7 1/2 Habits

So today I began the first step of my lifelong learner project, and I have to admit that I don't think I understood the distinction between learning and lifelong learning. Before I started, I thought to myself, Oh, I'm certain that I'm already a lifelong learner, and after having read through the introduction and having viewed the 7 1/2 Habits slideshow, I still think I am...I just think that I am an informal lifelong learner. I'm always curious to learn new things and pick up facts and information everywhere I go. Sometimes I think that my mind is a steel trap for everything except what I want to learn, but at least stuff is sticking in my gray matter up there. Perhaps I should be grateful!

It is this tendency to be an informal learner that allows me to easily identify the habits that will be easier and/or more difficult for me. It is obvious to me that beginning with the end in mind will be the most difficult task for me. I rarely sit down and think, "I am going to master the art of making an omelette the size of Texas" or "I think I will read about my favorite musicians until I see their family tree floating behind my eyes while I sleep." It just happens naturally. I'll see a random non-fiction book about forensics on the library shelf, pick it up, devour it, and then return it to the library, happy and with a few more gruesome snippets to share at cocktail parties. Mastery of a subject is what I tend to think of as lifelong learning rather than mastery of a skill, although I realize both count. I'm very much a Jack of all Trades, Master of None sort of learner. Therefore, beginning with an end in mind will be a novel concept for me and definitely difficult to achieve.

The easiest task for me is a tie between viewing problems as challenges and using technology to my advantage. As a reference librarian, my job is an exercise in viewing problems as challenges, and it's one of the reasons I love doing what I do. In my more romanticised notions of myself, I feel like a Sherlock Holmes of the shelves, able to track down any hidden information, no matter how esoteric. Similarly, having grown up in the age of technology, I think NOT using technology to my advantage would be more difficult for me than having to use it. I can't imagine life before google.

Overall, I think this program will be a good opportunity for me to review some of my knowledge on web technologies and learn a few new things in the process. If I'm a good little lifelong learner, maybe it will teach me how to be more organized about increasing my knowledge and skill bases as well.


My 'We Value Your Opinion' Comments
(for PLCMC's online tutorial)

-Having both the text of the dialogue on the side of the page and the audio is very, very helpful.
-The length is just long enough to be informative without dragging on.
-Some of the pages and audio didn't load for me in the slideshow, but thanks to the text on the left, I could follow along anyway without missing anything.
-Informative and easy-to-use without feeling stodgy. Not intimidating at all.
-Good job, guys and dolls!