Learning 2.0, is an interesting creation. I know that if I were not in this class, there are all lot of things on this list that I would not be in a hurry to try out on my own. And many that I have never heard of, nor do I know what they are or what they do. I am a bit phobic about technology. The only thing my cell phone is capable of doing is calling and texting. It will take pictures, but is not worth the hassle. I do however own a Canon Rebel XTI, that I bought a year ago and absolutely love. This is my first digital camera, if you can believe it. The salesperson at Best Buy couldn't. Nothing like jumping in the deep end. I am very excited about trying out Flickr, since I am currently storing all of my photos on my PC.
The hardest thing on the list of Life Long Learning Habits, for me, is accepting responsibility for my own learning. As much as I love to read, I do not like to read for factual information unless I specifically need it for something. My co-workers are always reading animal books and say that they either do not like to read for fun, or do not have time. I, on the other hand, am usually reading a work of fiction, because I find it relaxing and only read up on my animals if someone asks me a question that I can not answer.
The easiest thing on the list is definitely play. I spend some of my time at work every day playing with the two servals that we bottle-raised at the zoo. This helps me learn about their behaviors and how they are feeling , as well as providing stimulation for both cats and keeper. Also, up until this fall, I belonged to a bowling league that ran from May to September and also a summer league. I also play softball on three different teams from April to November. And my dog, Rocky, has to play with his frisbee everyday or he feels neglected.
I think that life long learning is a process that everyone goes through whether they realize it or not. All of the historical romance novels that I have read helped me out on the GRE, when I was reviewing vocabulary. Old words that we don't really use anymore kept popping up, but I knew what they meant because I had read them in the novels. Yoga was one of the things listed as an activity of life long learners. Not everyone doing yoga must consider that learning. It hadn't crossed my mind until I heard it on the tutorial. Even people who are just watching tv, are bound to learn something here and there. I think its just a case of you get out what you put in, but everyone is a life long learner.
I agree with you that 'lifelong learning' is a process that everyone goes through even if they aren't aware of it. I think that everyone learns something new every day, even if they aren't doing it in a traditional way. You can learn a lot just riding the bus to work and talking to someone new; it doesn;t always have to happen while reading a book....
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, your cell phone is more advanced than mine, and I just sent my first text message this summer! I definitely agree with you that everyone is a lifelong learner for exactly the reasons you gave. And I think sometimes learning without realizing it is the best way! Perhaps because it's more natural, or less stressful? Go servals!
ReplyDeleteI think you really have a unique perspective on "play" as learning b/c of your experience with animals - that is how they usually learn, right? I know that puppies "play" with their siblings and are learning important dog behaviors and what is and is not acceptable from their parents, right?
ReplyDeleteAmy, you are correct that animals learn through play. Most predators learn hunting behaviors through play, especially cats. Even animals raised in captivity will exhibit some if not all of these behaviors. The servals often stalk children visiting the zoo and they do the "crouch and pounce" often when playing. Also, since their primary prey in the wild are birds in flight, they will jump for things. They treat me like I'm a serval and we have always encouraged them to do so. They always greet me with a headbutt, which is a feline greeting that all cats exhibit, large or small.
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