Respond to each of the following points:
· the challenges of being a learner at your age
· the joys of being a learner at your age
· your hopes for the next decade as a learner
· your advice for people who are entering your decade as a learner.
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11 comments:
Discussion Module 5
I started my education journey in my late 50’s when my children were going to high school which presented me with few challenges; one of the challenges was adjusting to being self directed rather than by being taught be teachers using an instructional method. Secondly, I did‘t feel confident sharing my thoughts with my peers because I felt that I did not know how too express myself. It was due to the fact that being educated in another country with a strong accent. I didn’t want to be laughed at by my classmates. I have strong extended families’ ties and values that have been my priority in life. I found it hard to say no any one especially my family members, because of my cultural upbringing or not having the courage to stand up for my self. Certainly education has helped me to know my self and what I want. I am still learning how to get it .Erickson‘s eight stages of adult developments and the last stage of development is the ego development outcome or Integrity vs Despair. This is not applicable presently in this age and time.
Enrolling in ED program at age 70’s poses another challenge to learn technology on line. Technology and managing information is the biggest challenge for me but I am certain that I will learn. I am a life long learner now. My family has supported me in my journey of higher education but still they say why you are doing it at this age and what would you gain from doing it. I have to assure them consistently that it is for my personal growth. In childhood I was not motivated to study. Education was valued highly. The culture favored males to go for higher education more than women. Women were not i n the work force except in certain fields like nursing and teaching. In my life time, I was praised by one professor in my master’s degree that I should consider writing a book. Up to that point of my life, I learned but had little relevance. Now the door is opened I see myself standing near the ocean and feeling over whelmed with knowledge how to make sense of it and actually learn from it.
The joy of learning comes with hard work and I feel good about myself and what I am doing. I work almost full time and love it . I want to teach my students to become the change agent to make this world a better place to live. They can touch others people’s lives. I want to become more knowledgeable and be aware of the new trends in current literature in education and becoming more of a critical thinker and a reflective practitioner.
My hopes for the next decade as an adult learners are that the curriculum accommodate the specific learning needs of culturally diverse learners. I hope that the knowledge gained will enable me to be an expert in the field of adult education. Also my one of my other desires is to develop an adult learning theory that will motivate learners to achieve their potential learning goals as adult learners.
My advice for people whoa re entering my decade as a learner is follow your passion and stay committed to their goal even though the life crises and obstacles occurs. To be more cognizant of new technology and information this would be an asset in adult learning.
Proncyth,
I was very inspired by your story and I can relate. I have had three different successful careers as a scientist, as a dance educator and as an occupational safety professional. I became a classical dancer career in my twenties, when others were doing it in their teens. I had a rewarding career dancing and teaching in my thirties, and I have continued to dance and teach well into my fifties. Therefore, you can see I have never been one to listen to those that say you cannot do something or that you are too old, or this is not appropriate at this time in your life. I salute you for your courage and confidence in pursuing your EdD through many adversities. Harder, A. (2002) quotes Erickson as saying, “much of life is preparing for middle adulthood, and the last stage is recovering from it (p.4).” I disagree with your assessment of your situation as compared to Erikson’s developmental stages. I believe you do embody one whose ego has developed to the point where you believe in yourself and are confident in your ability to succeed. I am confident in your ability to succeed and I wish you well in your endeavors. Your family should be very proud of you and your accomplishments.
Liz Miles
Harder, A. (2002). The Developmental Stages of Erik Erikson. Support for Change. Retrieved August 19, 2009, from http://www.support4change.com/stages/cycles/Erikson.html.
Proncyth,
Your positive attitude concerning advanced learning at a later age is fantastic. I too am a late "continuing" learner in formal learning. The key word is passion and the key response to "why" at this late date is "why not?"
Karin P
I would like to say that you both inspire and motivate me to stay focused and keep moving forward. As a community college faculty member I meet students who range in age from 17 years old to age 50. I wish all my students had an opportunity to meet a learner such as yourself. It is never to late to set an educational/career goal and achievement, but many of our "youth" feel that if they do not graduate within four years for a bachelors or within two years for an associates, that they are some how major failures. I had a student in my office the other day with tears in his eyes telling me how old he feels (he was all of 21 in a half!) because he is still a junior college student, and has yet to earn a degree or transfer. i also have students who are between 30 to 50 years of age who were "forced" to go back to college after being laid off from a career position. many of the above 30 aged students feel a sense of dread and failure due to their current circumstances. I believe your story would be inspirational to people of all ages pursuing higher education. The challenges that you face in my experience seem to be universal for a lot of students. I have students aged 18 to 25 who do not own computers nor do they have the skills to use them at the level society assumes most young people have. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Response to Proncyth:
Thank you, THANK YOU, T-H-A-N-K-S! You are truly an inspiration and your post is a treasure for me. I, too, consider myself a lifelong learner, where my age is not a hindrance, but an asset. I can appreciate the blessing it is to have my health and have a desire to learn, rather than considering learning a burden. Like your family, mine is very supportive and, just as you are for your family, I hope to be a model for mine of what can be accomplished by anyone willing to work -- no matter what your age!
Take care of yourself and keep learning!
Peggy!!!
Congratulations proncyth! You have reached the light at the end of the tunnel. I admire your courage and your desire to reach your goals. They speak very highly of your character and your individualism as well. When reading our assignments, I tried to find Levinson's writings on the eight ages of woman. I could not. Women's lives are so diverse and different when compared to men because we have many more challenges and expectations than men. I look forward to reading your book because I believe it will have many insights relative to how all of our growth experiences as women of the millenium who have had opportunities not available to our grandmothers. Congratulations and I salute you!
I would first like to start by saying good for you for continuing your education in this adult phase. I commend you for your commitment, passion and desire to learn. I agree with you that passion is of upmost importance to succeed in learning, you have got to have a passion for something to make it part of your life. I also agree with your statement regarding the need to be up to date with technology. One of the things that have come to the forefront for me in this course is that I am not as up to date with technology as I thought I was. This course has opened my eyes to many opportunities to incorporate technology in learning and teaching. The family support you must have is wonderful.
I would like to begin by saying "hats off to you" because you have so much knowledge to offer the next decade of learners. You are still learning and going to school, I think that,that is a great sacrifice on your part. I believe in never getting to old to learn something. I know that your family is very proud of you. You are an inspiration to me. I am fifity years old and I feel to old at times to be in school and then i feel like I can conquer the world. What I would say to you is, keep on dioing what you are doing because you will hve an impact on others lives.
Essey
Proncyth,
In reading your post, you stated, “Now the door is opened I see myself standing near the ocean and feeling over whelmed with knowledge how to make sense of it and actually learn from it.” I would have to say that if you look a half a mile down the ocean to your right from where you stand I am there! I as well feel as though I have all of this knowledge that I’m trying to process, interpret, and implement and often have difficulty making sense of it all. However, I believe over time those pieces of the puzzle will eventually fit when I least expect it, thus revealing the “learning moment.” So hang in there, soak up the rays, and know that our learning moments will come.
Your response helped me to understand my journey in the education process. Age is not so much a challenge as having the confident and passion to move forward. I am encouraged by your courage. I am so excited on the one hand to have this opportunity and yet sometimes I am a little apprehensive. Thank you for sharing such a great perspective.
Proncyth,
I find it amazing that you are working towards your ED. I have many students in my adult education courses that get discouraged because they are in their 50s and 60s and all the other students are so much younger than them. I have to reenforce all the time that it doesn't matter your age when you decide to continue your education, it is the hard work and determination to succeed that is most important. Good Luck to you!
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