I am confident in my ability to be a lifelong learner for two important reasons. First and foremost, it is in my nature to always question and explore the world around me. If I don't understand something I look it up, or if something interests me I frequently find myself performing a google search to learn more about it. And second, just the mere fact that I am becoming teacher will undoubtedly give me the tools/environment to foster lifelong learning. As a teacher each and everyday we enter the classroom we will learn new things about our students and ways to become better at our craft.
However, being a teacher means one must not only be willing but passionate in continuing to learn. As the world, and subsequently our children change the way they learn, we must be able to adapt and change our instructional styles as well. I believe Habit 1 "Begin with the end in mind" is one that I have mastered. I am extremely goal oriented and focused on the future and the steps needed to take me there. I sometimes find myself stressed out and overwhelmed over events that have yet to happen because I am always looking forward.
Never has there been a point in my life that I have been completely content with my achievements and thought there was nothing I needed to do/improve upon. However with that being said, although I have confidence in my ability to be a lifelong learner I do not always have confidence in my ability to learn and understand things. Therefore, out of the 7 1/2 lifelong learning habits, I struggle the most with Habit 4 "Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner"
The best way I can describe it is that I sometimes struggle with low self efficacy; I don't believe in myself as much as I should. If a teacher/professor describes a task as being difficult I immediately question my ability to adequately perform it. My lack of confidence is oftentimes why I choose the "safe" route or do not select challenging tasks.
Although I never had my own personal blog my "Teaching of Writing" class in undegrad required us to have one. We too used blogspot so I was familiar with the process of setting it up. I enjoy writing, which is probably readily apparent from the length of this first blog, so I was excited to learn that posting on a blog would account for a substantial portion of our grade.
I hope to learn anything and everything about Web 2.0 tools since students are only becoming more tech savvy and I wish to be able to foster a learning environment where I can utilize their interest in being on computers and surfing the web.
By choosing the teaching vocation, you place yourself in an environment where student's questions will invoke more extensive learning quests for you. The great thing about teaching-- even when you have confined yourself to one subject area-- is that there is no saturation point, you will never grow bored.
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