Deeper Learning

It's clear that the true essence of learning is more than just flipping through a PowerPoint and reading the information on the slide. To really create a learning environment, it all starts before the training begins.

At the top of my post there is a brief statement, "Information is a foundation that creates endless thoughts and practices for new learning". While writing this expression, it came from a thought that information we are exposed to provide the footing or base of our continued learning. If we think of a new born baby who sees the world for the first time, that baby takes in images which begins the learning process.

This probably doesn't complete the answer to the question, where does learning begin; but instead, it proposes that learning has a base and from there continued learning takes place. A great example would be math...at least from my personal experience. I'm not going to say that it's impossible to step into a calculus class without a foundation of mathematics, but it sure would be difficult to gain the concepts.

Interestingly a friend and I just had this exact conversation concerning math. Math never was my strength and as it was pointed out in our discussion, often times this can be due to the foundation of instruction when the subject was very first introduced. I prefer not to think of myself as non-teachable, so I accepted this suggestion.

So, the point of all this is my notion that initial learning needs to start with a solid foundation, or just like a house with cheap wood, it will crumble as the foundation continues to built upon. The learner who is taught with a cheap foundation will also fall behind as the subjects become more complex.

The First of Many

This will be my first post to a newly developed blog. Since it's my first post, I don't expect anyone to be on the edge of their seat. The purpose of the blog is for a few reasons:

1. To satisfy a requirement for school
2. To journal my own journey as I attend school
3. To journal my job search

I hope that as I continue to blog, my own and other's interest will continue to grow. First, let me explain the school thing...I recently began on-line classes at Walden University in Instructional Design & Technology. I'm middle aged and decided it's time for a career change. After 20 years served in the U.S. Air Force and about 11 years working in the private sector, I finally found something that I believe can be a good career move. My intent is to complete a certificate in this field and work in the education or government industry.

Secondly, let me explain the job thing. In late April I was layed off. The company realigned and my position was eliminated. Unfortunately, the company made a bad decision because they lost a great employee -- what more can I say about that! This might be the most interesting part of the blog.

Since this is the opening of my blog, I'm keeping this one short and sweet - check back frequently, my assumption is this requirement and therapy will get better and better!