Eucalyptus Trees

This video was awesome because it targets more of the mental aspect of the students rather than just the student.  Her quote " the brain cannot heal without positive emotion- McGonigal" is the direction I am heading in my research.  When students feel positive about something they are doing then they will do the best at it.

She brings up her within video games anything is possible views again and I completely agree.  In my games I feel powerful because I am playing this character that can do all of these amazing things that I normally can't do.  However, McGonigal would say that we can do just as many amazing things in real life.

I really liked her idea of a secret identity to overcome an obstacle.  She used it to help her cope with her head trauma but I can see this being applied in the classroom.  If your students are having trouble in a subject give them the chance to make up a personality that doesn't.  Like SuperDude doesn't have trouble in math and I am him right now.  Give them that confidence in themselves and it's all it really takes.

Social Social Social, these are the things that McGonigal love about gaming.  It's true, being a gamer can help you be social because it puts you into situation that you need to be social.  In this situation you will make allies that are there to help you.  Show your students they have these allies and allow them to find strength in them and have them help them out in tough situations.  Learning isn't meant to be an individual thing, so don't let it be.

Her final quote was probably my favorite.  "Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional-McGonigal".  Your students are humans, they will feel pain.  You are human, you will feel pain.  This is where you need to be real and transparent with your students.  Show them you can hurt like them and how you deal with it.  Give your students a person they can rely on to help them, not only in you but their fellow students.  Again we are all in this together, so let's act like it.