Page 182 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

• Answer the Critical Thinking Questions about the Problem Solving Methodology
• Use the Personal Development Methodology
• Use the SII rubric to assess personal and academic achievements
• Begin prioritizing, managing resources, and functioning as a self-grower
• Understand how to respond to failure and move forward

READING

Becoming a Self-Grower

Self-growers represent the highest level of performance for learning; they also provide a good model for
engaging in the process of personal development, a topic we introduced in Chapter 2. Self-growers have
the greatest capability to develop their skills and improve future performance in all areas. Now that you
have strengthened your identity and gained stronger learning skills, you can move on to new processes for
personal growth. Look at the different characteristics and behaviors of a self-grower, listed below. How
would you rate yourself as a self-grower?

A self-grower...

1. Thinks critically in different contexts so as to be efficient while producing quality results from the
processes utilized.

2. Uses information in an efficient manner to limit “overload” by maximizing consistency of choices
with values.

3. Seeks to improve his or her own performance with every experience.
4. Puts himself or herself into challenging environments that require increased levels of performance.
5. Self-assesses and self-mentors to facilitate his or her own growth.
6. Takes positive action in responding to external challenges that are personally or socially important.
7. Has a strong desire to grow and develop in all aspects of his or her life.
8. Creates his or her own challenges in order to take control of his or her own destiny.
9. Has a high degree of self-confidence and emotional maturity reflected in his or her ability to set

realistic priorities and to take meaningful risks.
10. Serves as a mentor to others and is a model of service.

At the end of this chapter, we have included profiles of self-growers, and more can be found on the course
resources web site.

PROCEED TO ACTIVITY 7.1 (page 197)

176 Foundations of Learning