Learning can be described as a long-life process that improves on knowledge, information, skills, behavior and attitude. Life-long learning involves a learning activity undertaken throughout ones life with an endeavor to gain knowledge, competence and skills (Morgan-Klein and Osborne, 2007). A life-long learner, therefore, is a person who values all perceptive of learning, be it personal, social, civic or employment related activities. This is a learner who undergoes a continuous process in acquisition, and updating of interest, abilities and qualifications.
Life-long learners do not depend on their previous courses or classes, though these are used as tools for further acquisition of knowledge. The learners do not require degrees, certificates or first-class grades, to prove its usefulness. In varying times it requires reflection, practice, social and environmental interaction, for acquisition of skills (Morgan-Klein and Osborne, 2007).
Importance of life-long learning.
Life-long learning promotes and boosts knowledge development. It improves ones competencies, which enable a learner to adapt to society, and participate in various spheres or activities that enhance social and economic development. It acts as a measure that controls ones future through behavioral development, and being aware of societal expectations. Life-long learning allows access and awareness of available opportunities. Life-long learners are equipped with regional and global knowhow of developmental changes, and new chances that come with technological changes. The whole process is all about provision of chances that update available skills and offer advancements to the next learning levels (Morgan-Klein and Osborne, 2007).
Plan to be a life-long learner.
The initial step would be to have a learning contract (Morgan-Klein and Osborne, 2007). This is a written plan that would include my learning goals, and the intended means of learning. To go through the process I would prefer the use of written articles, self directed learning, and practical work. My tool box would be inclusive of online articles, books and journals. Through this plan, my objective would be in focus. It would also be flexible so that I can take and assimilate any changing situations that might be caused by changes, in technology. My plan would also be inclusive of learning priorities, i.e. what level of knowledge I intend to gain, time and energy expectations, and opportunities that the process would create in my life.
After college, I intend to work closely with renowned scholars and educators, to guide me through my knowledge acquisition targets. I will employ what I have already achieved from pre-school, college and personal experiences in learning. To achieve my goals, in knowledge and skill acquisition, I intend to have a training cycle that would comprise of reading, practical’s and use of assessments. Reading would assist in awareness of available resources while practicals would assist in measuring theory with practice. Through practice, I will be equipped with available opportunities, and also come up with further readings that I still require. With these practical’s, I will be in a position to determine what I still need to research from books, online sources, and any available learning material.
Assessments, on the other hand, would be a test on measuring my levels of knowledge. These tests will act as a measure of my levels of knowledge, and still act as directives on what is till need to improve on. The whole idea behind my plan would be to research and build on what I already know. It will be a challenge to develop more skills and competencies in my learning process.
Reference.
Morgan-Klein, B. & Osborne, M. (2007). The Concepts and Practices of Lifelong Learning. Routledge: London.
