Thing+1

Introduction: Strategies of Lifelong Learners

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 * [[image:http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1017/1351126793_3f321e4fea.jpg width="450" height="299" caption="Can't Even Put It Down to Brush His Teeth (by karynsig)" link="http://www.flickr.com/photos/karynsig/1351126793/"]]
 * Congratulations!** You are at the beginning of a self-guided learning journey.
 * Congratulations!** You are at the beginning of a self-guided learning journey.

As teachers, we are keenly aware that learning never stops. Even so, it will require a bit of **dedication and determination** to keep moving through this course, past **hiccups and technical glitches**, past the **overwhelm** of what will be, for many of us, learning about completely **new tools and concepts**, past the competing **pressures** of incredibly busy lives and schedules.

As you begin to work through the course, you will notice a pattern in each "Thing" --

Introduction, Discovery Exercise, Task

To complete each "Thing," you must work through all parts of the Discovery Exercise AND complete all parts of the Task, typically reflecting on your experience in a blog post (you will set up your blog in October).

It is helpful to read through each entire "Thing" before completing the **Discovery Exercises** and **Tasks**, so that you know where you are headed. Along the way, you will be offered an occasional "**Stretch**" task. These are not required, but will help you to further explore -- everyone should try at least some of them, especially if you are already familiar with a particular tool or concept.
 * Ready to get started?** Now is a great time to reflect on your stance as a lifelong learner.

**Discovery Exercise: You as a Lifelong Learner**
View the Voicethread presentation below - **71/2 Habits...(**by clicking on the play arrow) to hear about some helpful lifelong learning strategies. You will be asked to reflect on the **7 1/2 Habits Of Highly Effective Lifelong Learners** in your blog in October, so you may wish to take a few notes.

SIDEBAR:

Voicethread is an amazing tool with almost limitless possibility for classroom application. Upload images or video and users can make text, audio and video comments, and even draw on the images while commenting. [|Learn more here]. Want examples? Look [|here], here and [|here].)

As you review the //7 1/2 Habits of Highly Effective Lifelong Learners//, consider three things: > **Example:** Even though you are a master teacher, you cringe at the thought of teaching others how to use technology tools. (Habit 7) > **Example:** You always begin with a goal in mind when learning about new technologies. (Habit 1) > **Example:** Viewing problems as challenges will be most important, because you often find technology problems frustrating and defeating (Habit 4)
 * 1) Which habit(s) may be __most challenging for you__ to employ as part of your **K12Learning2.0** experience?
 * 1) Which habit(s) will be __easiest, or is most resonant for you__ as a lifelong learner?
 * 1) Which habit do you think will be __most important for you__ as you work through this course, and why?

7 1/2 Habits of Highly Effective Lifelong Learners
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 * ⌘ TIP:**

To increase listening volume, place your cursor over the microphone icon on the bottom right of your screen (to the left of the red shield ) and LEFT CLICK on the microphone - a volume adjustment box will pop up in no time. If you see a check in the mute box, be sure to uncheck. Mute means what it says!



**Task**
After viewing the presentation, **write __ONE__ reflective/explanatory __comment__ on the habit you feel will be most important** for you in completing this course. We will share these reflections when we come together on September 24th.