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

Summertime and the Living is Easy

That's what I thought, anyway, when I decided to take the Summer Semester off. But three months is a long time to "Do Nothing."

I realized that it had been a full semester since I had a math class. A higher math is required and that means Pre-Calculus. I had struggled towards the end of my combined Elementary/Intermediate Algebra, so I'm doing a couple of things. First I got out my big ol' math book and just started going through the odd numbered problems (the answers are in the back) in the Intermediate Algebra section.  I also decided to give the For Dummies series a whirl.      

Pre-Calculus For Dummies Pre-Calculus Workbook For Dummies I also got Logic For Dummies because Symbolic Logic sounds daunting!

Overall I like the For Dummies series. They are written towards a specific audience - Us! We get these books because we want to learn more or learn better. My favorite line in the Introduction under Foolish Assumptions of the Pre-Cal is "We can't assume that just because we absolutely love math that you share the same enthusiasm for the subject." A word of warning: There are errors in the Pre-Calculus Workbook for Dummies. Go here to download the Errata. While you are there, you might want to look around to see if there are any corrections for other For Dummies books you may have.

I didn't stop with just the above books either. Remember the Wiki Post? I told you then I would learn more about Wikis and share with you what I've learned in future installments. I just finished the first week's assignment with my Summer Camp for PBWiki. In another three to four weeks I hope to have a Perpetual Andragogy Wiki up and running. There you will find more in-depth information for Adult Learners, Career Changers, and College as a Non-Traditional Student. AND you can contribute also. Want some info now? Go to the PBWorks Support Center. There's a great intro video also.

Now I'm not all work and no play. I'm a big proponent for giving the brain downtime. I give myself permission to "Do Nothing." Dan Bingham's article, Mad Men's Guide to Managing Creative People, gives great perspective on the Do Nothing/Brain Downtime position I advocate. 

I also believe in Field Trips; you know something Outside! I'm hoping to make it to the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park, WA. We have a  RAIN FOREST ! In the U.S ! I gotta go. 

Photo brockzilla