Randy Pausch's Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

I'm not sure where to start. I have so many thoughts regarding Dr. Randy Pausch's Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. One of my favorite parts of his speech was his reason for becoming a professor. His mentor, Andy Van Dam, encouraged him to be a professor because he would be a great salesman of education! Great advice! True statement! A teacher should be a great education salesman!

Dr. Pausch touched the lives of so many people. He continues to touch lives everyday. He truly enjoyed his life up until the very end. Those who knew him (I'm sure) consider it a privilege. I wish I'd had the opportunity.

One program he started is Building Virtual Worlds. This program includes fifty students that are split into teams of four. Teams have two-week assignments to present a demonstration / presentation on anything they choose. This enables students to use their own ideas to create interactive projects. Thus, making learning fun. In regard to "burp back education", Dr, Pausch's approach is a perfect example of how to AVOID "burp back education"! Student's benefit more by hands-on learning vs. memorizing followed by tests.

Alice is another program Dr. Pausch helped create. This program, now under the direction of Dr. Wanda Dann, provides a way for students to learn computer programming in a 3D environment. I believe in Dr. Pausch's method of teaching. Learning CAN be fun. Even during his "lecture", he didn't "lecture". He's interesting, upbeat, and entertaining.

Throughout Dr. Pausch's lecture, I kept asking myself what were his intentions. Was he paying tribute to all the great people he's met throughout his life and career? Was it a summary of his goals and accomplishments? Was he giving final words of wisdom and advice?

My question was answered at the end of his presentation. His last presentation was created for his three young children. Wow...that's deep! Dr. Pausch was blessed with great parents all throughout his life! His Dad had only passed away a couple years ago. Dr. Pausch was only 47, and knew he wasn't going to be there for his kids like his Dad was for him. Therefore, Dr. Pausch came up with a condensed version of "life lessons" he wanted them to learn from him. In his "Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams", Dr. Pausch is a positive influence on us today as well as his children as they mature.

After watching the Final Lecture, I was still curious and kept browsing various videos. The Final Lecture is over an hour long, but trust me -- it's worth every minute. BUT, if you have time constraints, watch his super-condensed version featured on Oprah. It's not near as compelling, but you still get the message he's trying to convey. Check it out even if you've watched the whole video!