Thing #1 - Lifelong learning and learning 2.0

Introduction
Congratulations! You are at the beginning of a self-guided learning journey. As educators, lifelong learning is one of those core values that we use to guide what we do each day. Even so, it will require a bit of dedication and determination to keep moving through this course, past hiccups and technical glitches, past the overwhelming feeling of what will be, for many of us, learning about completely new tools and concepts, past the competing pressures of incredibly busy lives and schedules.

As you begin to work through the course. you will notice a pattern in each "Thing" (activity/topic) -- Introduction, Discovery Exercise, Learning Activity. To complete (and get credit for) each "Thing," you must work through all parts of the Discovery Exercise AND complete all required parts of the Task, typically reflecting on your experience in a blog post (you will set up your blog in Thing 3).

It is helpful to read through each entire "Thing" before completing the Discovery Exercises and Learning Activities, so that you know where you are headed. Along the way, you will be offered an occasional "Stretch" task. These are not required, but will help you to further explore -- everyone should try at least some of them, especially if you are already familiar with a particular tool or concept.

Ready to get started? Now is a great time to reflect on your stance as a lifelong learner.

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Discovery Exercise:

To complete this exercise, you will need a headset or computer speakers (make sure they are plugged in and turned on). View the online tutorial 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners to hear about some helpful lifelong learning strategies.

(NOTE: During "Thing 3", you will complete your first blog post reflecting on the 7 1/2 Habits, so you may wish to take a few notes).

As you review the 7 1/2 Habits of Effective Lifelong Learners, consider three things:

1. Which habit(s) may be most challenging for you to employ as part of your Learning 2.0 - 23 Things experience?
   
   
2. Which habit(s) will be easiest, or is most resonent for you as a lifelong learner?
   
   
3. Which habit do you think will be most important for you as you work through this course, and why?
   
   

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Learning Activity:

In the top right corner of the tutorial, there is a link for "attachments." Click the link and download the learning contract.

If you have trouble downloading the contract from the tutorial site, you can also get it here.

Fill out the contract and send a copy to misd23things@gmail.com.