Thoughts about lifelong learning, and making a commitment

I've set up my blog, and listened to the 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners tutorial. It is amazing how obvious these habits are when faced with them - maybe it is the term "lifelong learning" that makes us think it is too hard or it requires an extra-special commitment. A tutorial like the above shows that it doesn't. People may be already exhibiting some of these habits and not realise that they are. Yes, they have to be nurtured, and of course some would be easier to grasp than others, but they can be taught, and this is a role that libraries play and encourage.

The 71/2 Habits outlined were: Begin with an end in mind, accept responsibility your own learning, view problems as challenges, have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner, create your own learning toolbox, use technology to your advantage, teach/mentor others, and most importantly when undertaking 23 things, PLAY.

The "easiest" habit for me is probably the first two, begin with an end in mind, and, accept responsibility for your own learning. I have always been a goal-setter, perhaps it has something to do with overcoming obstacles to do with my disability. Accepting responsibility for my own learning meanwhile was probably helped by the fact that my undergraduate degree was a Bachelor of Arts, as I had to do a lot of independent learning to get the most out of it. I think taking responsibility for your learning at the core of LL in general. If you don't take responsibility for it, you won't actively learn. Viewing problems as challenges is the "hardest" for me, as I like things to go smoothly, and get stressed if they don't! I do have confidence in myself as a learner, but am hard on myself, a perfectionist, so some doubt always creeps in! Creating a learning toolbox, using technology to your advantage and playing are things I would like to explore more during this process. I don't always see playing as learning and feel guilty! Teaching and mentoring others is a good way to reinforce our own learning, and I definitely find this is the case for me. If I can clearly explain a concept to someone, I am well on my way to understanding it.

A particularly good idea that the tutorial encouraged was to create a learning contract, to encourage commitment and buy-in when undertaking a worktask.

My Learning 2.0 Contract is (with names and my signature omitted):

Goal – To play with these 2.0 tools, gaining a deeper understanding/appreciation of how they might be used to benefit/enhance my life, more particularly my work and the people my Library serves. I want to be able to feel confident in the use of these tools and technology, so that I can contribute more to discussions about the direction of the Library now and where we need to be if we are going to continue to be a key information node to users in the future. These tools could play an important part in making this decision.

Obstacles – Time, Priorities (motivation), difficulties with some of the tools.

Toolbox – I will need a:
Computer,
Internet connection,
Speakers,
Microphone,
Books/articles on Web 2.0.

Resources for Help -

The Staff Development Co-ordinator and Web 2.0 champions at my library site and other sites.
PLCMC 23 Things website.
Books/articles on Web 2.0.

My commitment -

I will commit to doing at least one “thing” of the 23 Things program every week from this day, to help prepare me to be a champion of [my] Library’s 21 Lunges program at [site] Library, beginning in March 2008.
I will blog about my experiences and encourage and engage with the other champions.
I will enjoy the experiences most of all and do my best.
I will carry this commitment over into the 21 Lunges program.

Signed by me
20 December 2007

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It might undergo some tweaking over time, but I will keep to my word.