Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

I viewed Randy Pausch's Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. Although he was near the point of death, he was very positive and encouraging. He talked about the way people should live their lives or the values he felt people should have. Also, he passed on philosophies people have taught him.

Randy Pausch wanted students to have fun while learning something new. He revealed he did not have very long to live. Despite the circumstances, he was trying to remain positive. He had a good attitude and was enthusiastic. He started the lecture by telling the audience he was in better health than most of them and was making preparations for his upcoming death. He was an imagineer and made dreams come to life by creating virtual worlds. He thought a group of his students did extremely well, but he told them they must do better in reaching their maximum potential.

Pausch included bonding and group work in his classroom. Helping others is a part of working in groups and getting along. These group members worked on projects together and the students were regrouped every two weeks. I think this encourages students to learn by interacting with a wide variety of people. "Head fakes" was a major component of his teaching techniques. This strategy manipulated students to learn by having them think they are learning something else. It is an indirect approach to learning.

Also, he had other motivating ideas and philosophies. He said you should never lose your childlike wonder; keep what is valuable to us; and loyalty is a 2-way street. He talked about its not what you say, but how you say something. He discussed the importance of critics in life. People have gave you up when you are messing up and no one is saying anything. To me, this means just listen to what they have to say whether you think it is right or not.