If you read into the background of notable people who are exemplary lifelong learners, you can find some common ground – they read quite a bit, they set goals, they experiment, they cultivate curiosity, they schedule time for learning projects (rise early, set aside time before bed), they walk or exercise when they need to [...]
When I was researching the Learning Guild report on self-directed learning, I noted an observation that came up in a few articles: that learners who control their own learning do so rather indiscriminately. They don’t exactly plan their approach; they take what they can find and run with it, continuing to explore as their needs [...]
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose unto heaven. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 When people talk about great achievements in self-directed learning, they often cite examples from extreme sports enthusiasts or intense hobbyists. These voracious learners read up on the subject in any way they can. They take lessons from [...]
The future belongs to those who learn. Never has that been more true. It's cliche to say the world is changing fast, but just look around. The coronavirus pandemic has forced rapid change in our work, in our day-to-day activities, and even in the way we organize and run our lives. And - asked to [...]
In the midst of everything that goes on at this time of year, I almost always make December a time for reflection and planning. My birthday is at the beginning of the month; the year turns at the end of the month; and there is often something liminal about the week between Christmas and New [...]
As the year comes to a close, I am noodling on new commitments to my own learning for 2018 – specific topics and skills that I want to further develop. I’ll be drafting a syllabus of sorts for the few that are most important to me, and I’m confident and thankful that I have the [...]