Randy Pausch was a Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died in July 2008. Although his life was short lived he left a lasting impression on all those that knew him and for those that did not. He is co-founder of Entertainment Technology Center at CMU. He started the Building Virtual Worlds there and is the founder of the Alice software project. Overall he was a wonderful man that wanted to help those around him and worked hard to achieve his goals.
On September 18th, 2007 Pausch gave his "Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams." He began his lecture discussing his childhood dreams and achieving them. Just as anyone is trying to do something they want to do brick walls can come up and stop their progress. Pausch lets us know that these brick walls are there for a reason. They allow one to prove how badly they want something and separates the people that do not want it as badly from them. If you really have a desire for something never let anything get in the way of you accomplishing your goal. It may seem like you may not see this dream come true but keep going because the brick wall is there to make you work harder. You will gain experience when you do not achieve what you hoped you would. Experience makes you a leader and allows you to lead people.
Another point that Pausch discussed is to enable the dreams of others. Help people around you and do not just focus on yourself. One should focus on others. People will be there to help you along the way. Allow them to give you feedback and listen to it. It will help you along the way if you receive it and it will allow you to help others reach their goals. When you are teaching students do not set limits for them. Push them harder and allow them to go further while encouraging them. They can succeed in accomplishing their goals without limits being set.
As a teacher or parent one can use "head fakes" to help their child live a better life by teaching them lessons. Pauch uses the term "head fake" to describe a lesson learned by someone while they really believe they are learning something else or having fun. This is the best way to help those around you achieve their goals because they will not be focused so much on the goal itself. One will actually be building their character and preparing them for the dream the entire time they are doing something different. As an educator Pausch says that one should do things differently. Do not be afraid to try something new that will help others out. Teach children to work in groups and they will become self reflective after being around others. Do not give up on anyone. Find the best in them no matter how much time it takes. Everyone has good in them.
Pausch tells us to show dedication. Do not give up when you feel you will not make it to your goals. "The best of gold is at the bottom of barrels of crap." Do not complain just continue working hard. One will achieve so much more when you can not see the end but you keep working towards the finish line anyway. While learning, pushing yourself, and pushing others remember to be good at something. Being good at something will make you valuable. Be prepared at all times because "luck is where preparation meets opportunity." He mentions to us to be loyal and earnest. We all should show our gratitude and allow people to help us. Teachers can learn from students and must remember to keep an open mind. When working with others respect authority while questioning it. The authority is their for you and to push you as you will push others.
Overall Paush wants us to lead our own lives. Although one can perceive many helpful facts from Pausch's lecture, the lecture itself is a "head fake". It really is for his children. It is to help them grow stronger and believe in themselves. I really did apply his tips to myself. As a future educator I will continue learning from those around me. I hope to make a difference in people's lives and to achieve all of my goals. Am I a Tigger or Eeyore? I am a Tigger. I will make the best of everything and enjoy my life.
(Sources for information obtained in this blog are Randy Pauch's Last Lecture and Wikipedia on Randy Pausch.)
Dominique, you had a ton of great information from this video that really shows you really took the time to watch this video. I know I was completely dreading it, but after watching it I thought that it was filled with great information on teaching your students. Great job on the blog post!
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ReplyDeleteGood for you! You added sources.
Well written.
Randy Pauch's Last Speech truly is an inspiration and a great guide in how to be a good educator.