We regret to announce the cancellation of the Self Growth Institute (SGI) event that was originally scheduled for October 23-27, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, SC. The decision to cancel has not been taken lightly, but we believe it's the best course of action given the circumstances. We know many of you were looking forward to the event as much as we were, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

The good news is that we are already working hard on our next SGI event, which will be held from February 26 to March 1, 2024, also in Myrtle Beach, SC. We are confident that this event will be well worth the wait, and we look forward to seeing you all there.

For those who would like more information or have any concerns, please feel free to reach out to us. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Using AI Effectively to Design, Implement,

and Assess Learning Experiences

Participants of the previous Using AI Effectively workshop had this to say

• “The workshop demonstrated authentic use of ChatGPT on novel applications that were selected on the spot by the audience - good use of improvisation - not a canned session.”
• “There was excellent workshop facilitation with real-time application of strategies to get the most out of ChatGPT.”
• “This workshop emphasized the importance of learning about and adapting to evolving instructional technologies.”

They also shared their insights

• “AI could be a massive boost to student engagement. It needs to be done in a way that encourages proper use of such technology so students are less likely to use it improperly.”
• “Use AI to develop examples for instruction/testing. Students love examples!”
• “AI can support life-long learning that is clearer and more targeted.”
• “Educators will need to learn to leverage AI for their teaching/scholarship to keep up with how our students will interact with the world.”
• “Faculty will become developers of learners and performance mentors, rather than information purveyors.”

Take it a Week at a Time

The days in our life are like pearls on a string. Though they are connected, as we go from one to the next, they are also separate. It is difficult to make sense of them one at a time and our most immediate feelings are about the one we’re in. That’s where our default awareness is.

The key is looking at life a week at a time. A week is the optimal unit for practically aligning life as we live it to the journeys of our life, whether they are journeys of self-growth, educational/professional journeys, or the shared journeys of relationships.

Reflecting on each week and planning then looking forward to the next will tend to keep us in a more positive mindset than evaluating each day, especially during a day’s worst moment. And that positivity, even when occasionally knocked about by the challenging moments of the week, is ultimately what sustains our commitment to the life journeys that matter to us.

Click to learn more!

Ideas In-Depth: Generalizing

This will make more sense if we work through an example. Let’s take juggling.

If you've studied the process of juggling, you know that there are certain movements that each hand and arm must make, both when catching and when tossing an object. These are the underlying principles of juggling knowledge. Beginners are often told to practice the catch and toss hand movements, without any object at all, in order to become familiar with the motions themselves. Once your hand has completed the toss motion, it must proceed to the catch motion. When you’re comfortable with the movements, you can begin to practice them by tossing and catching an object (usually a beanbag). The question of exactly when your hands should perform a toss movement or a catch movement is dictated by where the beanbag(s) are; if one is coming down, you’ll need to catch, and if one is in your hand, you’ll need to toss.

We can state these underlying principles somewhat formally:

1. The catch involves reacting smoothly to the object’s motion and entry into the hand.
2. The throw involves considering the object’s weight distribution and/or shape.
3. When tossing or catching, you can’t look at the object in the hand; you should instead watch the object in the air.
4. Parallel processing is necessary; you must focus as much on the throw as the catch.

When you can perform the toss and catch, following those principles, you can successfully juggle three beanbags!

Let’s now look at the context for juggling and determine what contextual prompts might alert you to a situation where you can apply your new juggling knowledge. Maybe you see three potatoes on the kitchen counter (three similar objects you can toss and catch). Or what about a dull moment in a social situation; might you liven things up by showing off your new skill? And given the concentration that juggling requires, maybe you can juggle your beanbags when you need to take your mind off of something for a little while. These are all reasons (or prompts) for juggling (applying your new knowledge).

Now let’s look at intentionally applying the knowledge in different contexts, from the familiar to the far. The most familiar context is juggling three objects that closely resemble the trusty beanbags; maybe tennis balls or balls of tinfoil. The next context is not quite familiar, only similar: three potatoes, or maybe even rocks. Then you can deliberately try a different context; maybe you sharpen your juggling skills by juggling while walking around. The last context in which you can apply your new skill is also the least familiar or similar: juggle flaming torches! OK…you’re probably not ready for that, but as you work our way through these increasingly unfamiliar contexts, you’re building working expertise. Another way to say it is that you are intentionally generalizing the skill of juggling. Once you have generalized your juggling into even completely unfamiliar contexts, you’ve become an expert juggler and can juggle in very different contexts without much trouble: while reciting Shakespeare, with objects that aren’t all the same, or while riding a skateboard, for instance.

The point is that when you generalize knowledge, you’re engaging in a deliberate process of learning in order to elevate the level of your knowledge. When you transfer knowledge, you’re applying it in new contexts or circumstances.