Growth Mindset

I had never heard of Carol Dweck or the growth mindset before this.

I have learned a lot about my own learning while at OU. I have found that I enjoy learning a little bit about a wide variety of subjects. My biggest challenges as I set about learning new things is realizing that I will have to learn more than I want to know and explore deeper than what initially sparks my interest.

I immediately thought about how I see myself on the spectrum of growth-fixed mindset in my life outside of the classroom. During the summer, I am involved in Drum Corps International. I am in one of multiple groups who tour the country essentially performing a professional marching band show. The time period extends from the end of may until the beginning of August. We rehearse our ten minute anywhere from 10-14 hours a day and only take breaks (30 minutes to an hour) to eat. This experience turns the performers from fixed mindset individuals to growth mindset people. It is such an activity that you can't be in a fixed mindset. With so much rehearsal focused on making a ten minute show near perfect, you have to always realize there is room to grow and room to make something better. By doing this so intensely for such a long period of time, you go through changes in yourself as well. You come back from the summer a more growth minded person altogether. There's always room to grow and room to learn. Nothing is ever perfect. However, it's not about perfection, but the perfect approach.

My personal learning goals for this semester is to learn more about things outside of the classroom. I'm not in any classes that relate to what I would like to do when I graduate, so I want to dive into my passions and learn more about those so that I don't get overwhelmed with subjects I am less passionate about. I actually really enjoy this class because I am learning more about myself and different styles of learning and organization that are applicable to all of my classes and life in general.

 

Meme reflecting the Growth Mindset. Source: Growth Mindset Memes.

I included this image to go along with what I do in the summer. The more you practice, the better you get. Even if you don't always see the change. It can be subtle, but it always occurs. There is always room for growth and improvement through practice.

Week 1 Curation

 

Folders for organizing. Source: Pixabay.

I already use the bookmark feature and did not have any trouble with this. Another way that I keep different websites organized is by using one window with multiple tabs with like aspects. For instance, I keep my blog and all things used for this class in one window with multiple tabs. Also open on my desktop is another window with my e-mail, D2L and Ozone as the tabs. This organizes it for me by having like windows open and not all cluttered into a single one.
 
I also use Google to keep track of a lot of things related to school, the organizations I am in and my life in general. The Google Drive and calendar are extremely helpful to utilize when it comes to the organizations I am involved with. With the Drive and calendar, all members can access information, documents, sign ups, dates, etc. and always be on the same page.

I feel as if I am decent at keeping track of information online. I still have much to learn and a lot of room to grow, but I take full advantage of the tools I know exist and help.

Storybook Favorites

Storybook One: LSD in a Yellow Submarine

This topic was something fairly new to me. While I know about the Beatles, their history and their music, I did not know of the inspirations the author took their storybook from. The title did a good job letting the reader know what the Storybook was about, since it was dealing with the Beatles and drugs.
The introduction was very enticing and made me want to read more! The way the author told the story of purchasing the yellow submarine was creative and grabbed my attention. The image also helped to draw my eye. The layout is decent. I'm not too fond of how bright it is, but it fits with the theme.
I like the layout and how the sidebar creates for an easy transition between stories. It is simple to maneuver and find the next page to read. I want to use this in my own Storybook.

Storybook Two: Fairytale Case Files

Fairytale Case Files Storybook. Source: Fairytale Case Files.
The topic was very familiar to me. I enjoy fairytales and learning about them! The title did a great job of letting the reader know what the Storybook was about, considering the book was about fairytales.
The introduction does a great job of explaining the topic and prompting me to want to read the stories. The author asks questions and then immediately answers them. He keeps it entertaining and leaves me wanting to know more. The creative style of the questions in the very beginning was what initially pulled me in. The layout and design are well put together and are not distracting to the story, but actually promote the theme.
I enjoy the physical layout of the pages overall. Everything is neat, organized and easy to read. That is how I envision my Storybook to be as a finished product. Once again, I like the sidebar that helps indicate what to read next.

Storybook Three: Gossip Girl
This topic was new to me. The title did not do a very good job letting the reader know what the Storybook was about. While I know what Gossip Girl is and while the author did a wonderful job imitating the style of the TV show, the title did not allude to the other parts of the Storybook.
The use of the Gossip Girl-like writing in the introduction made it easy and fun to read, leaving me wanting to learn more about what she was discussing.
The physical layout is decent. It doesn't distract from the story and fits with the theme. The navigation is easy to figure out and uses the same system that I would like to use in my own Storybook.

UnTextbook

Homer's Odyssey: This unit seemed interesting to me because I learned about Homer's Odyssey in high school. I would like to venture deeper into the story and relearn and reread it. I chose this image because it depicts part of Homer's Odyssey.

Image of the Odyssey. Source: Wikimedia.

King Arthur: I chose this unit because of its familiarity. I would like to get to know more about a story that was told and shown to me as a child and view different interpretations of it. I chose this image because it shows how powerful King Arthur is and it is how I imagined him looking.

Image of King Arthur. Source: Wikimedia.


Laos: This unit seems interesting because it is about a small country. The overview makes this unit even more intriguing, describing stories ranging from so many different subjects. The variety is what interests me in this unit. I chose this image because it shows how small Laos is.

Image of the country Laos. Source: Wikimedia.


Monkey King: I originally found this interesting because of the name of the unit. After reading the overview, I became even more interested. The phrases "miraculous birth," "training as a magician and warrior," and "audacious rebellion against heaven" all seem like interesting things to read and learn about. I chose this image because it shows that people still retell the stories of the monkey king and even dress the part to pass the stories on. There are multiple ways to tell a story and this depicts an interesting one.

 Image of someone portraying the Monkey King. Source: Wikipedia.

Nursery Rhymes: I find this intriguing because of how much can be taken from such short rhymes. There are stories to be told from these rhymes that could only be a sentence long. I chose this image because it reminds me of many nursery rhymes I heard as a child.

Image of a Nursery Rhyme. Source: Wikipedia.



Then make sure you include at least one image also (with Image Information), along with a sentence or two about why you chose that image

Introduction

Hello, everyone! My name is Kelsey Branson and I am a Senior at the University of Oklahoma.

(Image Information: personal photo of me and two of my best friends-I'm the redhead;
photo from October 2015.)

I have changed my major five times, and I am currently majoring in public relations and minoring in interior design. This is the degree I will graduate with because college is expensive. But even with changing my major, I still get to graduate on time! Eventually, I would like to be an event coordinator/planner and manage events ranging from the corporate realm to social gatherings.

I am also extremely passionate about music, marching band and performing. I am in the Pride of Oklahoma and I play the saxophone. However, my primary instrument is bassoon. I also participate in Drum Corps International over the summer, touring the country and performing a marching show. For this I do colorguard. One of my favorite aspects of DCI is that we get to perform for thousands of people at a time with the people who become our family by our side.

I love people! One of my favorite things to do is to listen to people talk about their passions. It thrills me when someone is discussing something that means so much to them. The way people's eyes light up and the excitement in their voices makes me extremely happy.

One of my biggest pet peeves is being able to hear people eat. This doesn't always bother me, but when it does I absolutely can't stand it.

The most important thing to me is my family. Without them, I would not be the person I am today. They have given me so much guidance, support and love throughout my life and I hope to pass that on to my own family and children some day.

 (Image Information: Me and my parents;
photo from October 2015.)

My roommates are pretty much my second family. Here we all are!

 

(Image Information: The Roommates;
photo from October 2015.)

My favorite quote is the following:
"No, we won't think noble because we're not noble. We won't live in beautiful harmony because there's no such thing in this world, nor should there be. We promise only to do our best and to live out our lives, dear God, that's all we can promise in truth."

This is from the operetta Candide, composed by Leonard Bernstein. The quote means more to me with each passing day and I try to live my life by those words. I try to do my best and to live out my life with no regrets and realize that that is the best I can do.

I hope to get to know you all! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Week 1 Storytelling: Johnny's Birthday

"PAT-A-CAKE, pat-a-cake, baker's man! (So I will, master), as fast as I can: Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with T, Put in the oven for Tommy and me."

(traditional nursery rhyme)

The Nursery Rhyme Book, edited by Andrew Lang and illustrated by L. Leslie Brooke (1897). Web source: Project Gutenberg.

There once was a little boy named Johnny who lived in a small, quiet town. All those living in the town knew Tommy to be extremely impatient. Everyone knew that his birthday was coming up in less than a week, because he did not let a moment pass by without announcing it for all to hear. He absolutely could not wait to be seven!

Even his best friend, Tommy, was getting tired of hearing about it. However, Tommy knew that he only had to hear about it for another week and then would be free of hearing about Johnny's birthday for at least another 8 months. Also, how could Tommy complain when he knew that he would get to eat some of Johnny's birthday cake?

Ah, birthday cake; the local baker's specialty. Golden, baked to perfection. Topped with delicious frosting. Each bite leaving you wanting more. Knowing that one would be able to eat the baker's  cake in less than a week was something anyone would be impatient about.

The days went by, each seeming to be longer and longer. Johnny was still as impatient as can be, which of course got worse by each passing moment. However, the day finally came and Johnny turned seven!

He woke up in the morning, eager to get out of bed and celebrate with the world. But first, he had to meet up with his best friend, Tommy. He and Tommy spent the entire morning together, laughing and celebrating Johnny's birthday. All they could talk about was the baker's cake they were going to have that night. It had been on their minds for the past month. Waiting for the bakery to open felt to them like an eternity.

Noon finally rolled around, and of course Johnny was the first in line.

"You made it! I was worried you wouldn't be here," the baker joked as Johnny rushed into the store.

"Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man," Johnny screamed with excitement, "pat it, and prick it, and mark it with T, Put in the oven for Tommy and me."

The baker gladly agreed and made the most delicious birthday cake Johnny had ever tasted.

Tommy and Johnny finished off the night celebrating Johnny's birthday with the last bite of cake.
"I can't wait until next year," Johnny sighed.

Photo of a man using a balance to measure a mass of flour. Source: Wikipedia

Author's Note:
This nursery rhyme was one I had heard growing up. It is about someone demanding a cake from a baker. The baker complies, agreeing to make the cake as fast as he can.

I got the idea for my story from the words in the nursery rhyme. The quickness of the baker reminded me of impatience, which is why the person in the story requesting the cake is young and eager to get his cake. I decided to make Tommy his best friend so they could share in the delicious cake together, because I believe that enjoying cake with friends always sounds better than enjoying cake alone.

I used this image because it is of a baker diligently making the perfect cake, which is how I imagined the baker in my story making his cake. He's measuring out everything necessary to ensure the success of his masterpiece of a cake.

I chose this nursery rhyme because I have been craving cake for the past few days; enough that I was inspired to write a short story about it. The delicious cake described in the story is exactly what I have wanted to eat. Hopefully soon I can taste a great baker's cake!

Favorite "Places"

My favorite places are not necessarily places and I do not have a favorite location. For me it is the people who make places special. I could be anywhere, and if I am with friends and family I feel at home.

With the exception of Disney World, of course. But who doesn't love that place?

And I'm with friends, so it's double the excitement!

(Image Information: personal photo me with band friends at Disney World;
photo from December 2014.) 

I also love Norman, OU, and being able to travel with the Pride of Oklahoma. We get to see so many places that could be on my 'favorite' list, but the one thing that connects them and makes them all special in my mind are the people.

(Image Information: personal photo of me and my roommates in our Pride uniforms;
photo from August 2014.) 

 My parents and family are my home. My absolute favorite place to be is with them.

(Image Information: personal photo of me and my parents at a football game;
photo from October 2014.) 

During the summer I am able to perform with a group across the country in multiple venues. This is something that I am incredibly passionate about and it is one of my favorite activities in my life. My favorite place to perform is in Indianapolis in Lucas Oil Stadium, with my friends who may as well be family by my side.

 

(Image Information: personal photo of me and my best friend in Lucas Oil Stadium, before our last performance;
photo from August 2015.) 

My favorite places aren't necessarily places, but they're wherever I am with the people I love and care about. They are what make places special. Home (and my favorite places) is where the heart is and my heart is with them.

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Hello! My name is Kelsey and I'm a Senior at the University of Oklahoma.

Wolf. Source: Pixabay

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