Hello, I am hoping to create a format where adults over 40 can share their experiences with life-long learning. I am over 50, and for a web-based graduate class, I am posting my first blog since I am trying to learn more about technology and how it works. My class readings recently, have been about life-long learning, and I am hoping that some of you out there will share some ways you may be doing this. For me, taking graduate school classes on the web and interacting with my fellow students and my professors in this manner, has been very interesting. I am learning so much out of the comfort of my home, and more importantly, am finding out there are so many ways to gather information and interact with other adults. Please share ways that you may be learning something new.
When in doubt: Google. Or Bing. I used to wonder what an error message meant on my computer. Or I simply had a question. With these search engines, I often find the answers tom my question immediately. I used to ask my mom how to spell something and she would say "Look it up!" Now, if I have a question, even if it is how to spell something, I Google it. - Chip C
ReplyDeleteI learn by trying something new - like blogging or getting on Facebook! It is scary when you don't know what you are doing, but it's pretty hard to really make a mess of things. That is one thing I have learned as I venture further and further into our new techincal world!
ReplyDeleteKaren C
Have you noticed that 20 somethings avoid communication with 50 somethings if it includes voice? Text is a different story...go for it! Enjoy exploding library of presentations....check out ted.com. Availability of books on CD or other media are an easy replacement for shout radio.
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Having 3 adult children, working as a nurse at Children's, where we are always on the cutting edge of technology in our charting,volunteering in communitiy,etc., I am forced to be a life long learner...but, hopefully, it keeps the mind sharp!I work with staff that can't even remember seeing a rotary dial phone! Proud of you, roomie!! Karen VZ
ReplyDeleteYou're my techno-idol, Cindy. Now, my Wii Fit age is 39 so I hope I still qualify to post : ) I've learned that my handwriting has gone the way of my eyesight. And the whole coffee shop phenomena might be keeping the art of face-to-face conversation alive. (Except for the pierced and tattooed server who, when you say 'thank you,' says 'no problem' - as if my request for them to do their job might have taken them away from something...don't get me started) Remember when, say, answering machines became the norm - we had about five years to get used to them. Then, oh, CD and video players. We had a few years to let them in our lives AND figure them out (except for Karen, she refused to learn to program.) But NOW....every day it seems like there something new - new apps, new versions, new features, on and on. I can't keep up. Maybe I gave up? So I try to embrace what I can use and let the people who need all the stuff figure it out. It seems like it's all like golf or even tennis --- when watching professionals, they always work on getting back to basics. Balance, tempo, foot work, follow through, etc. Basics. Not very techno, is it?
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI am certainly no expert at any of the "computer age" stuff but I really enjoy learning. My friend got me using facebook to post lots of pictures so the rest of the family around the country could share. We have really enjoyed it.
At work I have become a powerpoint "queen"! I have made powerpoints on almost all the games we play in the gym. I made an exact repleca of the gym and then use an electronic pen to diagram plays. I have a big monitor in my office and I just bring all the students into the office and we go over all the rules and questions. The students understand everything so much better than the days when I tried to explain rules out in the gym. They focus so much better on the Monitor and are much more attentive.
I post all the rules to the games on our schools Edline page so the students can talk and show their parents some of the games we play. I also take digital pictures of the students as they play and post them on the Edline page. Students and parents love it.
Good luck on this new experience and remember any child 8 years or older can give you help!
Not quite 40 yet, but I think it is great that you are doing this. This class also forced me to create my own blog and it was a lot easier than I thought! I am always learning something new at work and in my personal life!
ReplyDeleteCindy, I try to learn everyday by taking on work or community assignments where I have little to no experience. I also try to include a very wide range of ages in my work projects e.g., from teens to +80 year olds. Its amazing the differennt insights that come across a wide range of ages.
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteAs technology keeps moving, we need to keep learning to stay current. It is the wave of the future & we had better catch that wave or we will be left behind. I personally love to learn new things on the computer - sometimes it's like a game to figure it all out. I "google" things all the time - amazing what you can find. I think that our age group (40s-50s) is the in-between age when it comes to cyber anything - it is so normal for our kids, yet so foreign to our parents. Our only choice is to learn, learn, learn!
Mongolia... defining moment was getting out of the van, in the pouring rain, cold, tired, to trudge up a 90 degree hill to only get back in the bouncy van. I could cry ( totally valid) or laugh at myself for choosing to be there. Totally decided to laugh!
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