I found this when I was formatting my computer: It is the very first assignment for my materials class with Mary Anne White at Dalhousie... man she was awesome, and I was definetly sucking up... haha although you know, I probably wasn't at all...



Laura Albrecht
Chemistry 3303B

Assignment 1


A Learning Philosophy


To have learnt something, a mind must not only be able to remember the new information that has been introduced, but it must be able to apply the new concepts to other ideas and situations that have not yet been encountered. Simply memorizing facts and outcomes, with no understanding of the underlying theory or process, allows for no expansion on new ideas. Learning how a result comes about, and why, replaces the need for memorization, as it becomes possible to derive almost everything from what has been learnt.
In my experience, learning success is found in those occasions where I am truly interested and inspired by the information presented to me. I strive to find connections between what I already know and what I am learning. These connections are not always evident and work and dedication is often required to fully grasp the concepts presented. Practice with assignments and studying the course material are essential to learning, and often outside references are necessary.
In this course I anticipate an opportunity to learn a lot of new material that I am not familiar with. I also hope to be able to apply it to, and find connections with, the things that I already do know. Every little bit is another puzzle piece fitting into the mechanics of the world.




*sigh* I miss the days when I thought like that... I suppose I still do, I just need more opportunity to exercise it.