Weekly Task 6 - Making Mistakes

Weekly Task 6


1. How do you usually look at your mistakes?

　　I usually take my mistakes very seriously. To tell the truth, I want to be a perfectionist since I think finishing what I have to do and doing a good job are my responsibilities. Moreover, I usually feel a sense of achievement and relief after accomplishing my goals. However, there is a disadvantage of being perfect: I do not dare to try new things or what I am not good at because being afraid of making mistakes.

2. How do you define mistakes?

　　“We all make mistakes.” I think this saying is true at times, but it can be an excuse as well. As a student, it is not uncommon for me to make mistakes in my studies. Take an experience of Show-and-Tell for example. I made every effort to prepare, trying to feel comfortable on the platform since I believe “Practice makes perfect.”

　　Nevertheless, the audience found that I was nervous, lacking confidence. Actually, those comments are my drawbacks and also my mistakes. Therefore, my definition of mistakes is that I do something wrong and I do not try my best to avoid putting a foot wrong. Last but not least, a great attitude toward mistakes is that people should learn from mistakes and not be careless or absurd next time.

3. After listening to Prof. Pausch, do you still see mistakes in the same way?

　　Prof. Pausch’s speech is thought-provoking, which helps me see mistakes from another angle. A quotation from his speech is impressive: “Brick walls are there for a reason: they let us how badly we want things.” I usually feel depressed when failing to attain my objectives, but I never give up. In my opinion, if I cannot overcome difficulties, I will not have a chance to challenge myself and prove that I can succeed. To sum up, never give up whenever you encounter difficulties.

Running Race

Weekly Task 5 - Collaborative Learning

Weekly Task 5

1. Can you explain what this picture is showing about collaborative learning (or group learning)?
　　
　　This picture shows a complete process of group communication: a group should think deeply first, collect others’ deliberation; crystallize the outcome of group discussion, and make an assessment. I think a group of people can share their inner thoughts with others by effective communication. Also, people will omit irrelevant ideas or change their mind after group discussion.

2. What is your favorite part of this type of learning?
　　
　　“Learning through reflection” is my favorite part because I usually lack various ideas. Therefore, I will take others’ opinions for reference and come up with another idea by following this step.

3. What would be the part that usually bothers you when working with others?

　　“Generating multiple perspectives” is the most difficult part for me. The reason why I choose this part is that I often think about a topic in the first person. If I can do a good job on this part, it will help me see one thing in several different aspects.

4. Give an example from your personal experience and elaborate on it.

　　In the past few weeks, each group in our class was asked to write an essay and revise it twice. My learning buddy and I learned a lot from each other’s writing style and peer editing. I saw her work in the second person; thus, my perspective may differ from her notion. When I got confused about some sentences of my buddy’s composition, I tried to guess, and then ask her if my thoughts corresponded to hers. In the final part of our discussion, we pointed out the problems respectively and made a meaningful assessment as possible as we can. I am unsure that whether our process and the outcome of this communication are proper. Maybe our discussion will get better and better after accumulating abundant experiences of group talk. All in all, I consider it good to have a complete and deep talk with my buddy on this assignment.

Weekly Task 4 - Networked Students

Weekly Task 4

1. This is how American college students learn. Are you learning in a similar way?

　　Being networked students is a new idea of learning. As the importance and convenience of the Internet is stressed, many people advocate “E-learning.” Even some people predict that “E-books” will replace printed publications.

　　Websites provide abundant information which can broaden students’ horizons and help them connect the global village. From my point of view, the way American students learn is really cool. For instance, I am curious about the websites mentioned in the video, such as Google Scholar and Skype. I think it is time for me to search for useful online resources and take advantage of them. I am learning in a similar way as the way American College students learn. As a freshman, I find that many assignments have to be done and uploaded through “E-course system.” Furthermore, more and more teachers adopt the creative idea “E-learning”, so students have chances to learn from online resources. It is obvious that “Networked Students” will become the mainstream of education and learning.

2. What does it mean by “Networked Students”? Is it a good or a bad change, and why?

　“Networked Students” is an interesting new concept. Those students are good at making use of rich resources on the Internet. In addition, they can learn anytime and anywhere online instead of being limited by time and space.

　　I consider “Networked Students” a good change since the Internet makes it easier and faster to get information from all over the world. Moreover, discussing with international students is a chance to know the way they think and even their cultures.
Last but not least, people can benefit from the Internet; however, they should be careful not to be “Internet addicts.”

Weekly Task 3 - Britney Spears

Weekly Task 3 - Britney Spears

1. What do you think of her change?

　　Public figures are always under the spotlight; Britney Spears is no exception. During the last months, I have known countless negative news about Britney Spears. Thus, I once considered her a disreputable performer at that time due to her uncommon and improper behavior.

　　Surprisingly, Britney Spears turns over a new leaf soon. She confessed that she was lost in the past time, then overcoming great difficulties that she had encountered. It seems that she really repents and tries hard to leave a good impression on the multitude. In my opinion, she should be given a chance to change herself and come back on stage. After all, it is good to see that she conquers fear of loss.

2. What do you believe or not believe?

　　I believe that she was lost over the last few months, which was caused by numerous reasons. By the way, she lets me know that changing herself needs not only others’ assistance, but the help from herself as well.

3. What is your judgment based on?

　　In the beginning, I merely read what mentioned concerning Britney Spears on a newspaper. However, I set off to judge her from another angle due to her obvious change. I no longer view her as a dishonorable person. Furthermore, I expect to see her performance after she changes herself and hope that she will not repeat the same mistake.

4. Would you change your view if she were your best friend or family?
　
　　I am not quite sure. Perhaps, I will persuade her to do or not to do something and give a hand to her timely if she were my best friend or family.

Weekly Task 2

Weekly Task 2

　　"I ask you to eat health food and some supplements, but you don’t seem to bear my words in your mind!” My mother always stresses the importance of health, and reminds me to eat some particular things every day. In the beginning, I almost refuse or ignore what she said about eating something. At that time, I dislike being asked to do what I don’t have interests in. Therefore, I sometimes have a quarrel with my mother on this issue.

　　As I grow up, I try to calm down when hearing “I am doing this for YOU!” or “I meant well. You will understand when you grow up”. Then, I will rethink and voice my opinions or express my inner feelings with my parents in a proper way after hearing those words.

　　Now, I know what my parents say is out of their love and care. Nevertheless, due to the different generation gap, my parents and I often think in different angles. That’s why we have some quarrels at times. In my opinion, if parents and their offspring can discuss about controversial domestic issues in a peaceful way, they will listen to each other’s thoughts and finally come to a compromise.

Weekly Task 1

Weekly Task 1
　　
　　Yes, I have said, “I have my principles and a positive attitude toward my life”. I consider myself a self-disciplined person. In my opinion, people who do not have any value or principle will lead an aimless life. Therefore, I think one should find out some personal values as well as principles, and keep sticking to it.

　　I will think one who laughs at me for never skipping classes is ludicrous. From my point of view, students have an obligation to show up for every class. One reason is that this is a basic respect for teachers. The other reason is that this is a chance to learn being responsible.

　　The importance of critical thinking is stressed greatly nowadays. When I get information from people or mass media, I do not totally believe it. I sometimes do double check to make sure what I heard or saw is true when I have time. If my friend tells me that working as a part-time waiter in a fancy restaurant will get lots of money, I will seek others’ advice, take it for reference and finally make a decision.