best for us. All of us come from different learning environments and learning styles.  For a teacher, it can be difficult to weigh out the best teaching style for your students, nonetheless, each year classroom dynamics and learning styles change. One can agree that everyone learns differently, and the study of Bloom's Taxonomy points out three very affective learning types.  The three Domains are: Cognitive/Knowledge, Affective, and Psychomotor/Skills. This is a process in which we build on data to make it stick.  

However, we must remember that every scholar learns differently, so that these three domains may be embedded into our brains differently. There are kinesthetic learners, auditory learners, visual learners, and hands-on learners.  Some people learn simply by socializing with others, going to class, or reading.  Nevertheless, learning is a journey in which we embrace at a very young age.  We teach ourselves how to retain information and what learning style works best for us.  

In the power point "7 and 1/2 Habits," designed by: Helene Blowers, she discusses what learning is and how to nurture our learning process.  After watching the presentation, I found that some of these habits are more difficult for me then others.  For instance, Number 1 discussed keeping your mind set on the goal.  If I have my eye on the prize, I have an easier time accomplishing a task, versus knowing it is impossible for me to achieve. However, looking back at something that I believed to be impossible and accomplishing it, that is such an honor. I liked learning habit Number 3, view problems as challenges.  When I am confronted with a problem, it makes me want to work harder.  I hate to give up and I feel that dead ends/challenges, make you a bigger and better person.  It has definitely made me stronger person!  

Number 2- Accept responsibility for your own learning is something that everyone must do.  Although we sit in class and listen to lectures for school, or read material provided for us from our professors, it is our responsibility to retain the information and pursue our learning to a deeper level.  One last habit that I would like to talk about is Learning Habit 7 1/2.  Play! If children are deprived of play, they cannot, and will not learn! I believe play provides an environment that fosters learning by doing as Maria Montessori may have put it.  I watch my own son learn by experimenting with play.  

These 7 and 1/2 Habits would be very useful to have in a classroom. Not all seven were covered, but they are the backbone to a surviving classroom dynamic. Students could sign a contract at the beginning of the school year discussing their individualized goals, obstacles, resources, etc...  Once the school year comes to an end, it would be entertaining for them to re-read their goals and see how much they have changed if not any.