OCLS Learn 2.1: Life Long Learning 2.0

Watch This Video: The Hollywood Librarian

Listen to this Podcast: Life Long Learning

Life Long Learning - Our first course introduced the term Life Long Learning and the concept that it stands for. If you remember, we discussed, (New Bees: LLL in L2.0) life long learning as an attitude that encourages you to be open to new ideas, skills or experiences. You are never too old to learn a “new trick”! We live this and provide these learning opportunities to our community on a daily basis, so it is essential that we “walk the walk”! This module will continue to explore websites that will help you continue to learn and grow. The three areas of life long learning that we are going to look at are certificate/degree granting programs, professional development and personal growth programs.

Higher/Continuing Education – Ten years ago, online higher education was seen as a scam or something done by “diploma mills”. Five years ago, taking grad courses online from a local university was considered cutting edge. Today, just about every major university has an online program. Have you ever thought about getting your MLS from Syracuse but really hated the thought of leaving sunny Florida? Check it out ~ Syracuse University.

How about a guide to online college programs? eCollege Guide

So maybe going to college just isn't your thing. Maybe the student loan bills are pretty scary.........here are two opportunities to participate in formal learning in an open source format: Wikiversity & Connexions

Professional Development
Professional development is learning directly related to your career. This could range from the very specific training that enables you to do your job, or the broader based work skills that we all need. Your personal development plan in Halogen is your learning plan for your specific job, here are some websites that may help too:

Life Hacker - at first glance this site can seem very techno-centric. Don't be intimidated, it is a great site to get ideas on how to make technology work for you and it does cover non-tech subjects too.

Positivity Blog - a positive outlook allows you to see opportunities where others only see doom and gloom. This is a great site to help you stay focused.

Business Balls - check out the multiple intelligence section.

Personal Growth
Learning for personal growth is learning for fun. You do this to learn a new hobby or become better at something that you are interested in. Golf lessons? How about Spanish language lessons? Have you ever had a personal trainer?? The goal of this area of learning is to make your life more interesting and fun. Here are some websites that can help:

Berklee Music Lessons Were you more DJ Jazzy Jeff than the Fresh Prince? Check out the By Instrument section for free lessons for a broad range of instruments including DJ/turntable and voice.

Nikon Photo School – Who better to learn digital photography from than Nikon?

Cnet Digital Home DIY – This one is for the folks that need just a little help in seeing how to use their tech gadgets better (or a lot of help)

Instructables – photo essays with instructions on how to do a lot of things.

eHow – How To Do Just About Anything.

Expert Village – EV is a Youtube partner.

eXtropia – the How To site for serious techno geeks! Warning….techno rip tides are very strong here. Surf at your own risk!

HowStuffWorks - finally, a website that will stifle the 4 year old question machines inside all of us!

5 Minute Lifeopedia - Similar to HowStuffWorks but in video form.

eXplorer – Take some time and explore the websites above. In your blog, tell us which website you liked and why. Will it assist you in reaching a personal or professional goal?

Adventure - Ok, after all that learning, it is time for a study break! Who makes your favorite pizza – Domino’s, Papa John’s or Pizza Hut? Your adventure challenge is to create a user account at the pizzeria of your preference and order some pie! Text or email, whatever works for you. (No, I am not going to pay for it, nice try!)