‘COURSE BUDDY’ – 30 day challenge

A proposal for undergraduate students to engage in a daily peer to peer course specific academic intervention to enhance their course focus, commitment and effort.

Sean Paul Abrahams, M. Ed (UCT)

www.studentofpotential.com

Biography

Sean Paul Abrahams is the current International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) regional representative for the Positive Education Division on the African Continent. He is based at the University of Cape Town, South Africa in the Department of Student Affairs, Residence Life Division in work that blends a combination of research and a practitioner based approach to learning interventions. 

His Positive Psychology research and interest areas include, Hope, Grit, Flourishing and Inspiration within a Higher Education and Residence Context. He has published several books on student development in the areas of Purpose, Vision, Motivation, Discipline, and Focus. Currently he is working on a Ph.D. which critically examines the role of Grit in a South African Higher Education Context. 

Over the last three years Sean has collaborated with International, New York Times Best Selling Author Professor Gabriele Oettingen (author of Rethinking Positive Thinking) which has led to the very first African Translations of the Woop Strategy, a problem solving mental tool for students now translated into isiXhosa, isiZulu and Afrikaans. Sean is also the founder of www.studentofpotential.com

Access to key UCT press release article can be found here: 

https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-05-19-woop-app-now-in-isixhosa-first-african-translation

Framework and Engagement

It is proposed that a Course Buddy Program be introduced and offered to your course in which registered students of your course are invited to sign up to participate in a 30 day self – selected course specific goal challenge. 

During this challenge students choose a course related goal of personal preference and have 30 days to make progress towards it or actualize it and share that journey with another ‘Course Buddy’ also registered for the same course, on a daily basis for 30 consecutive days. Throughout the challenge a Woop framework will be applied. Woop stands for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle and Plan and is backed by research and theory defined as Mental Contrasting through implementation intentions (MCII) (See Oettingen). MCII or Woop evidences that students who anticipate obstacles in advance and consider potential solutions have a greater likelihood of enhanced performance.

Application of Woop

The application of woop will require each Course Buddy to identify one course specific goal and to try and attain it or progress towards it within a 30 day period. They will share that goal with their course buddy with whom they would be paired up and introduced to online. 

On a daily basis each Course Buddy would arrange to connect online in an agreed way and share one single daily course related mini goal, outcome, obstacle and plan to overcome the obstacle for that particular day. Course buddies would first be briefed on how the Woop tool works and how to apply it within the 30 day course challenge. They will also be provided with access to an online free app which has now been translated into IsiXhosa and IsiZulu. 

Rationale

Whilst it is recognized that a range of existing support services and course structures are available not all students will seek to pursue those channels. Creating a flexible option in which students can self – select a course specific goal is a very important. It creates meaningful and regular ways for students of a course to engage and grow with a fellow student on a daily basis in a goal directed way. 

It is also an opportunity to share the academic journey daily with a peer with whom you have got something in common. This type of frequency of engagement is not always sustainable or realistic withing a mentoring or tutoring program. The Course Buddy Program perpetuates itself such that beyond the 30 days it is possible students will be equipped with a new way of engaging throughout the semester through newly formed peer to peer partnerships.

Learning Outcomes

The Course Buddy Program has a set of empirically informed learning outcomes attached to it. These are based upon the well-researched, academically published and internationally recognized framework of Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII). 

Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions

Mental contrasting with implementation intentions (more popularly known as ‘WOOP’) is a well-researched strategy that has been positively associated with increased academic performance and various increased outcomes. The main proponent of this research stems from Professor Oettingen based at the University of Hamburg and an adjunct Professor at the University of New York. The following key empirically based learning outcomes were derived from the WOOP framework and also overseen by Professor Oettingen.

Outcomes

The following key learning outcomes are intended for students participating in the course buddy program.

Identification of a 30 day course specific goal and smaller daily course specific goals that are meaningful, attainable and could stretch students.

1. Regular exploration of the best possible outcomes that could arise from attaining their course specific goal(s).
2. Regular reflection upon anticipated obstacles to attaining the 30 day goal and daily mini goals.
3. Strategizing ways to overcome the obstacle(s) towards the 30 day and mini daily course related goals with solution focused action.

The learning outcomes will be evaluated online at the end of 30 days. Students identity will remain confidential and they would not have to provide any identifying information. Below is the sample evaluation referring to this portion of the learning outcomes

GOAL BUDDY LEARNING OUTCOMES EVALUATION 

Please take the time to complete an evaluation.

• My participation in the Course Buddy Program helped me to identify a 30 day course related goal and daily mini goals that were meaningful, attainable and could stretch me

• My participation in the Course Buddy Program helped me to explore the best possible outcomes that could arise from attaining my goal(s)

• My participation in the Course Buddy Program helped me to reflect upon anticipated obstacles to attaining the 30 day goal and daily mini goals

• My participation in the Course Buddy Program helped me to plan ways to overcome the obstacle(s) with solution focused action

COURSE BUDDY 30 DAY CHALLENGE PROPOSED PROJECT TIMELINE

OBJECTIVE

To launch the Course Buddy program online during the second semester 2021 and offer your students a supportive, peer-to-peer goal focused ecosystem that enables them to complete a self – selected 30 day course related goal.

www.studentofpotential.com

Cost

The cost to implement, coordinate, administrate, communicate and evaluate the Course Buddy Program for interested students of one course over 30 days will be R11,600 (including VAT). There is no limit to the number of students on your course whom can join.

Beyond 30 days – no charge

Should students of your course still wish to maintain the Course Buddy System for the remainder of the semester, capacity and preparedness is offered to sustain that group with daily messaging (should they indicate wanting it) until the end of 2021 when they write their final course related exams. This added daily encouraging messaging provision beyond 30 days is offered free of charge provided you and the students wish for it to continue.

Contact Sean  –  S.p.abrahams@gmail.com

It’s not only a Woman’s Role

During the 80s I was a hands-on dad as I just lost my job it was fun it was exciting and it was damn demanding. But! I learned so much from my children. All my time management skills I owe to them. My two sons, in turn, have become hands-on dads.

Today, however, times have changed, more and more dads have become involved with their children, from pushing prams, bottle feeding and changing diapers. I’m extremely proud of my two sons as they are fantastic with their kids and make it look so simple.

An article in the Daily Mail caught my attention, the title was the “Rise of the hands-on Dads”. According to Sadie Whitlock, she states that the detached dad, turning up his nose at parenting duties, is a myth.

A new government survey was done and found that 3,881 fathers across the U.S. who lived at home with their families between 2006 and 2010. Of the 1,790 men with children aged under five, 90per cent said were hands-on dads and bathed dressed and changed diapers. Seventy-two percent of the dads said that they fed and ate with their children daily.

Eighty-one percent of fathers were engaged in playtime activities but when it came to Reading less than 29% found the time to read to their children. Dad’s with children aged 5 years old to 18 only 30% said they help with homework or checked up on the daily progress.

 Two thirds (65per cent) made an effort to engage in conversation about what had happened in the classroom. The nationally representative survey shows fathers’ involvement has increased slightly since the government first asked in 2002, coinciding with research since then that bolsters the benefits of hands-on fathering.

These new results are very encouraging and important to the child’s development. The more involved dads are with their children’s mental and emotional development the more the child would flourish. Joe Jones a leading researcher found there were more academic success less behavior problems and healthier eating habits.

The more dads became involved in their children’s daily activities their children’s wellbeing was assured. The survey speaks volumes. During the baby boom years, mothers were the nurturers and carers and dads were the breadwinners. 

My Dad would run a mile when it came to feeding time but I will say he told us lots of stories and occasionally read us a story, he normally fell asleep halfway through the story.

As those roles shifted, so did the view that mothers are the only nurturers. Jennifer Bellamy, Sociologist from the University of Chicago  who also studies fathering, said some old stereotypes persist.

I am doing the most important Job in the World.

Dads are sort of the co-pilots in their families,’ absent or less involved than moms. But she said the survey confirms that fathers ‘are quite involved in a variety of different and important ways.

Here is a case study of Robert Loftus, 34, of Yonkers, New York.

He resigned from a six-figure sales job a year ago to care for his two young children while his wife works full time. ‘Times have changed,’ he said. ‘We’re trying to rethink our priorities and family seems to be the “number one” priority whereas in the past maybe people were more focused on career.

He says he is doing the most important job in the world. Don’t underestimate your role as a Dad. Your kids will always need you no matter what age. 

Read my blog on First Time Dad a Personal Journey

Download the Hands on Dad Survey here!

Getting dads involved – Watch Video Below!

Black Friday is coming soon and there are always bargains to be had. There has been a big shift in shopping habits since the COVID-19. It could be a cold Xmas for High Street Shops. It’s been all doom and gloom and Covid-19 is doing its best to put a damper on the Xmas Shopping. Shoppers are carrying on regardless and I suspect Black Friday online sales will be record-breaking.

If you are considering joining an online marketing course instead of spending your money have  a look at one of the top online marketing platforms. Wealthy Affiliate is excellent value for  money and  I highly recommend them because they equipped me with the tools to understand the online world a lot better.

What is Wealthy Affiliate

Wealthy Affiliate was created as an initiative to help other people succeed online in the same way Kyle and Carson had already experienced success. Since 2005, the platform at WA has continued to evolve and innovate at a pace that is faster than the industry.

The Upcoming Black Friday Offer Details.

This year’s Black Friday event at Wealthy Affiliate is running Friday, November 27th, 2020 – Monday November 30th, 2020 at MIDNIGHT.

This year is a bit different. Like previous year’s you are going to be able to get a Premium membership at a big discount. This year however, Wealthy Affiliate has another option available as well. They are also going to be offering a steep discount on r Premium Plus+ bundle, their newly introduced membership option that was released in early November.

Kyle one of the co-founders says. “We are on a mission to keep your costs of running a business the lowest in the industry, while maintaining our lead in the industry and offering the MOST comprehensive, technically advanced, and well support affiliate/internet marketing platform online”.

There are going to be two offers this year.

Premium Yearly Offer ($395 per year)

Premium membership, with $100 saving off of regular price. You are going to get access to EVERYTHING within the Premium membership, the training, 52+ live classes, research tools, the support, websites/hosting, content tools and ALL Premium updates in the year ahead (and we have a bunch of them planned).

The Premium offer includes the following:

1. $100 off the regular price
2. One Free .com Domain
3. $50 in Community Credits
4. 52+ Expert Classes
5. All future Premium updates

Premium Plus+ Yearly Offer ($795 per year)

The Premium Plus+ Bundle is Wealthy Affiliate  newest membership, released in early November. It has already gained a lot of traction, with people blown away by the offering and the overall savings they get. Well it is about to get discounted event further for the Black Friday event.

The Premium Plus+ offer includes:

• • $200 off regular price
  • Two free Domains
  • $100 in community credits
  • Jaaxy Enterprise ($1,188 per year value)
  • Hosting for 50 Websites ($500/mth value)
  • 200+ Additional “Premium Plus+ Only” Expert Classes (can’t put a price on it)

If this post interests You have a look at Wealthy Affiliate’s website  –   Click Here!

If you are interested in the Black Friday Sale Friday, November 27th, 2020 – Monday November 30th, 2020 at MIDNIGHT.

Click Here!

Thanks for Your Time!

Richard

Is Black Friday 2020 cancelled? No, but here’s how COVID-19 changes it

Discounts still abound, but you should really just shop online this year. Read here !

One Man’s Trash is another Man’s Treasure

Internet revellers looking for a bargain found the most disgusting items for sale from online toenails to furniture that should have been tossed into a bonfire. One newspaper source reported:

• A new series of photos reveals the strangest bargains once found online
• Some people tried to sell extremely damaged goods such as a shabby armchair deemed ‘in OK condition’ and beat-up sandals going for $60
• Another seller posted a stunningly creepy ad for fingernail clippings, carefully arranged into a smiley face in one picture
• Someone attempted to sell what was presented as Ugg boots that are ‘a little rough around the edges’, with a hole so big the person’s toes are poking through

Quite frankly this not my idea of bagging a bargain there are better and reliable ways of finding a bargain.

I love the Black Friday Sales on Amazon because I can go shopping for the family and get a massive discount on products 

So what is a Black Friday Sale?

Black Friday is a tradition that falls after Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Its a fairly new shopping experience in Europe.

Shops compete against each other to get you the best deals, and frantic shoppers bumping into each other to get their bargains into one of their six trolleys. 

Black Friday is a shopping day for a number of reasons. Its a reminder of the chaotic Xmas shopping season. Imagine!

The thrill of getting a bargain, You just bought your wife a mink coat at a fraction of the price. Or a diamond bracelet she was hinting at for months.

Oh! yes, and don’t forget those Gucci shoes you promised yourself for ages. Black Friday deals are normally promoted across the States and the UK, by all major retailers with Amazon being the biggest online store. 

No doubt there will be plenty of bargains so make sure you are acquainted with the drill for Black Friday 27th  November 2020

 Top 15 shopping tips for Black Friday Deals (Which Magazine)

1. Preparation is the key to Black Friday

If you know what’s going to be on sale beforehand, it’s easier to check if it’s a good offer or not. Sign up for your favourite retailers’ newsletters, ‘like’ their Facebook pages and register for Twitter alerts, as they’ll be keen to publicise their best deals.

2. Find out whether retailers will match prices

Some retailers, such as John Lewis, will match prices on Black Friday deals (but usually not with online-only stores, such as Amazon or AO.com). This means that you can do most of your shopping with just one retailer, which can make life a lot easier. 

Most other shops don’t have price-matching policies but may agree to refund the difference if you challenge them about a price drop soon after you’ve bought something. Read more…….

Check out the Amazon Black Friday Deals 

You may bag a bargain on Amazon for kids clothing and toys. Black Friday seems like a perfect time to kit out the kids and buy the Xmas presents for the kids.

Just make sure you hide it in a bank vault as kids have a nose for sniffing out hiding places. My children always knew our hiding places.  I got wise and asked a neighbour to hide their presents.

Okay! so here is the question are you really getting a bargain on Black Friday?. Check the fifteen shopping tips as recommended by Which Magazine above and you should become a savvy shopper spot the bargain, raise an eyebrow when the product that has been on sale throughout the year. I wish you a Happy Black Friday Day.

Keep checking Black Friday  deals for

• Pushchair bargain
• Car seat bargain
• Baby Monitor bargain
• High Chair bargain

Keeping a stiff upper  has long been a hallmark of masculinity. ‘Real men’, we are told, hide their feelings. It’s precisely this unrealistic expectation we place on the male of the species that is responsible for so many men putting off getting tested for prostate cancer until it is too late. That, and fear of what the result will be.

They fool themselves that it’s perfectly normal to keep running  to the toilet or to stand at the urinal for 10 minutes, with nothing more than a dribble coming out.

Read Jeremy Clarke’s searing account of his prostate cancer treatment in this week’s Mail — from testosterone depletion to growing breasts — was so brave. Like many other men, he had left it too late before he got the dreaded diagnosis.

The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ about the size of a walnut whose main function is to secrete semen.

But it can cause problems out of all proportion to its size when it becomes cancerous, so it’s suprising that it hardly got a mention when I was at medical school. It wasn’t until I was a junior doctor in A&E that I started to appreciate how important it can be. […..] Read more

How to treat an Enlarged Prostrate

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, better known as prostate enlargement or BPH, is an incredibly common medical problem in which the prostate grows in size. Though the severity differs for all of the affected, up to 90% of males will develop BPH by age 80, with many experiencing it far earlier.

BPH is a well-researched and treatable disease, and while it can often be managed through simple home remedies, professional help is available for those with more severe symptoms.

Get active and exercise frequently

To help with an enlarged prostate, make sure you’re staying active and engaged through mild, low-intensity activities like walking. Look for exercises that put your waist and legs to work through gentle motions, bringing circulation to the area around your pelvis.

• Avoid generally stressful exercises, like heavy weight training, and exercises that add extreme, repetitive stress to the pelvic area, like cycling and rowing. These can irritate the area around the prostate and make your symptoms worse.
• Kegel exercises, like tightening the muscles around your scrotum and anus, can help strengthen your pelvic region and reduce symptoms of BPH.

Lower the amount of caffeine and alcohol you consume.

Coffee, soda, energy drinks, hot cocoa, tea, alcohol, and similar diuretics can weaken your bladder and add to any urination problems you’re already experiencing. Cut down the amount of caffeine and alcohol you drink, taking particular care to not consume any 3 to 4 hours before bed.

• If you have trouble cutting down, try slowly reducing your intake over a series of multiple weeks.
• Switch to non-caffeinated beverages if you have trouble cutting out sugar.

Alpha blockers are specialty drugs that can help your bladder muscles relax, relieving some symptoms of BPH and making urination easier. Alpha blockers are most effective for those with moderate prostate enlargement. Ask your doctor about prescription drugs like terazosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin, and alfuzosin.

• Because alpha blockers were originally used for people with high blood pressure, the most common symptom experienced is decreased blood pressure.
• Alpha blockers can lead to decreased ejaculation and should not be combined with erectile dysfunction medication.
• Check with your doctor before using alpha blockers with erectile dysfunction medication, blood pressure medication, medicine to treat HIV/AIDS, antibiotics, antidepressants, or water pills.  Special thanks to  Janice Litza, MD  for this  review.

FEAR

Stop scaring yourself, make that appointment with your doctor it will save your life.

“How Do You Spell FEAR? Almost all fear is:

Fantasized Experiences Appearing Real

This is a practical way to remember what we are doing to ourselves when we are afraid.”

Click here for more information –  Benign prostate enlargement NHS 

Enlarged Prostate a Big Problem – Watch Video Below!