Greetings and Happy Midweek!
As we settle into our NEW YEAR routines, this week I thought we could explore an interesting cross-cultural learning trend involving various kinds of academic pursuits which don’t fall neatly into ‘traditional education’ boxes. This fits into the PROgrams component of our Global SKILLs training, and (I think!) is well worth our attention.* It has additional facets which we can revisit in the future, but today - let’s focus on the lifelong learning value of this trend.
What I am seeing globally is a plethora of program offerings in both the public and private sectors which are being legitimized in various ways - using badges (online ‘grades’ or rewards), certificates, recognition events, etc. A few root motivations for the trend came first as the world went virtual due to the covid pandemic. Now, it continues and even increases in volume as many realize this type of innovative programming effectively reaches a much wider audience and partially addresses long time issues like affordability, equitable access and - yes, what TRUE lifelong learning really is!
One case in point - I signed up for a webinar this week, but after entering the zoom meeting, I realized in the first few minutes, it was not something of interest to me. Regardless of the fact that I thus did not attend the event, in my inbox a day later I received a Certificate acknowledging that I was a graduate of this particular webinar. A token, I guess, I could use for example on a resumé - if I chose to place that kind of value on it.
Now, my point here is not to be cynical - although it is just a tad tempting. Indeed, I am a lifelong ‘non-traditional education’ advocate and I applaud efforts by whatever (name your business or non-profit) Academy wants to certify their programs. But I would just suggest we all do some soul-searching as to how our daily pursuits and our academic offerings really contribute (or not) to TRUE lifelong learning. Because, in the end, that is what is truly valuable - for us and others - right?
How about for you ~ what is an example of a recent, truly valuable, lifelong learning opportunity?
Share about that with a friend or note it here.
And check out the Global SKILLs LINKs below for related Connect Topics…a few ‘out of the box’ learning moment opportunities, if you so choose!
Thanks for being part of this Connect community.
Until next week, Betsy
Global SKILLs LINKs - Related Connects = TRUE life long learning? Only you can tell for yourself!
(scroll down to find these posts) 11/4/20 - opportunities, 2/24/21 - cultural awakening, 3/31/21 - teachable moments, 6/2/21 - borrowing, 6/30/21 - living languages
Notes
* Through my business Global SKILLs and several partner subsidiaries I offer unique cross-cultural consulting and training including:
3 Dimensional Dynamics Model:
1st dimension = HOME ; 2nd dimension = HOST ; 3rd dimension = HARBOR)
PROACTive Learning Strategies: PRO = PROfile, PROcess, PROgram
ACT = Application (which we explored this week), Collaboration and Transformation
~ contact me for more information on this model and these strategies and how you might use them in your current programming: betsy.barbour@gmail.com
2023 ~ Celebrating 40+ years of working in
intercultural communications and global community building
“It takes a community to build a community”
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