Lesson 1
Before you start this course, let's define health. What is it? What is this class all about? Your mind might go directly to physical health. Eating right and staying active. That's only one aspect of health. Health is your well-being. If someone asked you 'How are you?' they're probably not asking about your physical health, but your OVERALL well-being.
So what constitutes being healthy? This is actually a topic that a lot of people debate over. Take a look at some of these diagrams:
So what constitutes being healthy? This is actually a topic that a lot of people debate over. Take a look at some of these diagrams:
The last diagram in the bottom right-hand corner is known as 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs'. It was put together by a psychologist named Abraham Maslow. He said that all humans have certain needs, and you need your most basic needs met before you can have less-important needs met.
Why did I include this in a discussion about health? Well all of the things in this pyramid have to do with being healthy. Maslow focused on MENTAL health because he was a psychologist.
When you are required to take a health class, you should realize that's it's not all about physical health (though that is definitely part of it). The purpose of this class is to help you take care of yourself. Health is your well-being, and taking care of yourself.
Why did I include this in a discussion about health? Well all of the things in this pyramid have to do with being healthy. Maslow focused on MENTAL health because he was a psychologist.
When you are required to take a health class, you should realize that's it's not all about physical health (though that is definitely part of it). The purpose of this class is to help you take care of yourself. Health is your well-being, and taking care of yourself.
Social Health
Let's talk about social health for a minute. Social health is your positive interaction with others. This would include all your relationships. How you communicate. How you deal with situations involving other people.
For your first assignment I want you to watch this TED talk, Psychologist Sherry Turkle explains her opinion on how technology affects our interaction with others. This has a lot to do with Social Health. She argues that as a society we are forgetting how to interact. At the bottom of this page (after the YouTube video) you'll find instructions on what to do for your assignment and how to submit it.
For your first assignment I want you to watch this TED talk, Psychologist Sherry Turkle explains her opinion on how technology affects our interaction with others. This has a lot to do with Social Health. She argues that as a society we are forgetting how to interact. At the bottom of this page (after the YouTube video) you'll find instructions on what to do for your assignment and how to submit it.
Assignment 1
Open up a Word Processing document on your computer. It can be Microsoft Word, OpenOffice Writer, or another word processing file. After you've watched the video, write 2 paragraphs. I want your paragraphs to be in complete sentences. That means that you can pick out a sentence and read it and it still makes sense. 'Because she argues about technology.' Is NOT a complete sentence. Don't start your sentences with 'Because'.
In your 2 paragraphs answer these questions:
In your 2 paragraphs answer these questions:
- What does she mean by, "Human relationships are rich and they're messy and they're demanding. And we clean them up with technology" ?
- Why does she think it's important to decrease our use of technology for communication?
- According to Sherry Turkle why are LISTENING ('including the boring bits') and EMPATHY important?
- What does she mean by saying; "We expect more from technology and less from each other" ?
- What does using technology to communicate have to do with 'being alone' ?
- Do you agree with her opinion? Why or why not?
When you're done typing your paragraphs save your document. Below is a submission box. You'll see these at the bottom of every lesson you complete. There is a spot for you to type in your name, and below that a box that says UPLOAD FILE. On this box there is also a place for your e-mail. I will be sending e-mails to the students enrolled in the class throughout the semester. Put the e-mail address you would like me to send class information to.
If you click on 'Choose File' you can find the document you just saved and upload it. These submissions are sent directly to me. Once your document is uploaded hit 'Submit'.