Wilisha Scaife (634) -- Group 6: Narrative Learning -- January 31, 2013
[First--THANK YOU, group members, for sharing your
summary thoughts. I needed to see your examples to gain some confidence in what
needs to be a part of this summary. I also appreciate your passionate thoughts
and appreciation for what we all bring to the table. I trust that, TOGETHER, we
will have something significant to share!]
I have enjoyed the things I have learned through
the assigned reading and especially the thoughts shared by classmates in the
discussions posts. I must say, reading the thoughts and experiences of the
other adult learners makes me desire a face-to face experience with my cohort
members. I have been open in sharing the learning style and preferred environment
that I feel produces the riches learning experience for me, and that the
environment of 'physical togetherness' where we can see and share, not only our
verbal and written opinions, but also our hearts (those things we 'feel' as we
see expressions, etc.). I have also admitted that I made the very intentional
choice of online learning so I am glad that it is an option for adult learners
today. I need to have the flexibility of engaging the formal learning
environment when it is most convenient because of my busy, and at times,
unpredictable schedule. The truth of the matter is, this is probably not the
best time for me to be taking classes: I work about 60 hours a week as director;
have 3 children with EXTREMELY busy schedules (we are literally at basketball
games in and out of Indiana 3 to 4 times a week and much of that is driving out
of state), along with being a "mom" in every way; preaching, teaching,
and leading ministries at my church and invitations at other churches,
conferences, and workshops; presenting on assets and advocacy for children and
families and general motivational speaking across the US; a wife...!!! And so
much more. I say all of this to bring to light what I have learned AND better
appreciate about adult learners. WE ARE ALL BUSY, but that is only a part of
the challenge of adult learning.
I have read and am in full agreement that adult
learning SHOULD be multi-layered. As diverse, complicated, and multi-faceted as
each adult theory and process, so is each individual adult learner; thus the
adult learning environments, activities, and facilitation must attempt to
EMBRACE (wrap around) the adult learning so that success is assured. Yes,
assured! Now I know that is a lofty responsibility for educators to commit to:
Can adult learning programs ensure success? I think so especially when we
appreciate and evaluate adult learning based on the theory that it is happening
everywhere and all the time for adult learners and as we convince the adult
learner of this concept.
A friend of mine took this class EDAC 634 course when
she started her graduated studies about 3 years ago. She told me that this
course "transformed her." It had such an impact on her that I could
'feel' the transformation as she spoke. However, she dropped out of the
master's program. She is using what she learned in her work with adults in the
community right now, and (because of her experience in this course and our conversations)
she is thinking about how and when she will get back into her graduate program.
The truth of the matter is, she is learning in her work in the community and when
she comes back to the classroom, she will have an increased capacity for
learning AND an increased knowledge of experience to bring back to make her
unique contribution to the learning environment and impact adult learners she
engages in her future classes.
I have had so many positive thoughts and been
encouraged in SO many ways, as a result of this course. That’s is one of the
reason I wanted to learn more about Narrative Learning. I wish, as a cohort, we
could all tell and teach through a story we have experienced. It is not only
the learning of it (I admit, it is not the benefit of education that draws me
to the story-telling), it is the energy imparted, the magic manifested—it is
the look in the eye of the story-teller that draws me and DROWNS me in… it is
the POWER and PASSION poured out… Passion, yes, PASSION!
I will end with my newest favorite quote (Dr. Bo,
Jim, Aaron, you’ve seen it tag my emails):
I fall in love with people’s
passion. The way their eyes light up when they talk about the thing they love
and the way they fill with light.” Brooke Larsen
WOW! Goosebumps… Blessings Classmates!
No comments:
Post a Comment