Lifelong Learning 2.0

I’ve been thinking about school starting in the fall.  Not because I want to. I relish the thought of summer lasting for weeks and weeks. I’ve been thinking about it because several of the bloggers I follow have started writing about the start of school.

Summer is a great time for refreshment, relaxation, renewal.  It is also a great time for educators to connect with their PLN and extend their knowledge.  As school starts, I know I will be so busy that the thought of extra time to learn new things seems almost impossible.  Will I have time to stay connected to my PLN? I know that when I am I learn so much and am able to contribute to others.  If you value this too, I am confident that with thoughtful planning, you can take create time for self-education and growth during the busy school year.

1. Be proactive. We make choices daily about how we spend our time.  Make a conscious effort to learn something new.  Be a lifelong learner.

2. Set clearly defined goals and put them in writing. Things don’t often happen just because.  Success and growth are intentional.  Create a plan and allow yourself to be flexible with it. Find a friend to hold you accountable.

3. Seek out opportunities for self-education. There are many ways to do this:  follow other blogs, sign up for webinars, read books, join twitter, watch tutorials, take a class, register for a workshop, subscribe to learning channels on YouTube.

4. Start with you. Learn new ways to use existing tools.  However, don’t push web 2.0 tools on students without taking time to use them for your own learning.  Participate in networks, create a wiki, journal in a blog.  You’ll be better prepared to help your students with these tools if you use them for your own professional growth. Learn first. Experience.  Then pass on the treasures to your students and learn with them.

5. Blog.  Journal about your self-educational experiences.  Reflect on your learning.

6. Take risks. Seize opportunities. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.  This is often the very place where true growth can occur.

7. Grow in community. Vygotsky spoke of the “Zone of proximal development,” meaning that there exists a certain amount of knowledge that can only come from the assistance of others through social interaction.  The learning process flourishes when you focus on learning together.  Collaborate.  Find others who have the same interests.  Share resources. Grow together. Learning in community is a wonderful path to take.

Photo Attribution: End of Summer, by Noe