Course Contract

Goals:
1. Enjoy learning in this class.
2. Learn how to create an environment in which students enjoy learning.
3. Understand my own brain and the brains of my future students better.

Preparation-
Monday-Tuesday- As soon after class as possible, I will take the notes and thoughts I had during the class and make an entry in my Learning Log. (I enjoy this way of learning and making life's lessons neat and cohesive and use this already in my personal journaling...for that I think I may add the What? So what? and Now? format in my own reflections as well).
Wednesday-Thursday-Over the next two days I will read the text and make notes that I can add to during class as a topic is further clarified. I will also complete any assignments made for the class.
Weekend time will be reserved for bigger projects or emergency set backs but I hope to have the bulk of my studying done during the week. Some time on Saturday will be spent reviewing my notes and picking out some big ideas so I can be ready to contribute to class on Monday.
Throughout the week I think I will also be making observations. I enjoy people watching and over-analyze myself and others so, included in my notes, I will have notes on experiences or connections I made with the chapter to share, if appropriate, during class.

To understand material I will come to class prepared so I am able to engage in the discussion on the material. Though textbook studying can be confusing, it does allow for a good background and springboard from which to work once I am able to be with the class again work together on the subject matter.

If I do not understand the material I will read it again and google more information. If I am unable to understand still I will likely ask my therapist roommate for more information on psych questions and then go to a group of classmates for clarification on the relation to teaching. I am not usually worried about understanding the material but on how much material is going in at a time and being able to save it...should I be worried?

I will reach my goals in this course by keeping my goal in mind and recognizing that the subject matter is people and so be open to engage in the subject by using my own mind and knowledge of others as the supplemental material to the text. Learning about how we learn is enjoyable and may not feel like learning at all...it's like a double negative makes a positive.