Adventures in Self-directed, Lifelong Learning
My love affair with libraries started when I was very young. I grew up in a town with a library housed in a section of a big fancy estate that had been donated to the town. It had giant leaded glass windows, window seats, balconies, nooks and crannies and a beautiful children’s room which opened … Read more My Love Affair with Libraries
Here is one of my core beliefs: to improve parenting, learning, and taking care of yourself, make sure you go outside each day. Let nature nurture. Fresh air, sunshine, feet and hands in the dirt help cure a lot of what ails us. Need help with stress? Sleep? Moods? Take a walk. “In … Read more Don’t Forget to Go Outside!
Jane Andraka is warm, funny, and down-to-earth mom, who happens to be, according to Forbes magazine, “a genius at raising brilliant kids.” Her sons Luke and Jack have been taking the science and engineering world by storm, while still in their teens. Her younger son Jack developed a break-through, simple test for pancreatic cancer … Read more Parenting Tips from Jack Andraka’s Mom, Jane: Showing up and Keeping it Real
Are you new to the idea of self-directed learning? Or do you just want a nudge to get your own ideas going? Here’s a list of free and easy ways to kickstart your curiosity. Ready, set, go! Library! Browse the shelves, areas, displays, nooks and crannies. Check the internet policy. Explore all the resources, activities, … Read more 15 Ways to Kickstart Your Curiosity
What if it is taking so much longer than you thought it would?
How do you keep going when the going gets tough?
What if you have to keep learning new skills every step of the way, and life slows you down?
Carrie and I are right there with you! It happens to all of us. Our motivation and energy can be hard to sustain over the long haul.
The learner is at the heart of the process of self-directed learning. And the learner’s heart drives the process. Learners lead the process by determining what matters to them, their interests, curiosity and their goals, based on what is near and dear to their hearts. The heart must be full of trust that with questioning, … Read more What is Self-Directed Learning?
How can you be a self-directed learner? Ask yourself these questions: What? What do I want to learn? What are my goals? What are my next steps? What problem can I solve? What can I contribute? Why? Why does this matter to me and the world? Who? Who else is interested in this? Who might … Read more 24 Core Questions for Self-Directed Learners