Learning in my future
Katie Hughes
Katie Hughes
Growing up, I always looked forward to the last day of school. It meant that beautiful summers were beginning and time on the water was on the horizon. Mainly, it meant no more homework, tests, or learning required and my mind was free! I was so thankful for that. However, as my master's degree is winding down and I am beginning to look ahead, I know I will still see learning in my future. I have embraced it and see both the small and large impact it makes on life. My 'Concepts of a Learning Society' course has changed my view of learning. We recognized that learning takes place everywhere outside of the classroom. This has made me realize that I can intentionally continue learning via multiple platforms. Every day we can learn something: how to tweak a recipe to our liking, fix our bike wheel without taking it into the store, or master a new route to work. We continue to learn every day, but now I want to see these small things in an intentional way. While my traditional education days in school may be over for good, here is how I see myself continuing to learn in the future:
Self-directed learning - One way I want to expand my learning and creativity is through my own ways of learning, such as Pinterest or via my own methods of study. With the ability to search for DIY projects, the physical act of learning and trying something new is unique to the mind. Creativity is an area I can improve in and I can see growth occurring as I seek to be aware of it. I also want to pick up on my Spanish language skills - I took Spanish all through high school and a little on my own after college. Utilizing the resources around me and sensing my own motivation to learn makes the process my own and so rewarding.
Professional development at work - On the job training is one of the biggest ways I would like to focus my learning. As we seek to be better employees and simply better people to one another in the workplace, we must look to learning to enhance our qualities. I see myself joining professional organizations and attending conferences. Reading plays a large part in my learning, so seeking professional and business books will be important.
Professional development at work - On the job training is one of the biggest ways I would like to focus my learning. As we seek to be better employees and simply better people to one another in the workplace, we must look to learning to enhance our qualities. I see myself joining professional organizations and attending conferences. Reading plays a large part in my learning, so seeking professional and business books will be important.
One area we cannot overlook is the role that technology plays in our learning. Growing up in a classroom (and just growing up in general) now without iPads, smartboards, etc seems like ancient history without technology playing a major role. With the continued changes in technology within our society, learning in a sense has become easier as we have information right at our fingertips. However, I see this technology as a negative in some aspects. As we seek to acquire information, the internet can seem to take away parts of the learning process. Instead of using our brains to think about where we could access this information, we immediately seek a search engine online. There is no more time for trial and error, or asking a friend, or going to the library. It takes away part of the learning process that was once sacred. Is the internet a bad thing? Of course not. It is how we use it that will define its' place as we continue to grow and learn.
A final thought on the learning process online. For me, this experience of taking my entire program online has been interesting. My learning preference is in the classroom and I believe I get more out of the classroom experience. However, at times the online courses have made me more self-directed and I was motivated to learn as I needed to. Without the set "class time" it was convenient to study around work and still feel responsible for my own learning. It also allowed me to connect with other students across the country and world, providing unique opinions and experiences. I would recommend online learning to anyone able or willing to take courses. Free MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) like Coursera may also play a part in my future learning and has already for thousands of people. It truly is instant learning without having to leave home. Traditional online learning may not be a preference for everyone, but I think it will continue to grow in the future.
A final thought on the learning process online. For me, this experience of taking my entire program online has been interesting. My learning preference is in the classroom and I believe I get more out of the classroom experience. However, at times the online courses have made me more self-directed and I was motivated to learn as I needed to. Without the set "class time" it was convenient to study around work and still feel responsible for my own learning. It also allowed me to connect with other students across the country and world, providing unique opinions and experiences. I would recommend online learning to anyone able or willing to take courses. Free MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) like Coursera may also play a part in my future learning and has already for thousands of people. It truly is instant learning without having to leave home. Traditional online learning may not be a preference for everyone, but I think it will continue to grow in the future.