Know thyself

In week 2 of my Enhancing Leadership Through Technology the theme is "Know thyself."  The assignments that week include the Mysers Briggs personality test, a temperament test, an interest inventory and a quiz that helps identify weaknesses.  At the conclusion of the week students create an "All about me" slide project to show what all they have learned about themselves.

I was adopted as a baby and I have learned that it's very common for children (and adults) of adoption to be curious about where we come from.  I am drawn to Who am I? kinds of assessments.  I learned a few years ago that we have to be careful when doing these types of assessments because we can actually skew the results by answering the way we think we should, even when we don't realize we're doing it.

When my boys were young I remember reading the phrase "she felt like a ladybug in a group of elephants."  I often feel that way with 3 sons and a husband, but sometimes I feel that way just in general.  I feel like my "ladybug" ways get trampled by the "elephants" I'm expected to emulate.

Yesterday was the first day of summer 1 for Spanish 1411 online.  I spend a tremendous amount of time making my online classes organized and easy for students to use.  It's rare that anyone comments on my attention to detail, but yesterday a student thanked me for my clear organization.  Awww.  One of my "ladybug" ways that I'm different from my parents and husband is the power words have for me.  In the love languages mine is words of affirmation.  That kind email made me smile.

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