Blog Post # 8

What Can We Learn About Teaching and Learning From Randy Pausch?

In watching the video, Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, I learned many powerful quotes about never giving up on my dreams and goals.

First off, Randy Pausch explained as a child he had many dreams, as many of us do. The main obstacle for him, is how will these dreams be achieved. Pausch explained, that if he couldn't make it one way, their was always a back up plan to get closer to his dreams. "Brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things", an amazing quote that Pausch used. In explaining, many people can want something and want to achieve a goal but the wall is for people who doesn't put forth the effort in doing so.

Randy Pausch then went on to explain how we should give others a chance. We never really know someone true colors if we just give up on them and don't stick around. Which came to a story that stood out to me about Dennis, he was one of Pausch students' that had a negative reputation. Pausch kept his loyalty and never gave up on him when others had. Now Dennis is over one of the programs, ALICE and doing wonderful with it.

Towards the end, Pausch gave some great tips to go by. As far as getting people to help you: tell the truth, be earnest, apologize when you screw up, and to also focus on others, instead of yourself. Other tips to go by personally: when you get feedback listen to it instead of being defensive, show gratitude, don't complain, work hard, and be prepared.

This video is one of the best motivating videos I have watched by far. It also show's as for myself, I shouldn't have any excuses in achieving my dreams.