Archive for November, 2010

Tuesday, November 30, 2010. Today I am grateful for the great life I’ve had helping children and adults triumph over learning difficulties. I am also grateful for others who have helped historically, and those who are presently helping students overcome learning problems. An example is those at the Learning Success Centre, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA.

Images below from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryerson_University

The Normal School on Gould St. 1856

The Normal School Today 2009

Egerton Ryerson (1803-1882)

Student Services – Learning Success Centre – Ryerson University The Learning Success Centre is dedicated to helping students reach their academic potential by providing professional resources that develop sound learning … http://www.ryerson.ca/learningsuccess/

“Reed Hilton-Eddy, a learning strategist at Ryerson University’s Learning Success Centre, offers these helpful strategies to help students manage exam anxiety and study effectively so they can pass their finals with flying colors.

Tip 1: Be an active learner

Choose to be “doing” something with your material such as paraphrasing, creating and answering questions, completing practice tests from the textbook, drawing diagrams or making charts.

Tip 2: Manage your time wisely

a) Determine between now and your exam date how many hours you can dedicate to exam preparation — keep in mind your own pacing, the need for breaks, other school work and personal commitments.

b) Weigh your study time according to the amount of material you need to cover. For example, if you have 10 hours to study and 5 chapters, you should try to give 2 hours per chapter. However, this would change if you need to spend more time reviewing the more important chapters.

c) Make sure you plan what you are supposed to be doing during those study sessions. Establish goals or benchmarks you need to reach and resist the urge to stop early.

Tip 3: Speak positively to yourself

Watch what you are saying to yourself during your exam preparation and before and during an exam. Instead of saying to yourself: “Don’t panic, don’t fail, don’t screw up,” try more supportive thoughts such as: “I am calm, I am prepared” or “I am relaxed.”

Tip 4: Practice

Create mock exams for yourself and time them so you can get used to performing under [time] pressure.

Tip 5: Ask Questions

Seek help early if you don’t understand concepts presented in a lecture or in the readings. It is important to ask the professor, a teaching assistant or peer for assistance because that concept that is confusing you is often linked to other material in the course.

Tip 6: Feeling nervous is normal during exams

Keep in mind that experiencing some jitters is normal and may help you do well in an exam. But if you find that being very nervous is impacting your performance, seek support — most institutions have onsite counselling.

Tip 7: Avoid Distractions

When you are studying, make it your priority. This means turning off MSN, cell phones, Facebook, etc. On the day of the exam, avoid other nervous students. Instead, you should use the few moments beforehand to relax and gather your thoughts, not teach yourself or peers course material.”

– Reed Hilton-Eddy, Learning Strategist, Learning Success Centre, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA [Reported in the newspaper: 24H > Calgary, Monday, November 29, 2010, page 11.]

Thank you, Reed, for being a learning leader!

Doc Meek, Tuesday, November 30, 2010, at Nose Hill Public Library, Calgary, Alberta, CANADA

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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 Monday, November 29, 2010. Today I am grateful to know that we study, learn and memorize better when we are relaxed and alert, not stressed. I am thankful for the lesson in de-stressing given us by Dominick Birdsey, a character created by Wally Lamb (1998) in I Know This Much is True (not a book about religion).

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (1998)
Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Know_This_Much_Is_True

Dominick’s twin brother, Thomas, suffers from mental illness and this creates great stresses for them both. Despite Dominick’s initial dislike of going to the gym for a stress-relieving workout, he later finds what does work for him (and you?).

Dominick Birdsey speaks to us from page 100 of Wally Lamb’s I Know This Much Is True:

“I actually started liking it down at Hardbodies [gym], though. Not the weight machines or the exercise bikes or any of that [crap]. There aren’t enough hours in the day as it is and I’m going to waste time riding a bike to nowhere?

“What I liked was the racquetball. Smashing those little blue balls against four walls felt good to me in a way nothing else had for a long time. Felt therapeutic, I guess. Racquetball spends you, you know? Sweats the p— and vinegar right out of you.

“Those little rubber balls can be anybody.”

Thank you, Dominick, for your insight about de-stressing! 😮

Doc Meek, Monday, November 29, 2010, at Nose Hill Public Library, Calgary, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. I am enjoying reading I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb (1998). What encouraged me to read this book was a comment in Publishers Weekly: ” . . . a fully developed and triumphantly resolved exploration of one man’s suffering and redemption.”

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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Thursday, November 25, 2010. Today I am thankful for American Thanksgiving. I already celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving back on Oct 11, 2010.

Image from: http://www.westjet.com

I am so lucky! Two overwhelming days of gratitudes, one in Canada and one in the US.

I’m flying to Canada today. The question is this:

“Why would I want to fly from 70 degrees Fahrenheit in Florida to 20 degrees below zero Celsius in Canada?” 😮

Crazy Canuck, I guess. 😮

Here’s to the pioneers of both countries, who made our modern life possible. Love you guys and gals (and children, who worked hard too)!

Doc Meek, Thursday, November 25, 2010, at Super 8 Motel, Dania Beach, Florida, USA.

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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Wednesday, November 24, 2010. Today I am grateful for David Perlmutter, M.D., a Board-Certified Neurologist with a worldwide practice centered in Naples, on the west coast of Florida.

Images and text below from Dr. Perlmutter’s website: http://www.perlhealth.com

“Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten”

by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM Learn More »

“The Better Brain Book”
 
by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM Learn More »

Dr. Perlmutter works innovatively with a wide variety of neurological and nutritional issues and preventive medicine, including helping adults and children overcome learning problems.

This  makes him a hero in my eyes, as I have been helping adults and children triumph over learning difficulties for more than 30 years now.

Thank you, Dr. Perlmutter, for inspiring hope for children and parents and others!

Doc Meek, Wednesday, November 24, 2010, at the Super 8 Motel in Dania Beach, Florida (on the east coast of Florida, opposite Dr. Perlmutter’s office on the west coast at Naples).

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010. Today I am grateful for Florida weather. 70 degrees Fahrenheit beats 20 degrees below zero Celsius in northern Canada any day! 😮

Image above from: http://travel-here-andy.blogspot.com/2010/05/fort-lauderdale-beach-holidays.html

Doc Meek, Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010, at Super 8 Motel, Dania Beach, Florida, USA.

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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Monday, November 22, 2010. Today I am grateful for all the people who keep inspiring us to help our children read better, as reading is a gateway to so much in life, and for some (like me) reading is itself an important part of life.

I received a recent email from Pat Wyman of http://HowToLearn.com

Pat Wyman, M.A.

Best Selling Author, Learning vs.Testing
America’s Most Trusted Learning Expert

Today’s Tip:  8 Tips To Make Your Child A Great Reader

.
Dear Doc,

When I visited my new grandson last week, I was so happy to see that he had lots of books on his nursery shelf. My daughter and her husband are reading stories to Jackson every night and she even bought me a grandma and grandson story to read to him.

Well, I can hear you saying, that’s nice Pat, but what does this have to do with my child?

As a reading specialist, I know this is one of the best ways to help your child begin to love reading, and ultimately become a great reader.

But, it is only the beginning, and if you follow the 8 Tips in the article on the HowToLearn.com site your child will have the solid strategies they need to read at or above grade level.

Plus, if your child struggles with reading, there are tips to solve those challenges too.

Here are the 8 Tips To Make Your Child A Great Reader:

http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=52GBd&m=1e_BXEzGe8PI2b&b=xsVyz_Tn6h.LrdDVNJNvkQ

To your child’s reading success,

Pat Wyman
Founder, HowToLearn.com

The Center for New Discoveries in Learning, Inc., 4535 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89102.

Thank you, Pat Wyman!

Doc Meek, Monday, November 22, 2010, at Super 8 Motel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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Sunday, November 21, 2010. Today I am grateful for those who look after themselves by helping others to look after themselves. Yes.

I received an email from GHNI recently, speaking to bringing help and hope to the hidden and hurting, in five vital areas:

“Hey everyone!
Thank you to each and every one of you who participated in ServeHope this year! Whether you volunteered or gave a financial donation – THANK YOU! You have been part of a huge and successful effort to serve the poor both locally and globally. Here is a quick overview and a video message from Jeff Power, GHNI Director of US Partner Development.

http://globalhopenetwork.org/thank-you-for-serving-hope?utm_source=Bulk+email&utm_campaign=cde4778663-Thank_You_for_Serving_Hope_11_12_2010&utm_medium=email

Also, be sure to check out these short ServeHope videos of some of the service projects!

http://vimeo.com/theghni

Thanks again for joining with GHNI to help the global poor by serving those in your local communities. It truly is a win-win!

Naomi Schalm
GHNI Web Journalist”

Thank you, Naomi Schalm and GHNI (Global Hope Network International)!

Doc Meek, Sunday, November 21, 2010, at Strathcona Public Library, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. Going to Florida tomorrow for some personal business. I hope I can find a public library with a computer terminal so I can post to THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE blog from there! We’ll see. At least I’ll be warm. 😮

Here in the “Frozen North” (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada)  right now it’s about minus 20 degrees Celsius (for you in the US, that’s Canadian for minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit).

The “Chosen Frozen” they sometimes call us. 😮

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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Thursday, November 18, 2010. Today I am grateful for people who humbly and quietly go about making the world work, with very little public recognition, such as Moms. Way to go, gals! As my Mom says, “If the men had the babies, there would be only one per family.” Or a lot less than that! 😮

Image from:  http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/180-6979811-2971118?asin=B0031NXOGK&AFID=shopping_df&LNM=|B0031NXOGK&CPNG=&ci_src=13736960&ci_sku=B0031NXOGK&ref=tgt_adv_XSC10001

“Do all the good you can, and make as little fuss about it as possible.” ~ Charles Dickens (1812-1870); novelist

Thank you Charles! Thank you Moms!

Doc Meek, Thursday, November 18, 2010, at Strathcona County Public Library, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010. Today I am grateful for our human capacity to learn to be calm even under severe duress. Generally speaking, animals do not have this capability, unless trained. We need self-training or outside training of course too, or at least some practice.

Image & text below from:  http://watchandtrain.com/dogtraining/blogs/thoughts/archive/2008/03/10/alpha-roll-one-mistake-when-working-with-aggressive-dogs.aspx

“Approximately half of my private dog training caseload involves aggression directed towards other dogs or people. While more difficult than basic or advanced training, my success rate for helping a dog overcome aggression is very high. I practice very measured, systematic strategies to lower dogs overall anxiety and help them learn to be comfortable in situations that currently make them aggressive. I only recommend, and use, positive reinforcement techniques.” – Jeff Millman, dog trainer

We humans have much more control over our emtions, generally speaking, than say, dogs do. We can actually hear Coach Lou Holtz when he says:

“Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.” – Lou Holtz, from:

Life’s Little Instruction Book, Volume II: A few more suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life, by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Thank you, Coach Holtz and Jackson Brown!

Doc Meek, Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at Strathcona County Library, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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Tuesday, November16, 2010. Today I am grateful for education and learning, and the touch of humor that can take us further in our learning than we thought possible.

A green taxi at Arlington, Virginia. Hybrid taxis are becoming common in major cities around the world; image and text from Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicab

“Got that? I think everyone should go to college and get a degree, and then spend six months as a bartender and six months as a cabdriver. Then they would really be educated. – Al McGuire, basketball coach and commentator”

Further, from the same issue of Reader’s Digest, page 49:

“Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get when you don’t.- Pete Seeger”

“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. – Sydney J. Harris”

“Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance. – Will Durant”

“Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten. – B.F. Skinner.”

Thank you, Reader’s Digest!

Here’s to educators and learners and thinkers!

All three in one?

Doc Meek, Tuesday, November 16, 2010, at Strathcona Country Library, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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