I have reached the end of another class toward my Master's degree. I have mixed feelings: elation, excitement of what is yet to come, sadness at ending a study. I have worked hard throughout this summer to achieve what I have. I am proud of my accomplishments.
That said, I have learned a lot about adult education and what issues are associated with it. On the larger, perhaps global, scale the possibilities are endless. If education is life and life is also education (Merriam and Grace, 2011) then we have a lot to learn from ourselves, each other, and our experiences. Likewise, our students have a lot to teach us.
I look forward to my next class as I further my study and my degree in adult education. Until then, I wish you a happy end of summer and I hope to see you again on another blog.
:-)
About Me
- inputgonewild
- I Am: Student, Administrator, Faculty, Musician, Outdoor Enthusiast, Mother,Daughter, Sister, Companion, Co-worker, Mentor and Friend continuing my journey toward a Master's in Education.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
Adult learners
7/19/13
I have begun my interviewing process with my five subjects. Two are completed and although a decade apart in age, they respond similarly to some of the questions. Interesting! I have added at the end of my interview a question that I hope will assist me in my thesis (later on in my degree program). The question is, "If there was a course in college readiness geared toward adult learners, 1) would you take it? and 2) what would you expect to be covered in the class?" This question has so far affirmed my thesis project idea.
I have come to the conclusion that an amendment is needed for my learning contract. I am finding, as I do my chapter review (and additional reading), that the topic directly relates to the responses from the videos. To that end, I would like to adjust the contract to have the chapter/book review be a part of the final project. The material is just too similar to the interviews to not make direct correlations with the chapters. Keeping them separate will only be duplicative. To that end, I imagine my "summary/book review" to be longer in length, but that is ok because there is a LOT of information on my subject of barriers and emotion.
Now it is off to the hot tub after a long day of research and reading!
I have begun my interviewing process with my five subjects. Two are completed and although a decade apart in age, they respond similarly to some of the questions. Interesting! I have added at the end of my interview a question that I hope will assist me in my thesis (later on in my degree program). The question is, "If there was a course in college readiness geared toward adult learners, 1) would you take it? and 2) what would you expect to be covered in the class?" This question has so far affirmed my thesis project idea.
I have come to the conclusion that an amendment is needed for my learning contract. I am finding, as I do my chapter review (and additional reading), that the topic directly relates to the responses from the videos. To that end, I would like to adjust the contract to have the chapter/book review be a part of the final project. The material is just too similar to the interviews to not make direct correlations with the chapters. Keeping them separate will only be duplicative. To that end, I imagine my "summary/book review" to be longer in length, but that is ok because there is a LOT of information on my subject of barriers and emotion.
Now it is off to the hot tub after a long day of research and reading!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Facebook Poll about Adult Learning
Me: I decided to take a poll of my facebook friends to get some feedback as I prepare for my final project in this summer class. I have highlighted the common themes among respondents.
POST
Q: "I'm taking a class toward my Master's and it's called, "Critical and Contemporary Issues in Adult Education". And so, I take a poll of my Facebook friends... What do you feel is an issue for adults who go back to "school" after having been out of it for a period of time. The word "school" is relative and could mean anything from a class in basket-weaving to courses leading to a credential. Thanks!"
A: Time management. Most adults who go back to school have to deal with the family(small children or older kids because they need help with their schooling and friends and other issues) they have now that they didn't have before on top of a job and handling school.
A: (wife's name) experienced first hand having to do it all, mom, job, student. There usually weren't enough hours in the day. Having Monday and Wednesday night classes didn't help, some separation would have eased the crunch.
A: Finding the balance between family responsibilities and coursework as well as the focus toward this new goal. Phew... Good luck
A: Finding time to keep in touch w old friends, even if they happen to be taking the same class!
A: Guilt! Feeling caught between family, school, work etc...
A: Finding the time while working to attend, then study for the classes! I found I could not be out after teaching all day and function the next day!
END POST
Me: So, how does the educational institution assist the adult learner in overcoming or managing these "issues"? How does an instructor maintain his/her own ethical standards of treating each student fairly (does that mean "the same"?) while at the same time upholding institutional learning outcomes and curricular standards?
POST
Q: "I'm taking a class toward my Master's and it's called, "Critical and Contemporary Issues in Adult Education". And so, I take a poll of my Facebook friends... What do you feel is an issue for adults who go back to "school" after having been out of it for a period of time. The word "school" is relative and could mean anything from a class in basket-weaving to courses leading to a credential. Thanks!"
A: Time management. Most adults who go back to school have to deal with the family(small children or older kids because they need help with their schooling and friends and other issues) they have now that they didn't have before on top of a job and handling school.
A: (wife's name) experienced first hand having to do it all, mom, job, student. There usually weren't enough hours in the day. Having Monday and Wednesday night classes didn't help, some separation would have eased the crunch.
A: Finding the balance between family responsibilities and coursework as well as the focus toward this new goal. Phew... Good luck
A: Finding time to keep in touch w old friends, even if they happen to be taking the same class!
A: Guilt! Feeling caught between family, school, work etc...
A: Finding the time while working to attend, then study for the classes! I found I could not be out after teaching all day and function the next day!
END POST
Me: So, how does the educational institution assist the adult learner in overcoming or managing these "issues"? How does an instructor maintain his/her own ethical standards of treating each student fairly (does that mean "the same"?) while at the same time upholding institutional learning outcomes and curricular standards?
Friday, June 28, 2013
What do you get when you google "going back to school at 40? 50?
I was curious to discover what Google would tell me about going back to school at a mid-life age. Two articles among many are post-worthy and deal with issues in adult education.
The first link discusses the issue of financing your education. This is not a surprise, because it's the same concern for traditional age school-goers. back-to-school-adult-education-student-loans
The second link is packed with individual testimonies answering the question, "Too old for school?"
legalcareers.about.com/od/educationandtraining/a/Too-Old-For-School
It is easy to get sucked into the vortex of the internet! For me, because I am insatiably curious, it's like a kid in a candy shop!
The first link discusses the issue of financing your education. This is not a surprise, because it's the same concern for traditional age school-goers. back-to-school-adult-education-student-loans
The second link is packed with individual testimonies answering the question, "Too old for school?"
legalcareers.about.com/od/educationandtraining/a/Too-Old-For-School
It is easy to get sucked into the vortex of the internet! For me, because I am insatiably curious, it's like a kid in a candy shop!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Hello! The purpose of this blog is to document my journey through the next four classes toward my Master's Degree in Education. The classes are in Adult Learning, and the first one is entitled, "Critical and Contemporary Issues in Adult Education". My name is Wendy, and the on-line instructor is "Rog". I hope you enjoy this work in progress.
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