Week 2, Thing 3

Lifelong Learning
I think that by being a teacher, you are by nature a lifelong learner. I learn things from my students constantly, even when it's inadvertent. Especially when it comes to technology - I probably wouldn't even know about half of the new stuff out there if I hadn't heard about it or been shown it by a student. Sure, it makes me feel really old sometimes when a 12 year old looks at me like I'm an idiot for not knowing something, but then when you show it to someone else you get to look like a tech wizard (which, while being about the furthest thing from the truth, isn't necessarily a bad thing for others to think...)

Anyway, totally off topic there. The habit I have the biggest problem with is definitely to view problems as challenges. When something challenging comes up, I want to deal with it and get it fixed RIGHT NOW. Savoring the learning experience it provides isn't something that fits nicely into my hectic little world, or with my personality, for that matter. I can ususally work stuff out for myself if I give it enough time and energy, but I tend to focus totally on the problem at hand to the exclusion of everything else. And stress myself out in the process. If my mom and my elementary school report cards are to be believed, I've been that way my whole life.

The rest of the habits come pretty naturally. Just looking at the massive list of bookmarks I've created indicates that I've got the whole "create a learning toolbox" thing down.