Happy Birthday Perpetual Andragogy! with a revisit to Why Go Back to School Now?

I can't believe it's been a Year already! Thank You for reading what I have to say as an Adult Learner and taking this wonderful journey through the World of Academia with me. Your words of encouragement, with your public and private comments, only reinforces  my decision.

Looking back on this first post, I see I have strayed from my original plan of drawing correlations between Knowles' principles of the Adult Learner and my real world application through experience. I believe I still have the spirit of this theme though. 

 CSN (my first college) is almost as old as I am.

Have you, or someone you know considered a return to college? If yes and you don't know where to start, hop on over to the wiki. (just click the blue wiki button at the top right) It's not too late and no one is ever too old. Heck I'm (darn, those number keys aren't working) but let's suffice it to say my first concert (age 4) was Paul Revere and the Raiders. How's that for a flashback?   

Thank You again for reading. I am having great fun! I just love adding all this Scholarly information to my life experience. It feels right; that it should be this way. If you have any questions about college as an Adult Learner, drop me a line at Kathleen@perpetualandragogy.com

I'm claiming bragging rights for coolest college commute!

This is on the way home from UNLV

Why Go Back to College Now?

I wanted to be a Librarian, but when I looked at the qualifications, it required a Bachelor's Degree. (actually a Master's, but more on that later.) OK, but where to start and would it be worth it? 

The Chetham Library was founded in 1653 and is the oldest known Library in the English speaking World. Photo used with permission granted by Darby Sawchuck. Be sure to visit this wonderful Photographer.

After much research and positive self-talk, I mustered the courage and enrolled. I started slowly, with only a couple of classes, just to get my feet wet. At orientation I learned of a course called College Success. It was recommended for Freshman and Nontraditional Students.

Returning to college after 25 years well qualified me for  Nontraditional student status. Out with the math class, in with the College Success class. I added The History of Rock and Roll. "You can actually get credit for that?" I marveled, 
"Sign me up!"

 That was in the Fall of 2008. It is now Spring Semester of 2010 and forty class hours later. Along the way, I have learned something about myself. I don't learn the same way my younger traditional classmates do. With experience comes different ways to think about problems or theory set forth in standard curriculum. I ask more questions, hoping I am not dominating the discussion, and look for more interactions and applications of what is being presented.

I knew there had to be others like me, or somebody must have addressed this aspect of education. A bit of research later brought me to Malcolm S. Knowles and his theory of Andragogy. In his chart, Andragogy in Practice, I found the Six Core Adult Learning Principles. 

Professor Knowles and his contemporaries wrote this from the outside looking in. I have the great benefit of writing from the perspective of an Adult Learner in Action. In future Blogs I will share a learning experience, draw correlations between the experience and one or more of Professor Knowles' principles, then relate it to you in what I hope will be an informative and entertaining style.

Until then, I leave you with this.

 Hernry Latham Doherty from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory 

Columbia University|Earth Institute

Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. 

Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.  

I've Got a Golden Ticket

Well, not really. However, the nice young lady at the RebelCard office told me that, amongst other things, my RebelCard (UNLV Student ID) grants me a free ticket to UNLV sporting events. Free! Wow, what event do I want to go to first and how does the UNLV fight song go again? But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

I had spent the previous night making sure that I had all my paperwork together for my required meeting with my Academic Advisor. I had checked and re-checked my student account, activated my RebelMail, made copies of immunization records,

"...going to college and taking the classes isn't the hard part, the paperwork is."

class schedules for two colleges, put the finishing touches on my Department of English Degree Requirement Evaluation Sheet and highlighted Building number 34 on an 89 numbered building map. You know, going to college and taking the classes isn't the hard part, the paperwork is.

I wasn't too worried about getting there, it's an under half-hour commute through city traffic, until I woke up to this.

I know, I know, some of you are laughing and saying "Aw, that's nothing" but you don't know Vegas drivers! Hot & Sunny,  the Las Vegas weather motto, has spoiled us. More thought and expense goes into car air conditioning than serviceable wiper blades. I allowed an extra twenty minutes for the drive and extracted a warm winter coat with a hood from a forgotten corner in my closet. 

Traffic wasn't too bad. I only saw one fender bender and drivers were more cautious than annoying. I easily found metered parking with a two-hour limit right across from the bookstore. I knew parking wouldn't be this easy for long.

Now, to get my bearings.

 

 I guess the print is so small because the campus is so big!

Found it!

The Office was void of traffic and I got in early. "You have been admitted under Liberal-Arts General, but we can't make that your major" my Advisor told me. I showed her my Degree Worksheet with the English Major/German Minor and asked about the second fine arts requirement.

NSHE (Nevada System of Higher Education) requires three credit hours of fine arts. COLA (College of Liberal Arts) requires an additional three for its program. I found myself wondering if I could sandwich a Pilates class in between lectures to give my mind time to 'digest'.

The meeting only lasted about twenty minutes. I was given advice on summer sessions; three terms, the first being only five weeks, where to obtain my RebelCard, and how to find the online parking pass information. I tried to hand her my Honors College application and proof of residency paper work, but those had to go to separate offices.

"I went to the wrong building, not once, but twice!"

"It's easy to find", said my Advisor, as she walked me to the door. "Just go down this wide path to the SSBC building." Of course I walked into the wrong one. I went to the wrong building, not once, but twice! But that's OK. I thought of it as my own little private tour, plus there are some nice little paths on this campus with lovely desert landscaping.

Now you know this aspiring Librarian could not leave campus without a Library card. After dropping my Honors College application on the third floor, I returned to the circulation desk and asked "Do I need my Student ID before I can get my Library card?" 

I had a sneaking suspicion I did, and yes, I did, so out to find the RebelCard office in the Student Union Building. This was cool too, because as I came out of the Lied (pronounced Lead as in Take me to your Leader) Library, I had a view of both buildings at once for the classes I would be taking.

 

The Student Union has a coffee shop, food court, Wi-Fi, Help Desk and the RebelCard office. The extremely nice and helpful young lady at the Help Desk mapped out how to get to the Multi-Cultural lounge where ANTS (Alliance of Nontraditional Students) meets.

A few short steps from the Help Desk brought me into the small and empty RebelCard office. I made a mental note to take advantage of the Winter Break Ghost Campus. You know for a fact, that most any other time, there will be long lines and waits for services. "Are you a student here" and "Do you have a photo ID?" were the only questions I needed to answer to have my picture taken and my RebelCard generated. 

Card in hand, humming I've Got a Golden Ticket, of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory fame, I went back to the Library. 

"Did you get your ID?" the nice young man at the circulation desk asked. (I know, I have been using "nice" to describe everyone I encountered, but they all really were!) And what does he say when I hand him my card? "Oh, nice" I smiled at his polite comment. Photo ID's and me make a lousy pair.

"So, I can use this to access all of UNLV's online databases for research and book reservations now?" "You're all set" he answered, and added, "You will also need it to make copies and print from the computers or your laptop."

As I turned to leave, I looked out and up and marveled. I now have access to every knowledge-filled floor; five floors of books and media references and research and more. There's even an entire floor dedicated to the UNLV Special Collections. I guess I really do have a Golden Ticket after all.

UNLV Fight Song: "Win with the Rebels"

  
Lied Library
UNLV Main Campus Photo Gallery by UNLV Photo Services

Finals and Crashes and Colds, Oh My!

What a year it's been! This last semester really kicked my butt! I had to Audit Pre-Calculus and ended up withdrawing from Symbolic Logic. I fared well in my other classes of Women's Studies, Survey of Communication and Access Database, but I was getting a terrible case of the Sophomore Blues. Was college really for me? 

I buckled down and delved further into my studies and flourished in various activities with my Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. As a member, I received no less than a dozen offers of scholarship from various four year institutions. Because of familial obligations, I like many Adult Learners, am unable to take advantage of these out of state opportunities.

from UNLV 

My acceptance email from UNLV cheered me though with "Congratulations, you're a Rebel now!" I laughed, because that's something my parents always knew. For those of you that don't know, the University of Nevada Las Vegas' mascot is a 'Runnin' Rebel'

The end of every semester always seems to bring its own Gremlins...

...and of course my Windows machine goes down right before my Access final. And no, I hadn't made a back up boot disk. Ah well, what's that they say about hindsight being 20/20? Oh, and a miserable cold had me down during study week. I even missed class, something I never do!

But I survived Yay! I finally decided on my Major - English. Yes, it's what I call a 'soft' major, but I'm good at it. Besides, it's a bridge to my ultimate goal, my Masters in Library Sciences. The only drawback is the required two years of a foreign language. That's OK - I'll give you one guess who's not too shabby at conversational German.

I have an appointment with my Academic Advisor at UNLV on the 3rd of January. I'll let you know how that went and what the Spring Semester entails after the meeting. I'll also put up the link to the photo tour and map of the campus - It is so BIG!

Until then I wish You and Yours the very, very best of the Holiday Season and a Wonderfully Prosperous New Year!

Christmas Card from Mom and Me Angels Baking Cookies

Christmas Card Happy Holidays from the 

Alpha Xi Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa

Also


Things I Think About When I Should be Studying


Windows 7 Recovery Disk/Boot Disk


Transfer to a Four Year Institution

Just Imagine Everyone in Their Underwear

I was asked to give a Presentation on the Perpetual Andragogy Wiki and Blog for our Alpha Xi Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Yes, I was nervous! And of course I had some technical difficulties. A Word of Warning: When you give a Presentation, make sure to have a backup online somewhere, either in your mail or in a dropbox file.

This is not a recording of the Live Presentation. Instead, I made two short Screenrs for you and included the On This Wiki Animoto. As for that underwear thing, uh, that doesn't really work! (click on links below each clip for a larger, better view)

How Perpetual Andragogy Came to Be

The Perpetual Andragogy Wiki

What You Can Find on the Wiki

A Word About Phi Theta Kappa and Service Organizations

If you are ever invited to join Phi Theta Kappa, Do So! Some of  the many benefits, include the 5-Star Competitive Edge Program, Scholarly Discussions, and organized events where you can volunteer your time. More about Phi Theta Kappa.

If your college does not have a Phi Theta Kappa Chapter, seek out a club or organization that aligns with your interests. Every scholarship application, job application and, most recently, my  transfer application to UNLV has asked about my community, civic or volunteer activities. Schools and employers don't want people who just have good grades. They want good people that do good things that also happen to get good grades.

Remember, Saturday, October 23rd is National Make a Difference Day. It is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Look around your Community for some great opportunities. Here are  these two to get you started.

Make a Difference Day

Susan G. Komen for the Cure




Web 2.0 Links and References

I Need to Brush Up on my Technology
Dynamic Web Applications
Screenr
Animoto
DropBox
Building a Video Podcast Part 1 & Part 2

It's Not What You Say, But How You Say It

Do you recognize this?


"The diminutive Oompa Loompas were prey and had little hope of survival.  A mammalian quadruped would breakfast on no less than ten of them. I extended an invitation to the Oompa Loompas to reside with me away from the various dangerous indigenous species."

Hmmm, sounds vaguely familiar, but I'll bet you know it better as this:


“And the poor little Oompa Loompas were so small and helpless, they would get gobbled up right and left. A Wangdoodle would eat ten of them for breakfast and think nothing of it. And so, I said, "Come and live with me in peace and safety, away from all the Wangdoodles, and Hornswogglers, and Snozzwangers, and rotten, Vermicious Knids" (Dahl/Wilder/IMBD).

This is, of course, from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I refer to the Original with Gene Wilder.  I just love that movie!

Growing up, my Oma (granny in German) always told me "the tone makes the music." Or, it's not what you say, but how you say it.  I believed all this time that she was stressing both manners and speaking politely to people. Although this may likely be true as well, I realize now that Oma may have been much wiser than I realized.

Communication, whether it be written, oral or signed, defines us. (There's non-verbal or body language also, but more on that later) The words we use to craft a writing or speech is telling of our intellect, or lack thereof. CMC or Computer Mediated Communication brings it's own set of rules to this playing field. I know I find myself referencing the Urban Dictionary more than Webster's here lately. How about you?


If we abbreviate or acronym our words, split our infinitives or dangle our participles, are we really less intelligent? The short answer: not necessarily. This is just the way we choose to express ourselves. I mean, you wouldn't read this blog if I wrote in the style of  the first paragraph, all uppity and white paperish. That would be boring. No, instead I write pretty much like I would  speak if you were right here with me.

With these thoughts, and many more,  not to mention the demise of  the Informatics Program, I have come to the tentative decision of a Major in Communications with a Minor in Environmental Sciences. I say tentative as I have yet to meet with my Academic Advisor for my transfer to UNLV. There may be other options. (UPDATE on Major)

Speaking of  Transfer. When I first embarked upon my college career, I was very unsure of myself. I wasn't sure if I could hack college after 25 years of being out of school and I didn't know if I could make the grade, so to speak.

I started small, taking only two classes, you know, just to get my feet wet. One of these classes was The History of Rock and Roll. I can't tell you how simultaneously thrilling and disturbing  it is to study musicians you have in your album collection. (yes, I said ALBUM ha ha)

But anyway, the point is I started at what was then a Community College. There are great advantages for the Adult Learner here. The class sizes are typically smaller and most importantly less expensive; a major factor to be sure. Yet if you wish to continue past either an Associates Degree or Vocational program, you must transfer to a Four Year Institution.

I have outlined these steps for you in a downloadable PDF on the wiki. There is also a video for you by Howcast. There may be more information added as I learn more, so check back often.



More

Why Go Back to School Now?

Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory ~ Film analysis for Communication Studies

The Perpetual Andragogy Wiki ~ Steps for Transfer to a Four Year Institution




This Blog Has a Bad Case of TMI

Too Much Information! That's what this Blog keeps getting. But I get so excited about all I've learned that I want to share it all with you. Doing this makes for a complicated 'Link Farm' where I ask you to follow the Blue Link Information Highway. Enough Already!

After four weeks in PBWorks Summer Camp (another week for tweaking and one for vacation - Yay!) I am now proud to introduce the Perpetual Andragogy Wiki.

Now, the page above is just one page. On this wiki you will find all kinds of resources for the Adult Learner, Career Changer, and a bit of Web 2.0 info. Maybe you, or someone you know, wants to go back to school; go through College by the Letters. Or your Mom, Dad or older friend would like to get online and get with it; send them to Boomers and Beyond.

Know that a wiki is an on going project. As my Professor said "...but when is a wiki ever finished." The very best part about a wiki is that YOU can contribute. Don't know a thing about wikis? Well, this is the perfect one to start on. Come on over, explore the links, try out the "Writer's Start Page" (scroll down on the first page) and request to be a writer. I'll be so glad to see you!

There are several ways to get to the Perpetual Andragogy Wiki. Click on the image above, the link at the top right, or here.

Oh, and one more thing. There are ways to access HELP all over the wiki. Go to the Writer's Start Page and watch the screenr I made for you. Give me feedback on the quick little survey below to let me know if this tutorial was helpful.

See You There! :D

I Want the T-Shirt Dammit!

I'm sure you're familiar with that old saying, "Been there, done  that, got the T-Shirt" but that's not the one I wanted.

This is the one I wanted. (Actually, the one I wanted said "Yesterday I couldn't spell eguneer, today I are one" but I couldn't find it)

When I had finally made the decision to return to college, I, like most purpose driven Adult Learners, had a specific goal in mind. Mine was a Degree in Social Informatics. These words, “Social informatics researchers are specially interested in developing reliable knowledge about information technology and social change, based on systematic empirical research, to inform both public policy debates and professional practice” (Kling) were my inspiration.


Informatics is inherently multi-disciplinary; perfect for my Renaissance Soul leanings. You can't just get a degree in Informatics without having a particular area of study. Pick a subject, any subject, Informatics applies.


Some of the more popular Informatics programs are in the Healthcare Industry, Environmental Sciences, and of course, Computer and Information Sciences. Perfect, I thought, as a base for a Masters in Library Sciences. And did  I mention that it comes out as an Engineering Degree. (Hence the T-Shirt)


The pursuit of any Degree is the outcome; a job. But you don't want 'just a job' that only puts food on your table; you want a career that both challenges and fulfills. As you pull into your driveway or parking space at the end of the day, you want to think "My work made a difference today." 


Informatics was that Degree for me. With my affinities for any and all informations and an insatiable pursuit of knowledge, what better endeavor than The Keeper of the Scrolls. But I would be The Keeper with new and emerging technology. How cool is that!


Did you notice the "was" in that last paragraph? Don't worry, I'm not quitting college only to make a 7th attempt later. (Did I ever mention that this is my 6th try at college?) Sadly, in spite of the excellent real world skills and knowledge I would gain, in spite of the required, much desired internship, and in spite of guaranteed placement of every Graduate of the UNLV Informatics program - it was eliminated on June 3rd of this year.


Disappointed, bitter, sad? You Betcha! I was darn near inconsolable. Oh, I ranted and raved for a while. My tirade included the economy, the United States Educational System, how Americans compare to the World in Education and advancement, and more. I even lashed out at our President, who told me at the beginning of my college career "Without a workforce trained in math, science, and technology and the other skills of the 21st century, our companies will innovate less, our economy will grow less, and our nation will be less competitive. If we want to outcompete the world tomorrow, we must out-educate the world today" (Obama).


I believed in the President's statement then. I believe in it now. Ultimately the Board of Regents, the economy or the President is not responsible for my education and pursuit of happiness. I am!


"So, watcha gonna do about it?" you may ask. I tell you what I'm gonna do. I am going to research another Degree that lends itself to my interests. And I won't stop there. I will augment my Degree with self-study classes and certificates that will help me achieve my goals. I hear I can do that on this new-fangled-thingy called The Internet.


Everybody Likes a Do Over


Has your program been eliminated? Were you downsized at your job? Are you having a hard time keeping up with the kids and their technological superiority? I have some great Resources for you  in the Perpetual Andragogy Wiki; coming in a short two weeks. In the meantime, here are a couple of springboards for you.


Take a Web 2.0 Class

I took one last semester, and you know what? When you take this class, except for the basics, it will be totally different. Technology's double edged sword: Emergence and Obsolescence. Check out BNET for a great video on Web 2.0 Business Integration.




From My Bookshelf *Note* This is on my To Read Bookshelf. It has great reviews plus don't you just love the title?
                                                             




Hop on The Green Bandwagon.


United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Measuring Green Jobs
Green Careers Guide


Get an Informatics Degree with your cognate. Here is a list of Colleges with Informatics Programs. I hope there is one near you.


Rob Kling Center for Social Informatics ~ Indiana University Bloomington
"Social Informatics overlaps other areas including computer-mediated communication (CMC), information systems, information science, “Internet Research,” and even parts of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)."  (more)

Employment and total job openings by postsecondary education or training category, 2008-2018. Table 9

Building a Video Podcast

This is Part One in the series: How To Build a Video Podcast

I get to learn it and so do you :)

I looked all over for a free place to put my video podcast (this isn't it. This is to compare quality and sound and torture you with German music hehhehheh) I could only find the two standards; youtube and Vimeo. Each needs an account to upload and both are free at the basic level. But how is the quality? 

Below, find the comparison of youtube (top) and Vimeo (bottom) Notice how youtube "doesn't quite fit?" I know it will if I use a different layout, but I want to dabble around some more first to see if I can make it fit. 'You will conform muwahaaaaaaaaa!" 

youtube

The Garden in June from Kathleen Ackroyd on Vimeo.

Vimeo

Don't forget to watch in large screen for both as well. Does one have better visual? Does one have better audio? Which one looks best at what size? These questions matter; especially for a Master's Thesis, job interview or client presentation.

Of course by then, you should be writing you own code and building your own presentations. But for now I will leave that to the experts (to right in bloglist) at Techie Tipz and Addicted to Code.