Understanding Social Cognitive Learning Theory by Relating it to Personal Experience
EDI 600 Psychological Foundation of Education
School of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
November 4, 2008
Long Island University, C. W. Post
November 4, 2008
I found last night’s class to be very informative. I listened with great interest when the subject of self-efficacy was discussed. I learned that individuals with a high degree of self-efficacy were engaged, optimistic, motivated, and confident learners. I have always felt that attitude is extremely important when you take on something new.
When I decided to go back to graduate school, I was very worried about how things would go for a number of reasons. Over 20 years have gone by since I attended school. I have never taken graduate courses before. Most of the students would be younger than me. I worried a lot about that. I had no background in education. The list goes on and on. I stopped and thought, “I have a choice here.” I could focus on any number of negative thoughts that passed through my head, or I could simply remember the one thing I had through all of this was me.
I think back to how scared I was when I had my first child. It was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life, and I got through it. Sometimes, I think life is a lot like childbirth. There is a brief period of intense discomfort, but a lifetime of reward follows. Every time I look at my three daughters, I know I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Most things in life that are worthwhile are difficult to obtain and require a lot of hard work. There are many times throughout my life that I have been challenged, and I have come through each and every time. I think each success brings more confidence. Attitude is everything.
What makes an individual develop a good attitude includes how things have played out in the past, indentifying with the end result, and the encouragement of a good teacher. Every time I have trouble playing a piece of music, my 80-year-old teacher tells me, “you can do it,” and I just believe her and keep working until I get it. Those few words mean everything to me and I know quitting would be wrong. A good teacher makes all the difference here.
Denting, you are a good teacher. You encourage me all the time. I find your class to be very interesting and I look forward to coming every week. Although I understand some of the concerns of my fellow students, I think they should have given you a chance first to address their concerns on the conference in December before going forward with the petition.
That being said, there are times when my personal situation (having three young children) affects what I can commit to, and it has nothing to do with my desire to do well. When I had to see my advisor to sign up for classes this spring, there was a class that I needed to take, but it is only offered at 5:00. I had to put off taking it because my husband cannot be home from work in time to allow me to be at school by 5:00. I feel uncomfortable leaving my children alone. My oldest daughter is twelve, and I know she is not ready to watch and care for her six-year-old sister. I try very hard to make sure that I can honor my commitments. Like most people, I just want to do well.
When I decided to go back to graduate school, I was very worried about how things would go for a number of reasons. Over 20 years have gone by since I attended school. I have never taken graduate courses before. Most of the students would be younger than me. I worried a lot about that. I had no background in education. The list goes on and on. I stopped and thought, “I have a choice here.” I could focus on any number of negative thoughts that passed through my head, or I could simply remember the one thing I had through all of this was me.
I think back to how scared I was when I had my first child. It was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life, and I got through it. Sometimes, I think life is a lot like childbirth. There is a brief period of intense discomfort, but a lifetime of reward follows. Every time I look at my three daughters, I know I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Most things in life that are worthwhile are difficult to obtain and require a lot of hard work. There are many times throughout my life that I have been challenged, and I have come through each and every time. I think each success brings more confidence. Attitude is everything.
What makes an individual develop a good attitude includes how things have played out in the past, indentifying with the end result, and the encouragement of a good teacher. Every time I have trouble playing a piece of music, my 80-year-old teacher tells me, “you can do it,” and I just believe her and keep working until I get it. Those few words mean everything to me and I know quitting would be wrong. A good teacher makes all the difference here.
Denting, you are a good teacher. You encourage me all the time. I find your class to be very interesting and I look forward to coming every week. Although I understand some of the concerns of my fellow students, I think they should have given you a chance first to address their concerns on the conference in December before going forward with the petition.
That being said, there are times when my personal situation (having three young children) affects what I can commit to, and it has nothing to do with my desire to do well. When I had to see my advisor to sign up for classes this spring, there was a class that I needed to take, but it is only offered at 5:00. I had to put off taking it because my husband cannot be home from work in time to allow me to be at school by 5:00. I feel uncomfortable leaving my children alone. My oldest daughter is twelve, and I know she is not ready to watch and care for her six-year-old sister. I try very hard to make sure that I can honor my commitments. Like most people, I just want to do well.
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