The thing is, sometimes it’s not worth our time to actually put more effort on a course than we actually do. This is something I wanted to stress in the class when I saw Michael Wesch’s TED talk. We have a finite time, 24 hours each day and we need to rationally allocate time to every activity. If you place more emphasis on your research projects than your courses, then you should not think that there is something wrong going on with you, it means it is the rational thing to do: your research will add more value to your career than getting an A in your classes.

This is something Mr. Wesch, whose talks I find very interesting, should also take into account. There might actually be a rational decision making when a student chooses not to do his best during a class. It does not mean than the teacher has necessarily failed. A student might rationally decide that allocating 50% of his total focus/ability/whatever is the optimal action.

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Expectation management is a thing managers use when they deal with people in business. I don’t have the knowledge to verify whether you get more if you expect more, but it does sound reasonable. However, it might also backfire. If you expect too much, some people might give up. I think it comes to what Ser (hah) Robinson is saying that, each student is different and they would react differently.

You got me at Kellyanne Conway, Henry! And I totally agree with you. With the proliferation of information in mass media – “alternative” or otherwise – the students of today are beset with a lot more information that needs a lot of discernment. You are right; we all need to think and process information critically, and it is a skill that we should definitely develop in our students. Now more than ever. Great post!

I really enjoyed how you connected mindful learning with growing up (through society, the environment and even parents as first educators in their child’s life). And I do agree that mindful learning and thinking should be developed at the beginning (in extreme cases unfortunately some children may not have parents that give that) but I do agree that mindful learning is a process that builds as one grows. Thank you for sharing this brings new light into my thought process of mindful learning!

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I can definitely relate to the student habits that you have pointed out. Rushing through assignments or just getting stuff done instead of absorbing the material (I am definitely guilty of that). But it is difficult to focus on your research and balance course work all at the same time so don’t be so hard on yourself. You also mentioned that how the article helped you reflect on how you learn as a student and how being a mindful learner can help you be a better professor and help you incorporate and teach mindful learning to your students. That is such a great break down and linear concept! Thank you for sharing such personal thoughts I hope to do this as well after I have read the article and your blog post I feel more encouraged!

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I found your blog post to be very interesting. I always like hearing about the education practices in other countries. I realize I would be in a lot of trouble if I tried to attend school in Ghana. What kind of instructor do you think you will be like when you have a classroom? Do you think that you will maintain the system of conceptualization or revert back to memorization?

I believe we had the same first reactions to this week’s reading without reading it yet, “anti-teaching what?”. I found the article very interesting as well, you mentioned that teaching should be looked at as “an act of facilitating learning” instead of talking at or lecturing at students I completely agree. It clicked for me when Wesch or maybe Dr. Nelson mentioned the phrase “School isn’t for everyone” now lets replace the ‘school’ word with ‘learning’ it is like saying learning isn’t for everyone. I used to say “school isn’t for everyone” all the time until next week, it is not that learning is not for everyone it is the way in which ‘school’ brings forth the content. Sorry to go off on a rant but long story short I agree with you. Thanks for sharing!

That’s a really cool story! Thank you so much for sharing!! How do you see yourself incorporating the arts or other student strengths into your classroom? I would be interested to know how you have or plan to support students who learn differently in your own classroom.

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Thanks for summarizing the 5 different psychological states. Which one would you think is the most important in mindful learning? I personally believe that students lack the openness to novelty, and it is our role as instructors to help them achieve that through the activities assigned both in and out of class.