okay it’s a real pleasure to be here and I wanted to tell you a little bit about
I wanted to tell you a little bit about
I wanted to tell you a little bit about myself as well and I had a lot of
myself as well and I had a lot of
myself as well and I had a lot of flashbacks to being an undergrad just
flashbacks to being an undergrad just
flashbacks to being an undergrad just hearing Patrick’s talk and talking about
hearing Patrick’s talk and talking about
hearing Patrick’s talk and talking about door gana chemistry brought back a lot
door gana chemistry brought back a lot
door gana chemistry brought back a lot of unpleasant memories just as he was
of unpleasant memories just as he was
of unpleasant memories just as he was sort of mentioning but my major was
sort of mentioning but my major was
sort of mentioning but my major was actually in neuroscience and in my major
actually in neuroscience and in my major
actually in neuroscience and in my major in neuroscience one of the things that I
in neuroscience one of the things that I
in neuroscience one of the things that I was principally involved with was
was principally involved with was
was principally involved with was learning about how the brain works and
learning about how the brain works and
learning about how the brain works and at the time in the early 2000s we didn’t
at the time in the early 2000s we didn’t
at the time in the early 2000s we didn’t really know a lot about brain plasticity
really know a lot about brain plasticity
really know a lot about brain plasticity and one of the things that my lab that
and one of the things that my lab that
and one of the things that my lab that was again working here at the University
was again working here at the University
was again working here at the University of Toronto at the Hospital for Sick
of Toronto at the Hospital for Sick
of Toronto at the Hospital for Sick Children was really interested in was
Children was really interested in was
Children was really interested in was how does the brain adapt and how does it
how does the brain adapt and how does it
how does the brain adapt and how does it in terms of learning and memory and that
in terms of learning and memory and that
in terms of learning and memory and that was one of the lines of research and I
was one of the lines of research and I
was one of the lines of research and I have to say I loved that research I used
have to say I loved that research I used
have to say I loved that research I used to work in the lab like 20 hours a day
to work in the lab like 20 hours a day
to work in the lab like 20 hours a day because not because my supervisor wanted
because not because my supervisor wanted
because not because my supervisor wanted me to be there but because I loved that
me to be there but because I loved that
me to be there but because I loved that research so much and it was one of those
research so much and it was one of those
research so much and it was one of those things that I really loved the aspect of
things that I really loved the aspect of
things that I really loved the aspect of the theory behind how the brain changes
the theory behind how the brain changes
the theory behind how the brain changes how neurotransmitters change how
how neurotransmitters change how
how neurotransmitters change how different types of kinases change and
different types of kinases change and
different types of kinases change and how the brain learned to adapt as it
how the brain learned to adapt as it
how the brain learned to adapt as it learned as as well as how memory started
learned as as well as how memory started
learned as as well as how memory started to form but it was one of those things
to form but it was one of those things
to form but it was one of those things that as I got on and I started thinking
that as I got on and I started thinking
that as I got on and I started thinking a little bit about my research I
a little bit about my research I
a little bit about my research I actually wanted to apply it I wanted to
actually wanted to apply it I wanted to
actually wanted to apply it I wanted to actually know it’s all this theory about
actually know it’s all this theory about
actually know it’s all this theory about learning and memory and all these
learning and memory and all these
learning and memory and all these molecules that were finding in the lab
molecules that were finding in the lab
molecules that were finding in the lab and that we’re publishing in these
and that we’re publishing in these
and that we’re publishing in these really high profile journals is this
really high profile journals is this
really high profile journals is this actually meaningful in anything in any
actually meaningful in anything in any
actually meaningful in anything in any significant way and one of the things
significant way and one of the things
significant way and one of the things that I got really lucky with and as was
that I got really lucky with and as was
that I got really lucky with and as was mentioned a little bit earlier I was on
mentioned a little bit earlier I was on
mentioned a little bit earlier I was on the Lum nie here at the University of
the Lum nie here at the University of
the Lum nie here at the University of Toronto and one of the things that I got
Toronto and one of the things that I got
Toronto and one of the things that I got really lucky with or was very fortunate
really lucky with or was very fortunate
really lucky with or was very fortunate with was that I got to come back here to
with was that I got to come back here to
with was that I got to come back here to be able to teach and I was offered this
be able to teach and I was offered this
be able to teach and I was offered this opportunity to actually come back and
opportunity to actually come back and
opportunity to actually come back and teach in the very same courses that I
teach in the very same courses that I
teach in the very same courses that I have taken as an undergrad just to put
have taken as an undergrad just to put
have taken as an undergrad just to put things in perspective for you my
things in perspective for you my
things in perspective for you my undergrad was a little bit different in
undergrad was a little bit different in
undergrad was a little bit different in terms of the types of things that
terms of the types of things that
terms of the types of things that students have now my my undergrad
students have now my my undergrad
students have now my my undergrad at the time really had nothing more than
at the time really had nothing more than
at the time really had nothing more than someone standing at the very front of
someone standing at the very front of
someone standing at the very front of the room talking and we would take down
the room talking and we would take down
the room talking and we would take down notes and we would take down as many
notes and we would take down as many
notes and we would take down as many notes as we possibly could
notes as we possibly could
notes as we possibly could students now have very very different
students now have very very different
students now have very very different types of assets available to them but
types of assets available to them but
types of assets available to them but that was the way that I learned and I
that was the way that I learned and I
that was the way that I learned and I and again I was really excited by the
and again I was really excited by the
and again I was really excited by the fact that I got to come back here to U
fact that I got to come back here to U
fact that I got to come back here to U of T to be able to teach in the very
of T to be able to teach in the very
of T to be able to teach in the very same courses that unfortunately as an
same courses that unfortunately as an
same courses that unfortunately as an undergraduate student I didn’t do very
undergraduate student I didn’t do very
undergraduate student I didn’t do very well in and I have to admit that I
well in and I have to admit that I
well in and I have to admit that I actually didn’t enjoy my undergraduate
actually didn’t enjoy my undergraduate
actually didn’t enjoy my undergraduate experience a lot in university it was
experience a lot in university it was
experience a lot in university it was one of those things where I felt that I
one of those things where I felt that I
one of those things where I felt that I just went through the motions of
just went through the motions of
just went through the motions of learning I didn’t really have a good
learning I didn’t really have a good
learning I didn’t really have a good opportunity to learn it was one of those
opportunity to learn it was one of those
opportunity to learn it was one of those things that I promised that when I came
things that I promised that when I came
things that I promised that when I came back I would make all those things that
back I would make all those things that
back I would make all those things that didn’t work well for me work well for
didn’t work well for me work well for
didn’t work well for me work well for the students that I was going to be
the students that I was going to be
the students that I was going to be involved with and this got me to read a
involved with and this got me to read a
involved with and this got me to read a lot I I knew that I would I wasn’t going
lot I I knew that I would I wasn’t going
lot I I knew that I would I wasn’t going to be able to rely on my good looks as
to be able to rely on my good looks as
to be able to rely on my good looks as much as my wife said that I might be
much as my wife said that I might be
much as my wife said that I might be able to get away with things that way I
able to get away with things that way I
able to get away with things that way I knew that I actually had to put a lot of
knew that I actually had to put a lot of
knew that I actually had to put a lot of work in a lot of effort into translating
work in a lot of effort into translating
work in a lot of effort into translating what I did well in research and to try
what I did well in research and to try
what I did well in research and to try to do all those things that I had
to do all those things that I had
to do all those things that I had promised myself that I would do in terms
promised myself that I would do in terms
promised myself that I would do in terms of being able to teach and one of the
of being able to teach and one of the
of being able to teach and one of the things that I started to do was to read
things that I started to do was to read
things that I started to do was to read everything I possibly could about
everything I possibly could about
everything I possibly could about teaching because I had no experience in
teaching because I had no experience in
teaching because I had no experience in teaching about different aspects of how
teaching about different aspects of how
teaching about different aspects of how to interact with students and all of
to interact with students and all of
to interact with students and all of these things were different aspects that
these things were different aspects that
these things were different aspects that I was trying to learn as much as I
I was trying to learn as much as I
I was trying to learn as much as I possibly could over a very short period
possibly could over a very short period
possibly could over a very short period of time before I started teaching my
of time before I started teaching my
of time before I started teaching my very first class and one of the was
very first class and one of the was
very first class and one of the was really weird moments when I started
really weird moments when I started
really weird moments when I started reading a journal called The Economist
reading a journal called The Economist
reading a journal called The Economist was a talk that or sorry an article that
was a talk that or sorry an article that
was a talk that or sorry an article that was put out there that suggested that
was put out there that suggested that
was put out there that suggested that there was a a CEO of a company who
there was a a CEO of a company who
there was a a CEO of a company who wanted to revolutionize laundry
wanted to revolutionize laundry
wanted to revolutionize laundry detergent i sat there thinking if this
detergent i sat there thinking if this
detergent i sat there thinking if this guy wants to change the way in which
guy wants to change the way in which
guy wants to change the way in which laundry detergent is being sold and he
laundry detergent is being sold and he
laundry detergent is being sold and he wants to make the best laundry detergent
wants to make the best laundry detergent
wants to make the best laundry detergent of all time why can’t I do the exact
of all time why can’t I do the exact
of all time why can’t I do the exact same thing with teaching and learning
same thing with teaching and learning
same thing with teaching and learning why can’t I think right from the get-go
why can’t I think right from the get-go
why can’t I think right from the get-go of trying to revolutionize the way that
of trying to revolutionize the way that
of trying to revolutionize the way that teaching and learning works here at the
teaching and learning works here at the
teaching and learning works here at the University of Toronto how can I
University of Toronto how can I
University of Toronto how can I improve the experience that
improve the experience that
improve the experience that undergraduate students have here at the
undergraduate students have here at the
undergraduate students have here at the University and that was sort of the
University and that was sort of the
University and that was sort of the philosophy that I had that I was going
philosophy that I had that I was going
philosophy that I had that I was going to come in and I was going to use the
to come in and I was going to use the
to come in and I was going to use the same principles of working long hours
same principles of working long hours
same principles of working long hours and trying to get the best possible
and trying to get the best possible
and trying to get the best possible lectures that I could and that’s what I
lectures that I could and that’s what I
lectures that I could and that’s what I worked on for two years I spent all this
worked on for two years I spent all this
worked on for two years I spent all this time in an effort and effort 20 hours a
time in an effort and effort 20 hours a
time in an effort and effort 20 hours a day in some cases trying to develop the
day in some cases trying to develop the
day in some cases trying to develop the best lecture slides that I could trying
best lecture slides that I could trying
best lecture slides that I could trying to figure out how to engage students the
to figure out how to engage students the
to figure out how to engage students the best that I could
best that I could
best that I could trying to figure out through student
trying to figure out through student
trying to figure out through student evaluations how I was doing how I could
evaluations how I was doing how I could
evaluations how I was doing how I could get better and all of these things were
get better and all of these things were
get better and all of these things were related to chasing after this ideal of
related to chasing after this ideal of
related to chasing after this ideal of this laundry detergent and making the a
this laundry detergent and making the a
this laundry detergent and making the a new type of lecture and I think that
new type of lecture and I think that
new type of lecture and I think that overall in the long run when I look back
overall in the long run when I look back
overall in the long run when I look back at that particular phase of my teaching
at that particular phase of my teaching
at that particular phase of my teaching career is one of those things where I
career is one of those things where I
career is one of those things where I was really chasing after numbers and it
was really chasing after numbers and it
was really chasing after numbers and it was really one of those things where I
was really one of those things where I
was really one of those things where I was trying to be the best at something
was trying to be the best at something
was trying to be the best at something for all the wrong reasons and I was
for all the wrong reasons and I was
for all the wrong reasons and I was trying to be the best not for the sake
trying to be the best not for the sake
trying to be the best not for the sake of the students but really for the sake
of the students but really for the sake
of the students but really for the sake of the numbers that were coming back
of the numbers that were coming back
of the numbers that were coming back related to how effective I was as as a
related to how effective I was as as a
related to how effective I was as as a teacher and it was one of those things
teacher and it was one of those things
teacher and it was one of those things that when I got those numbers if I was a
that when I got those numbers if I was a
that when I got those numbers if I was a laundry detergent you could actually see
laundry detergent you could actually see
laundry detergent you could actually see this really large bubble that was kind
this really large bubble that was kind
this really large bubble that was kind of forming and was floating up and I was
of forming and was floating up and I was
of forming and was floating up and I was getting more and more full of myself in
getting more and more full of myself in
getting more and more full of myself in terms of what I was doing
terms of what I was doing
terms of what I was doing developing just lectures and not really
developing just lectures and not really
developing just lectures and not really thinking too much beyond the lecturing
thinking too much beyond the lecturing
thinking too much beyond the lecturing and one of those some watershed moments
and one of those some watershed moments
and one of those some watershed moments happen when I ran into one of my
happen when I ran into one of my
happen when I ran into one of my students and I had this one student this
students and I had this one student this
students and I had this one student this one year and she was a brilliant student
one year and she was a brilliant student
one year and she was a brilliant student so she’s gone on to do some amazing
so she’s gone on to do some amazing
so she’s gone on to do some amazing things and this one student I remember
things and this one student I remember
things and this one student I remember she came to office hours
she came to office hours
she came to office hours she was spectacular she had like almost
she was spectacular she had like almost
she was spectacular she had like almost a hundred percent average going into the
a hundred percent average going into the
a hundred percent average going into the final exam on the very final exam one of
final exam on the very final exam one of
final exam on the very final exam one of the things that happened was that she
the things that happened was that she
the things that happened was that she had a panic attack and she had never had
had a panic attack and she had never had
had a panic attack and she had never had one before I could see her tear drops
one before I could see her tear drops
one before I could see her tear drops welling up because I was sitting right
welling up because I was sitting right
welling up because I was sitting right in front of her watching her take this
in front of her watching her take this
in front of her watching her take this exam and I could see that she was going
exam and I could see that she was going
exam and I could see that she was going to cry and she did cry she had a
to cry and she did cry she had a
to cry and she did cry she had a breakdown and this best student my
breakdown and this best student my
breakdown and this best student my favorite student of that year where I
favorite student of that year where I
favorite student of that year where I expected nothing to go wrong where she
expected nothing to go wrong where she
expected nothing to go wrong where she knew and I knew that
knew and I knew that
knew and I knew that she was going to end up with the best
she was going to end up with the best
she was going to end up with the best mark in the course because she had done
mark in the course because she had done
mark in the course because she had done incredibly well was breaking down before
incredibly well was breaking down before
incredibly well was breaking down before my very eyes this is not what I had
my very eyes this is not what I had
my very eyes this is not what I had wanted to do as a teacher at all this is
wanted to do as a teacher at all this is
wanted to do as a teacher at all this is not something that I expected from my
not something that I expected from my
not something that I expected from my student and I asked her after like what
student and I asked her after like what
student and I asked her after like what was going on through her mind and she
was going on through her mind and she
was going on through her mind and she simply stressed out and she was
simply stressed out and she was
simply stressed out and she was panicking on the spot and she was having
panicking on the spot and she was having
panicking on the spot and she was having this breakdown that she’s never had
this breakdown that she’s never had
this breakdown that she’s never had since then but my test had really evoked
since then but my test had really evoked
since then but my test had really evoked this type of stress in her I also had an
this type of stress in her I also had an
this type of stress in her I also had an opportunity to speak
opportunity to speak
opportunity to speak not long after with a different student
not long after with a different student
not long after with a different student and again because of the way in which I
and again because of the way in which I
and again because of the way in which I was trying to be the best possible
was trying to be the best possible
was trying to be the best possible detergent where I was trying to make the
detergent where I was trying to make the
detergent where I was trying to make the best possible product rather than
best possible product rather than
best possible product rather than worrying about other things I ran into a
worrying about other things I ran into a
worrying about other things I ran into a student and I was expecting all sorts of
student and I was expecting all sorts of
student and I was expecting all sorts of praise back from the students the
praise back from the students the
praise back from the students the student to tell me things like wow you
student to tell me things like wow you
student to tell me things like wow you prepare this really well for this
prepare this really well for this
prepare this really well for this examine that you were a really effective
examine that you were a really effective
examine that you were a really effective teacher and all these platitudes that I
teacher and all these platitudes that I
teacher and all these platitudes that I was expecting back the first thing that
was expecting back the first thing that
was expecting back the first thing that the student asked me was you you
the student asked me was you you
the student asked me was you you actually don’t know who I am do you
actually don’t know who I am do you
actually don’t know who I am do you I thought a lot about that and I said
I thought a lot about that and I said
I thought a lot about that and I said well I know you’re in my class but you
well I know you’re in my class but you
well I know you’re in my class but you don’t know my name and I said no I have
don’t know my name and I said no I have
don’t know my name and I said no I have to apologise I don’t know your name at
to apologise I don’t know your name at
to apologise I don’t know your name at all and I was thinking back to my own
all and I was thinking back to my own
all and I was thinking back to my own experience as an undergrad at that
experience as an undergrad at that
experience as an undergrad at that precise moment and as she walked away
precise moment and as she walked away
precise moment and as she walked away the student happened to turn back and
the student happened to turn back and
the student happened to turn back and say you know dr. Zhu I know you’re a
say you know dr. Zhu I know you’re a
say you know dr. Zhu I know you’re a really good lecturer and I know that you
really good lecturer and I know that you
really good lecturer and I know that you try really hard but I think that
try really hard but I think that
try really hard but I think that sometimes it must be really nice for you
sometimes it must be really nice for you
sometimes it must be really nice for you to live your life with with these
to live your life with with these
to live your life with with these blinders on that sometimes students have
blinders on that sometimes students have
blinders on that sometimes students have a lot of other things going on and it’s
a lot of other things going on and it’s
a lot of other things going on and it’s not just the lectures that you should be
not just the lectures that you should be
not just the lectures that you should be worried about it’s the other aspects of
worried about it’s the other aspects of
worried about it’s the other aspects of what the student experience is that got
what the student experience is that got
what the student experience is that got me to thinking awful lot and I know that
me to thinking awful lot and I know that
me to thinking awful lot and I know that right now in terms of the university
right now in terms of the university
right now in terms of the university experience mental health is a really big
experience mental health is a really big
experience mental health is a really big concern mental health is not just a
concern mental health is not just a
concern mental health is not just a concern here at this university it’s a
concern here at this university it’s a
concern here at this university it’s a it’s a concern overall and it’s
it’s a concern overall and it’s
it’s a concern overall and it’s something that we hear a lot about in
something that we hear a lot about in
something that we hear a lot about in the news media we hear a lot about it in
the news media we hear a lot about it in
the news media we hear a lot about it in different meetings that we go to and the
different meetings that we go to and the
different meetings that we go to and the reality is most of the time when we’re
reality is most of the time when we’re
reality is most of the time when we’re thinking about mental health issues we
thinking about mental health issues we
thinking about mental health issues we actually leave it to other people we
actually leave it to other people we
actually leave it to other people we don’t really think about is our class is
don’t really think about is our class is
don’t really think about is our class is my course is my teaching style is the
my course is my teaching style is the
my course is my teaching style is the type of tests that I do is that actually
type of tests that I do is that actually
type of tests that I do is that actually stressing out the student and actually
stressing out the student and actually
stressing out the student and actually distributing to their mental health
distributing to their mental health
distributing to their mental health disorder and I think that these are the
disorder and I think that these are the
disorder and I think that these are the types of wake-up calls that he started
types of wake-up calls that he started
types of wake-up calls that he started to have the other thing that also
to have the other thing that also
to have the other thing that also happened around the same time was this
happened around the same time was this
happened around the same time was this experience that I had with my wife it’s
experience that I had with my wife it’s
experience that I had with my wife it’s not that type of experience by the way
not that type of experience by the way
not that type of experience by the way but it was it was also like a really
but it was it was also like a really
but it was it was also like a really mind-altering experience in a very
mind-altering experience in a very
mind-altering experience in a very different way one of the things that I
different way one of the things that I
different way one of the things that I did because my wife is a professional
did because my wife is a professional
did because my wife is a professional cook I don’t usually do a lot of the
cook I don’t usually do a lot of the
cook I don’t usually do a lot of the cooking but I decided that for that one
cooking but I decided that for that one
cooking but I decided that for that one particular day I would actually go out
particular day I would actually go out
particular day I would actually go out yet the recipes start to get all of the
yet the recipes start to get all of the
yet the recipes start to get all of the different ingredients and I started to
different ingredients and I started to
different ingredients and I started to actually put them all together and then
actually put them all together and then
actually put them all together and then I followed the recipe to a tee and I
I followed the recipe to a tee and I
I followed the recipe to a tee and I invited my wife to sample what I had
invited my wife to sample what I had
invited my wife to sample what I had just cooked for her and one of the
just cooked for her and one of the
just cooked for her and one of the things that then she told me was you
things that then she told me was you
things that then she told me was you know actually I’m kind of surprised that
know actually I’m kind of surprised that
know actually I’m kind of surprised that you cooked number one and number two I’m
you cooked number one and number two I’m
you cooked number one and number two I’m actually you know that I actually don’t
actually you know that I actually don’t
actually you know that I actually don’t like this type of food right because I
like this type of food right because I
like this type of food right because I had gone out and I created something
had gone out and I created something
had gone out and I created something that I liked not something that my wife
that I liked not something that my wife
that I liked not something that my wife light and I hadn’t really thought about
light and I hadn’t really thought about
light and I hadn’t really thought about that I was just concentrating really on
that I was just concentrating really on
that I was just concentrating really on just getting the best possible recipe
just getting the best possible recipe
just getting the best possible recipe together and cooking the best possible
together and cooking the best possible
together and cooking the best possible thing that I could and I was not really
thing that I could and I was not really
thing that I could and I was not really concerned as much with what my wife
concerned as much with what my wife
concerned as much with what my wife might enjoy so all of these different
might enjoy so all of these different
might enjoy so all of these different types of things were kind of coalescing
types of things were kind of coalescing
types of things were kind of coalescing in my mind so it’s not just about making
in my mind so it’s not just about making
in my mind so it’s not just about making good looking slides it’s not just about
good looking slides it’s not just about
good looking slides it’s not just about trying to be an effective teacher it’s
trying to be an effective teacher it’s
trying to be an effective teacher it’s not just about trying to make sure that
not just about trying to make sure that
not just about trying to make sure that my lectures are delivered on time and
my lectures are delivered on time and
my lectures are delivered on time and that all these professional things are
that all these professional things are
that all these professional things are being checked off on a list so I had all
being checked off on a list so I had all
being checked off on a list so I had all these different things that I was kind
these different things that I was kind
these different things that I was kind of mulling over so I had things related
of mulling over so I had things related
of mulling over so I had things related to how do I get students to actually
to how do I get students to actually
to how do I get students to actually feel like they’re connected with me
feel like they’re connected with me
feel like they’re connected with me because that one student who said that I
because that one student who said that I
because that one student who said that I didn’t know her name actually really
didn’t know her name actually really
didn’t know her name actually really bothered me it still bothers me to this
bothered me it still bothers me to this
bothered me it still bothers me to this day that that student I still don’t know
day that that student I still don’t know
day that that student I still don’t know her name and it really still bothers me
her name and it really still bothers me
her name and it really still bothers me and I have to say that since that time
and I have to say that since that time
and I have to say that since that time and I’ve given a lot of thought to this
and I’ve given a lot of thought to this
and I’ve given a lot of thought to this you know am I really doing this for the
you know am I really doing this for the
you know am I really doing this for the students that’s why while I was really
students that’s why while I was really
students that’s why while I was really hired to come here to come back and
hired to come here to come back and
hired to come here to come back and teach is to use my knowledge of learning
teach is to use my knowledge of learning
teach is to use my knowledge of learning and memory and all of the different
and memory and all of the different
and memory and all of the different aspects of neurophysiology and
aspects of neurophysiology and
aspects of neurophysiology and neurologic that I’ve gained over the
neurologic that I’ve gained over the
neurologic that I’ve gained over the past few years not just to deliver a
past few years not just to deliver a
past few years not just to deliver a really solid product but to really
really solid product but to really
really solid product but to really enhance learning and and am I doing that
enhance learning and and am I doing that
enhance learning and and am I doing that am I actually getting to reduce stress
am I actually getting to reduce stress
am I actually getting to reduce stress because stress as you can see on this
because stress as you can see on this
because stress as you can see on this particular graph on the right Ashley has
particular graph on the right Ashley has
particular graph on the right Ashley has a very profound impact on learning and
a very profound impact on learning and
a very profound impact on learning and memory and I know that as a
memory and I know that as a
memory and I know that as a neurobiologist the more stress that you
neurobiologist the more stress that you
neurobiologist the more stress that you have the worse that your memory
have the worse that your memory
have the worse that your memory performance is going to be and when
performance is going to be and when
performance is going to be and when you’re coming into a test and it’s a
you’re coming into a test and it’s a
you’re coming into a test and it’s a stressful situation just like with my
stressful situation just like with my
stressful situation just like with my student you may actually find that that
student you may actually find that that
student you may actually find that that stress level is going to be something
stress level is going to be something
stress level is going to be something that causes you to have a panic attack
that causes you to have a panic attack
that causes you to have a panic attack or a panic disorder and in fact what
or a panic disorder and in fact what
or a panic disorder and in fact what we’re really teaching you is that is the
we’re really teaching you is that is the
we’re really teaching you is that is the graph here on the Left which is showing
graph here on the Left which is showing
graph here on the Left which is showing you that in in stressful situations all
you that in in stressful situations all
you that in in stressful situations all you remember is the fearful response
you remember is the fearful response
you remember is the fearful response that’s associated with it we’re actually
that’s associated with it we’re actually
that’s associated with it we’re actually teaching you about post-traumatic stress
teaching you about post-traumatic stress
teaching you about post-traumatic stress disorder in in a lot of ways in the ways
disorder in in a lot of ways in the ways
disorder in in a lot of ways in the ways that we’re teaching the other thing that
that we’re teaching the other thing that
that we’re teaching the other thing that I knew from my own time here as well as
I knew from my own time here as well as
I knew from my own time here as well as in dealing with stress is that stress
in dealing with stress is that stress
in dealing with stress is that stress often leads to isolation and if you’re
often leads to isolation and if you’re
often leads to isolation and if you’re already isolated which is again one of
already isolated which is again one of
already isolated which is again one of those things that happens in the
those things that happens in the
those things that happens in the university I love these types of
university I love these types of
university I love these types of pictures by the way the pictures that
pictures by the way the pictures that
pictures by the way the pictures that the university uses to get students to
the university uses to get students to
the university uses to get students to come here it really looks fantastic that
come here it really looks fantastic that
come here it really looks fantastic that you know they’re they’re happy people
you know they’re they’re happy people
you know they’re they’re happy people collaborating and working around a
collaborating and working around a
collaborating and working around a particular computer on a particular
particular computer on a particular
particular computer on a particular project but the reality is when you’re
project but the reality is when you’re
project but the reality is when you’re here at the University you don’t get
here at the University you don’t get
here at the University you don’t get these types of happy experiences most of
these types of happy experiences most of
these types of happy experiences most of the time
the time
the time and again when you’re dealing with
and again when you’re dealing with
and again when you’re dealing with stress and you’re isolated and you’re
stress and you’re isolated and you’re
stress and you’re isolated and you’re not having all of these supports that
not having all of these supports that
not having all of these supports that you see here in this picture and you’re
you see here in this picture and you’re
you see here in this picture and you’re in this really large room similar to the
in this really large room similar to the
in this really large room similar to the type of room that you’re in you’re now
type of room that you’re in you’re now
type of room that you’re in you’re now and you have this guy who’s giving this
and you have this guy who’s giving this
and you have this guy who’s giving this really amazing talk because he’s put
really amazing talk because he’s put
really amazing talk because he’s put together some really amazing slides and
together some really amazing slides and
together some really amazing slides and animations everyone in the audience is
animations everyone in the audience is
animations everyone in the audience is thinking about all sorts of different
thinking about all sorts of different
thinking about all sorts of different things you’re thinking about why this
things you’re thinking about why this
things you’re thinking about why this guy is talking the way that he is or
guy is talking the way that he is or
guy is talking the way that he is or you’re thinking about what you’re going
you’re thinking about what you’re going
you’re thinking about what you’re going to have for lunch and you’re even if
to have for lunch and you’re even if
to have for lunch and you’re even if you’re in this room with a whole bunch
you’re in this room with a whole bunch
you’re in this room with a whole bunch of other people actually you’re going to
of other people actually you’re going to
of other people actually you’re going to be pretty isolated because your
be pretty isolated because your
be pretty isolated because your individual your your put into these
individual your your put into these
individual your your put into these individual components where you’re not
individual components where you’re not
individual components where you’re not really interacting with each other
really interacting with each other
really interacting with each other you’re trying to pay attention to what’s
you’re trying to pay attention to what’s
you’re trying to pay attention to what’s going on in the actual lecture and all
going on in the actual lecture and all
going on in the actual lecture and all of these things bothered me it bothered
of these things bothered me it bothered
of these things bothered me it bothered me to a great extent so how do I
me to a great extent so how do I
me to a great extent so how do I actually deal with mental health issues
actually deal with mental health issues
actually deal with mental health issues how do I actually reduce stress because
how do I actually reduce stress because
how do I actually reduce stress because the longer you experience stress for and
the longer you experience stress for and
the longer you experience stress for and the more you feel that you’re isolated
the more you feel that you’re isolated
the more you feel that you’re isolated which is a form of stress in itself the
which is a form of stress in itself the
which is a form of stress in itself the more likely that you are going to have a
more likely that you are going to have a
more likely that you are going to have a mental health disorder which leads back
mental health disorder which leads back
mental health disorder which leads back to more stress the more that is quite
to more stress the more that is quite
to more stress the more that is quite the impact on your learning and memory
the impact on your learning and memory
the impact on your learning and memory while you’re here at the University and
while you’re here at the University and
while you’re here at the University and it wasn’t until I went to a meeting
it wasn’t until I went to a meeting
it wasn’t until I went to a meeting where one of the administrators actually
where one of the administrators actually
where one of the administrators actually said you know don’t bother sending out
said you know don’t bother sending out
said you know don’t bother sending out emails to your students because students
emails to your students because students
emails to your students because students nowadays actually don’t bother with
nowadays actually don’t bother with
nowadays actually don’t bother with email they’re actually more likely if
email they’re actually more likely if
email they’re actually more likely if you try to engage them either on a
you try to engage them either on a
you try to engage them either on a website or through social media etc and
website or through social media etc and
website or through social media etc and that’s how they’re gaining their
that’s how they’re gaining their
that’s how they’re gaining their information I had no idea what they were
information I had no idea what they were
information I had no idea what they were talking about to be honest I had no idea
talking about to be honest I had no idea
talking about to be honest I had no idea what social media actually represented
what social media actually represented
what social media actually represented but I thought that it would be a really
but I thought that it would be a really
but I thought that it would be a really good idea if students were already
good idea if students were already
good idea if students were already learning online interacting with each
learning online interacting with each
learning online interacting with each other developing social networks online
other developing social networks online
other developing social networks online that it was have to be something that I
that it was have to be something that I
that it was have to be something that I would have to go and take a look at and
would have to go and take a look at and
would have to go and take a look at and it was one of those i opening moments
it was one of those i opening moments
it was one of those i opening moments again where i had a student who came in
again where i had a student who came in
again where i had a student who came in and asked me if she could add me as a
and asked me if she could add me as a
and asked me if she could add me as a friend on facebook actually had no idea
friend on facebook actually had no idea
friend on facebook actually had no idea what facebook was number one and number
what facebook was number one and number
what facebook was number one and number two i didn’t really know if i want it to
two i didn’t really know if i want it to
two i didn’t really know if i want it to be this student’s friend
be this student’s friend
be this student’s friend in the in the long run though in the
in the in the long run though in the
in the in the long run though in the long run I decided that I would ask her
long run I decided that I would ask her
long run I decided that I would ask her and she did help me to set up a Facebook
and she did help me to set up a Facebook
and she did help me to set up a Facebook account I was her very first friend I
account I was her very first friend I
account I was her very first friend I was I was she was my only friend for
was I was she was my only friend for
was I was she was my only friend for about a year and as we went along one of
about a year and as we went along one of
about a year and as we went along one of the things that I spared was I could
the things that I spared was I could
the things that I spared was I could actually interact with students they
actually interact with students they
actually interact with students they could understand what I was going to say
could understand what I was going to say
could understand what I was going to say to them in class where I can engage them
to them in class where I can engage them
to them in class where I can engage them outside of the class I could make
outside of the class I could make
outside of the class I could make different opportunities available to
different opportunities available to
different opportunities available to them even before class started to
them even before class started to
them even before class started to arrange different types of work or
arrange different types of work or
arrange different types of work or research experiences sets etc and all of
research experiences sets etc and all of
research experiences sets etc and all of these different types of experiences
these different types of experiences
these different types of experiences kind of led students to feel a little
kind of led students to feel a little
kind of led students to feel a little bit less isolated there’s also one of
bit less isolated there’s also one of
bit less isolated there’s also one of those things where I looked at how I
those things where I looked at how I
those things where I looked at how I could use different forms of social
could use different forms of social
could use different forms of social media to actually use it as an effective
media to actually use it as an effective
media to actually use it as an effective tool for learning and one of those
tool for learning and one of those
tool for learning and one of those things that I started to do was to
things that I started to do was to
things that I started to do was to actually stream some of my lectures
actually stream some of my lectures
actually stream some of my lectures directly over Facebook or other forms of
directly over Facebook or other forms of
directly over Facebook or other forms of social media I didn’t really care where
social media I didn’t really care where
social media I didn’t really care where students were actually learning to me it
students were actually learning to me it
students were actually learning to me it was more important that students were
was more important that students were
was more important that students were learning I didn’t really care if it was
learning I didn’t really care if it was
learning I didn’t really care if it was a really low low budget type of
a really low low budget type of
a really low low budget type of chalkboard talk that I was giving as
chalkboard talk that I was giving as
chalkboard talk that I was giving as long as students had equal access to it
long as students had equal access to it
long as students had equal access to it as long as there was good conversation
as long as there was good conversation
as long as there was good conversation about different aspects of the course as
about different aspects of the course as
about different aspects of the course as long as students were communicating with
long as students were communicating with
long as students were communicating with each other no longer feeling isolated
each other no longer feeling isolated
each other no longer feeling isolated this was the type of learning experience
this was the type of learning experience
this was the type of learning experience that I had wanted when I was an
that I had wanted when I was an
that I had wanted when I was an undergrad that I wanted to use these new
undergrad that I wanted to use these new
undergrad that I wanted to use these new developing tools to actually engage
developing tools to actually engage
developing tools to actually engage these students in and for the most part
these students in and for the most part
these students in and for the most part I think that these are the types of
I think that these are the types of
I think that these are the types of things that I would really want to have
things that I would really want to have
things that I would really want to have had when I was when I was an
had when I was when I was an
had when I was when I was an undergraduate student here I also try as
undergraduate student here I also try as
undergraduate student here I also try as much as possible because I know students
much as possible because I know students
much as possible because I know students now have very very different needs than
now have very very different needs than
now have very very different needs than back in 2011 I asked students on a
back in 2011 I asked students on a
back in 2011 I asked students on a routine basis at the very beginning of
routine basis at the very beginning of
routine basis at the very beginning of the school year what are the biggest
the school year what are the biggest
the school year what are the biggest challenges for you there that you have
challenges for you there that you have
challenges for you there that you have coming into my class how can I get you
coming into my class how can I get you
coming into my class how can I get you to come and see me if you need to come
to come and see me if you need to come
to come and see me if you need to come and see me how do you interact with me
and see me how do you interact with me
and see me how do you interact with me and how can I communicate more
and how can I communicate more
and how can I communicate more effectively with you and I think that
effectively with you and I think that
effectively with you and I think that one of the things that students said
one of the things that students said
one of the things that students said that it’s it’s often very very DIF
that it’s it’s often very very DIF
that it’s it’s often very very DIF to actually get everything down in
to actually get everything down in
to actually get everything down in lectures so that’s a form of stress and
lectures so that’s a form of stress and
lectures so that’s a form of stress and it’s also really stressful for students
it’s also really stressful for students
it’s also really stressful for students to not feel like they’ve missed the
to not feel like they’ve missed the
to not feel like they’ve missed the lecture and they don’t know someone in
lecture and they don’t know someone in
lecture and they don’t know someone in class to be able to have access to that
class to be able to have access to that
class to be able to have access to that lecture and I think that one of the
lecture and I think that one of the
lecture and I think that one of the things that we can do as educators is to
things that we can do as educators is to
things that we can do as educators is to really think a little bit about how
really think a little bit about how
really think a little bit about how we’re actually not worrying so much
we’re actually not worrying so much
we’re actually not worrying so much about what we want to deliver in terms
about what we want to deliver in terms
about what we want to deliver in terms of content but how to make the student
of content but how to make the student
of content but how to make the student experience in terms of learning the key
experience in terms of learning the key
experience in terms of learning the key and central point to what we’re trying
and central point to what we’re trying
and central point to what we’re trying to do here at the University and I think
to do here at the University and I think
to do here at the University and I think the last thing that I’d like to mention
the last thing that I’d like to mention
the last thing that I’d like to mention as well we know that students also have
as well we know that students also have
as well we know that students also have a number of different and diverse
a number of different and diverse
a number of different and diverse learning styles and we have to be very
learning styles and we have to be very
learning styles and we have to be very very flexible in our approach to this
very flexible in our approach to this
very flexible in our approach to this not just providing them with different
not just providing them with different
not just providing them with different types of assets but also being being
types of assets but also being being
types of assets but also being being able to give them differentiated
able to give them differentiated
able to give them differentiated learning and I have a fairly large class
learning and I have a fairly large class
learning and I have a fairly large class but in that large class some students
but in that large class some students
but in that large class some students will be really good at different types
will be really good at different types
will be really good at different types of tests some students will be really
of tests some students will be really
of tests some students will be really good at different types of assignments
good at different types of assignments
good at different types of assignments and it’s up to us to make sure that we
and it’s up to us to make sure that we
and it’s up to us to make sure that we provide them with enough flexibility
provide them with enough flexibility
provide them with enough flexibility that they feel like they’ve actually
that they feel like they’ve actually
that they feel like they’ve actually been able to demonstrate that what
been able to demonstrate that what
been able to demonstrate that what they’ve learned is something that
they’ve learned is something that
they’ve learned is something that they’re being evaluated on effectively
they’re being evaluated on effectively
they’re being evaluated on effectively and it’s challenging and I’m going to
and it’s challenging and I’m going to
and it’s challenging and I’m going to leave you with my own challenge to you
leave you with my own challenge to you
leave you with my own challenge to you as well so in my life I’ve undergone a
as well so in my life I’ve undergone a
as well so in my life I’ve undergone a lot of different changes and I think
lot of different changes and I think
lot of different changes and I think that one of the things that I’ve
that one of the things that I’ve
that one of the things that I’ve realized is that if you’re going to try
realized is that if you’re going to try
realized is that if you’re going to try to make changes that these types of
to make changes that these types of
to make changes that these types of things don’t occur overnight and a lot
things don’t occur overnight and a lot
things don’t occur overnight and a lot of times we need a lot of insight we
of times we need a lot of insight we
of times we need a lot of insight we need help we need feedback from the
need help we need feedback from the
need help we need feedback from the people that we’re trying to work with or
people that we’re trying to work with or
people that we’re trying to work with or work for and I think that those types of
work for and I think that those types of
work for and I think that those types of communications are ones that we’re not
communications are ones that we’re not
communications are ones that we’re not really that great at and I’m hoping that
really that great at and I’m hoping that
really that great at and I’m hoping that whatever you feel that you’re in
whatever you feel that you’re in
whatever you feel that you’re in wherever field where you want to be like
wherever field where you want to be like
wherever field where you want to be like the best possible detergent maker of all
the best possible detergent maker of all
the best possible detergent maker of all time that you’re going to go out and
time that you’re going to go out and
time that you’re going to go out and maybe rethink the way in which you’re
maybe rethink the way in which you’re
maybe rethink the way in which you’re doing things is it really to make the
doing things is it really to make the
doing things is it really to make the best laundry detergent or is it really
best laundry detergent or is it really
best laundry detergent or is it really to make someone feel better about the
to make someone feel better about the
to make someone feel better about the clothes that they’re wearing and I’ll
clothes that they’re wearing and I’ll
clothes that they’re wearing and I’ll kind of leave you with that thank you
kind of leave you with that thank you
kind of leave you with that thank you very much
very much
very much [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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