Musings of a Life Long Learner

I recall my father taking my sister and me to pick up hamburgers at the Dairy Queen, before there were McDonald's, Burger Kings and Wendy’s on every corner. We drove to the Dairy Queen Brazier where we walked up to the window (this was before drive-thrus) and placed our order. The person behind the window tore off the bottom of the ticket on which our claim number was printed. When our order was ready, our number was announced over the speaker system, and we'd run up to the window to get our burgers and fries.

When we placed our order, the man behind the window gave Dad the stub. We’d clamor at Dad unmercifully "tell us the number, tell us the number." He wouldn’t give it to us directly, instead he gave us a math problem to solve, and the answer was our order number.

When I think back over my childhood, lifelong learning wasn't something we discussed. We just did it, probably because our father just did it, because his father did it. You get the picture

Learning today encompasses so much. There are the lessons themselves as well as the technology that goes with them. As we take this course, it seems to me the most important lesson is the process. We complete a task which requires learning the technology, then we reflect and continue to build on the previous lesson. We have activities to reinforce the learning.

When I reflect on the 7 1/2 Elements of LifeLong Learning, the habit that resonates with me the most is Habit 1, begin with the end in mind. It seems so natural in problem solving to define the problem, and to determine if there’s a problem at all.

The most challenging habit for me is Habit 3 seeing every problem as a challenge to learn something new. It means learning how to face challenges calmly and methodically. Sometimes my focus reverts to “getting the job done,” and anything that keeps me from my goal is a problem.

The most important is Habit 5, building my learning technology tool box. The biggest issue is organizing the different tools available in order to find them when I need them. So often I’ll vaguely remember something I tried, but I can’t find it again. It’s inefficient. If I have a toolbox, I’ll be ready to capture the learning moment when a someone asks me “tell me the number.”