Lifelong learning is, to me, almost redundant. The day we stop learning is the day we may as well just sit down and die. An active pursuit of learning is a different matter altogether. As sensate creatures we are constantly learning simply by virtue of our interaction with and within our environment. Seeking out new knowledge, looking for connections and progressions among things we already know, and creating new knowledge is the greatest part of the human condition.
Effective learning is not something I am very good at. For instance, I know all about German electoral systems in the Federal Republic before the reunification but I have no idea why and how the voting process in Georgia is (or got to be) the way it is. The Bundestag is one thing; five hour lines to vote using a supposedly automated system with no one else thinking there’s a problem is beyond my comprehension.
My greatest challenge will be figuring out what to use. I have spent hours wandering about in the Tractor Supply store looking, touching, lifting, and mostly wondering what all these things could possibly be used for. “How mad will she get if I bring this home?” is a question I constantly ask myself. I really don’t need an anvil, or a salt lick, or any of the other cool things, and I’m sure that I’ll be the same way with technology.
3 responses so far ↓
1
femman
// Dec 13, 2008 at 3:45 pm
It was interesting reading your reflections
2
sherrie
// Feb 17, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Fun comparison, John. I hope you find as many interesting things on here as you do in the tractor supply store.
3
Steffani Tuttle
// Feb 19, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I agree about life long learning. I think it would be almost impossible to not continue learn everyday. Just talking to peers, friends, and students I learn new things everyday. Sometimes something simple such as the fact that Publix doubles coupons is all you learn, or just a new word. Learning daily is almost effortless.
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