Lifelong learning
Lifelong learning is a way of life for some of us. It could almost be considered an addiction for others. Lifelong learners seek out new books in their local libraries, whip through the daily crossword or sudoku puzzle, find community education classes, and attend educational lectures. Retirees can travel internationally and experience new cultures by attending Elderhostels or similar programs sponsored by numerous colleges around the world.
And then there are those learners who kick it up a notch or twenty – such as those learners who are seeking a doctorate at Capella. We all know that learning happens in many places besides the classroom or courseroom.
We keep learning at work (or at least we should be). We learn how to cook and bake, how to care for children and others, how to drive a car, how to play baseball, and how to operate a computer. Much of what we learn we pick up from those around us, intuitively, or through trial and error, but some of us do occasionally have to read the directions to see how to do some activity or we might actually break down and read the rule book. And some of us ask a lot of questions.
A search of journals finds hundreds of articles that focus on lifelong learning, what the trends are, why we embrace lifelong learning and what it all means. Journals even focus on the concept of lifelong learning and many articles are found in journals the cover a variety of topics on education. As long as three decades ago, researchers were asking whether lifelong learning was a compulsion, or an opportunity. What is the motivation for the lifelong learner? What are economic consequences and the effect on the labor market? What kinds of goals should be set, what kinds of policies should be put into place regarding lifelong learning?
Is lifelong learning for all? Should there be a strategy to include more people in more learning opportunities? Is there a relationship between our intelligence and our efforts in lifelong learning? Has technology played a role in making lifelong learning more available? If you are a lifelong learner, are you more employable? Are you more likely to have a clear handle on events around the country and around the world? Do you seek out information about what is happening, or do you let others provide you with information?
Is learning through your lifetime a luxury or a necessity? Will you continue this habit when you complete your degree?
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February 4th, 2009 at 3:25 am
As I continue step back to view my life, the person I look at is successful. He has finished almost every task he has set out to do. He is educated, a good family person and pursuing a road that most in his family did not ever know existed. What has driven me to these moments? Was it the impoverished life growing up? Was it the perception that educated people don’t suffer as much financially? Or was it just a need to feel fulfilled? Maslow describes self actualization as “…implies the attainment of the basic needs of physiological, safety/security, love/belongingness, and self-esteem” (http://psikoloji.fisek.com.tr/maslow/self.htm, online). Based on this description, I have not reached self actualization. I step back to view my life and the person I look at is successful. He has finished almost every task he has set out to do. He is educated, a good family person and pursuing a road that most in his family did not ever know existed. What has driven me to these moments? Was it the impoverished life growing up? Was it the perception that educated people don’t suffer as much financially? Or was it just a need to feel fulfilled? Maslow describes self actualization as “…implies the attainment of the basic needs of physiological, safety/security, love/belongingness, and self-esteem” (http://psikoloji.fisek.com.tr/maslow/self.htm, online). Based on this description, I have not reached self actualization.
As I continue to push forward and reach plateaus never seen by any family member, will I become complacent and accept what I have or continue to strive for the absolute best? Who is the authority on what is best? Is it Maslow’s self actualization? Or is it a comfortable life for my family, myself while having the ability to contribute to society? This is a question that will not be answered anytime soon. I haven’t taken my first class yet, wish me luck.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:26 am
I certainly wish you the best of luck, Sais, as you look forward to taking classes. You certainly ask questions that only you can really answer. Why DO you want to continue to learn? You ask the questions about Maslow’s hierarchy and whether you will reach the self actualization level. Only you will be able to answer that. Is it the degree at the end of the journey that will help you reach that level — or will it be the education you receive while you take that journey that will bring you closer to that level? Will additional education provide a more comfortable life for your family? Again, it is how to choose to use that education that will answer that question. Will you be able to contribute to society? Again, it is in how you choose to use the education you receive. Is part of attaining self-fulfillment the knowledge that you want to keep learning and somehow knowing that you will never be able to learn enough to satisfy yourself?
February 25th, 2009 at 6:11 am
In the short time since I first posted, I was hired as an adjunct faculty member for a college here in Iraq, teaching servicemembers aboard a Coalition Base. I shared this news with some friends of mine back home and they asked me “why are you still going to college? You’re a teacher now.” I have come to the realization that I want to contribute to the field, younger learners and society. To do this adequately, I am required to continue learning forever. I want to provide the best body of knowledge to these students and all students in the future. I think you stated it perfectly, part of my own self-actualization will be that I will never learn enough.
February 25th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Sais,
Congratulations on your position with the college in Iraq! You will be a terrific faculty member because of your attitude. Teaching is, without a doubt, one of those professions where you can never know enough. When you teach that first class, you realize how much you still want to learn so that you fully understand more of the background and nuances of your topic. Even if you wrote the book (or dissertation) on that topic, you will find there is always more you feel you want to learn. And if you teach classes on several different topics, you will find yourself wanting to know more and more about those areas. Absolutely, you want to go into your courses with as much preparation as possible. With any luck, you are prepared to respond to the difficult student questions that will, inevitably, come your way. Some of those questions, though, will send you scurrying to find those answers. Your students will be in good hands in your classes. Good luck!