Self Directed Learning: Continuing "The Journey"

Image retrieved from: http://wesharepics.info/imagepgkl-person-standing-alone.asp, August 11, 2016

Since starting my first online course this past month I have become acutely aware of how I fare as a self directed learner. I was definitely nervous at the start and I had been told by a number of people that online courses were hard and not the way to go. I have discovered, however, that I really enjoy the process of online learning and being a self directed learner. The following article about self directed learning is from the University of Waterloo and is short but sweet:

https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/tips-students/self-directed-learning/self-directed-learning-four-step-process

This article gives some great information about the definition of self directed learning and what it takes to be a successful student and teacher. I especially like the section on "the responsibilities in the 4 step process" where the writer clearly identifies the roles of the students and the advising faculty.

Cognition: Emotional Intelligence (EI)

Image courtesy of http://www.slideshare.net/chadimohammed/inspiring-students-through-emotional-intelligence

I work in a field where communication, empathy and emotional regulation are paramount. In rehabilitation therapy you may be working in a hospital, rehab facility or an extended care home and no matter what your area you must be able to create rapport and trust with your clients, pick up cues that are non verbal, and be able to read emotions and understand how those emotions might be affecting your client and how their treatment is going to go that day. All of these skills can be categorized as emotional intelligence and in most cases these skills are just as important as being able to carry out the prescribed exercises with the client in a class, gym or one-on-one session. 

Although I have just talked about my personal opinion of which profession EI is important in I want to emphasize that it is becoming more and more well known that EI is an asset in any work place and indeed many professions are starting to seek out EI traits in their applicants more often than the "hard skills" required to do the jobs that they are applying for.

In this article from MindTools.com about "Emotional Intelligence" you will get a great idea of what it is and an introduction to Daniel Goleman's 5 characteristics of EI. The main point of the article however, is that EI can be developed and there are some great tips on how to help yourself grow in EI. I think that as instructors we have an opportunity to help our students grow in EI as well and I plan to use the tips listed in the article above to come up with some ways in which to incorporate them in to my classes.  

Motivation to Learn: McClusky's Theory of Margin

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   "At the heart of the matter is the understanding by those who create instruction that education and learning is dispensable. If the load that I am under is too great for me to manage, then I must begin to “jettison cargo” emotionally, and here is where education or learning can find itself “thrown overboard” for the sake of survival." (Para. 5)




This post from the Association For Talent Development blog gives a great explanation of McClusky's Theory of Margin and how it relates to learning for adults:
https://cfcastd.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/learning-theory-the-margins-of-learning-management-how-to-keep-learning-indispensible/

In doing research for this post I found that I was interested in many theories and in particular I was drawn to the idea of intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation. But after careful thought I realized that I wanted to focus more on a theory that resonated with me on a more personal level. After recently being a full time student with a baby, and a husband working two jobs to support us, I definitely understand what it is to feel that the scales that hold your "load" and your "power" may be tipping in an unfavorable way. I was lucky to have a lot of support and strength within myself in order to keep balanced but it took a lot out of me, my husband and the rest of our community to make that happen.

In my career as an instructor I hope to be able to gain the respect and rapport of my students and to create an environment where they feel that their lives are an important factor in their education and that if anyone starts to feel that their is an imbalance and that the "load" is getting to be too high that they will be able to come to me for help before throwing their education overboard.