The Last Lecture Professional Development Comes from Inspiration · PDF fileThe Last Lecture...
Transcript of The Last Lecture Professional Development Comes from Inspiration · PDF fileThe Last Lecture...
The Last Lecture Professional Development Comes from Inspiration
Jocelyn C. Crist, The University of Kansas: UMR-ACUHO 2011
Who Was Randy Pausch? • October 23, 1960 – July 25, 2008 • Professor of computer science and human-
computer interaction & design at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).
• Learned he had pancreatic cancer in September 2006
• Given "3 to 6 months of good health left“ in August 2007
• Gave an upbeat lecture titled "The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" on September 18, 2007, at Carnegie Mellon • Popular YouTube video. Later co-authored a book
called The Last Lecture on the same theme.
What is the Last Lecture
• On September 18, 2007, Pausch presented a lecture called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Woy4OvZeEwY
The Elevator in the Ranch House • Randy woke up one day, wanted to paint on his
walls – Wanted to paint what was important to him. – Allowed him to dream, to create, own his space.
• Lessons Learned: – Find ways to help others be creative. – Nurture those instincts in them. – What can we allow students to ‘own’?
The Happiest Place on Earth • Fell in love with Disney @ 8
• Applied after PhD, got told no. • “Brick walls are there for a reason.
They’re not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.”
• When can you say, ‘tell me more’, and help build their dreams?
The Park Is Open Until 8 p.m. • Told he had 3-6 months of healthful
life. • Reminded of being told that Disney
was ‘open’ until 8 pm, when asked when it closed. • He decided to adopt a positive attitude. • Had life left – wasn’t dead yet.
• There are always more avenues, even when things seem grim – think ‘what else’.
The Dutch Uncle
• An old expression that means a person who gives you honest feedback.
• Professor said, “its such a shame that people perceive you as being so arrogant, because it’s going to limit what you’re going to be able to accomplish in life.”
• Presented things he needed to hear, in a way he’d listen.
• It’s important you tell staff and students the truth. – We’re not doing them favors letting bad traits or behaviors slide. – We’re developing the future, we’re developing citizens, it IS your
responsibility.
Pouring Soda in the Backseat • ‘Don’t mess up Uncle Randy’s new car,”.
• Immediately poured a can of soda on the back seat to demonstrate to his niece and nephew that people are more important than things.
• Let’s talk – we protect so many ‘people’ & ‘things’…..
• How do we demonstrate people are more important than things?
A Recovering Jerk
• Randy believes the number one goal for educators should be helping students learn how to judge themselves. – Recognize True Abilities – Sense of Own Flaws – Realistic About How They’re Viewed
• Provide Opportunities for Feedback Loops
• Help Understand How Perceptions Can Impede
Don’t Complain, Just Work Harder
• Randy admired Sandy Blatt and Jackie Robinson because they didn’t complain. As Randy put it:“Complaining is not a strategy.”
• Allow staff and students to process, but not complain. • Ask your staff and students to:
– Champion the Cause – Be Solution Focused
• Will help them, you, and the institution grow!
Be the First Penguin • 1st Penguin Winners were losers who were
going somewhere. • “experience is what you get when you didn’t get
what you wanted.” • Experience is the most valuable thing you have
to offer. • Encourage people to think, to try, and not to be
scared. • Reminds me of advising – sometimes we fall…. • How do you encourage more penguins or role
model?
The Lost Art of Thank-You Notes
• “Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet more powerful things humans can do for one another.”
• Handwritten thank-you notes, even in our computer age, can offer a kind of magic.
• When was the last time you sent a handwritten thank-you? – Will your note help someone go from
good to great?
All You Have to Do is Ask • Asking is the TRICK! • What would you like to ask for that
you haven’t been able to find the courage to articulate?
• What could you give your students and staff if you “just ask”?
In Randy’s Words
• Broken Down Into – Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams – Adventures . . . And Lessons Learned – Enabling the Dreams of Others – It’s About How You Live Your Life
Time to Share
• How has someone ‘imagineered’ your dreams? OR
• How will you go help someone else create theirs?