I know this blog was intended to document my formal learning with CSU, but I'm finding it to be a useful place to write down my reflections. I'm noticing lately that a lot of my reflections are about topics of my own interest that I've encountered through my own reading. I'm getting a little addicted to this, as I am finding the idea of learning through my own network to be pretty inspiring!
So today I was reading MindShift, and Audrey Watters addressed the topic of alternatives to formal education. This relates to the topic I wrote about a few days ago, when I was "sidetracked." She states, "Add to that the wealth of educational resources now available online, the possibility for people to learn new skills and to gain new knowledge outside of the traditional college classroom seems to be a compelling argument not to head right back to school."
In this blog posting she mentioned several resources, but I checked out the Edupunk's Guide by Anya Kamanetz. "An edupunk is someone who doesn't want to play by the old college rules." This website is filled with tutorials, resources and a free ebook guide for people who want to get an education, but want to do it on their own. She has also created a book called DIY U, and facilitates a self-learning community on P2P U (among other things).
The idea of directing your own learning has really become a fascinating topic to me. I'm quite interested in learning more about this idea of self-education because I'm not done. I'm nearing the end of my Masters degree, and I feel like I've just begun. I want to learn more about this topic, as I imagine I can be a valuable resource to colleagues at my school (as the librarian) in guiding them to pursue their own interests. Hmmm, maybe there could even be a job somewhere one day for me in this? I know Anya is going on maternity leave shortly and is looking for someone to take on the community manager work in DIY U. I like the idea, but I'm also strapped with two children and a Masters degree in progress.
Anyway, yes, back to self-education. My mind has drifted a little (as you can see) but the exciting thing is that I'm getting a glimpse of yet another job of the future (or maybe a job of today that not many know about) that doesn't yet have any formal training. Professional Development Coordinator? Professional Learning Facilitator? Would this be an alternative for many from formal university education? Would this fulfill requirements to become a teacher, or librarian in the future (probably not if governments have to issue credentials for working in that capacity, like they do in California).
Watters made a very good point at the end of her article though. "Despite the financial burden and the time commitment, college does offer an infrastructure - ideally at least - to make this learning happen." This is true for now. However, as organizations like P2PU, Khan Academy, and University of the People continue to appear, surely it's just a matter of time before we have cheaper, more self-directed options that do have an infrastructure (UoP does), and maybe even will have formal recognition. Paul states, "We’re entering an era in which elite education is cheap, but elite credentials are increasingly — for most, prohibitively — expensive."
So now that my interest is that I need time to explore these exciting new topics. Where does that come from? OK, back to finishing my paper... (ugh)
Kamanetz, A. (2011). The Edupunks's Guide. Available from http://edupunksguide.org/
P2PU: http://p2pu.org/en/
Paul, A. (2011). Salman Khan: The New Andrew Carnegie? Available from http://ideas.time.com/2011/11/16/salman-kahn-the-new-andrew-carnegie/
University of the People: http://www.uopeople.org/
Watters, A. (2011). Considering College During a Recession? Think Again. Available from http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/11/considering-college-during-a-recession-think-again/
So today I was reading MindShift, and Audrey Watters addressed the topic of alternatives to formal education. This relates to the topic I wrote about a few days ago, when I was "sidetracked." She states, "Add to that the wealth of educational resources now available online, the possibility for people to learn new skills and to gain new knowledge outside of the traditional college classroom seems to be a compelling argument not to head right back to school."
In this blog posting she mentioned several resources, but I checked out the Edupunk's Guide by Anya Kamanetz. "An edupunk is someone who doesn't want to play by the old college rules." This website is filled with tutorials, resources and a free ebook guide for people who want to get an education, but want to do it on their own. She has also created a book called DIY U, and facilitates a self-learning community on P2P U (among other things).
The idea of directing your own learning has really become a fascinating topic to me. I'm quite interested in learning more about this idea of self-education because I'm not done. I'm nearing the end of my Masters degree, and I feel like I've just begun. I want to learn more about this topic, as I imagine I can be a valuable resource to colleagues at my school (as the librarian) in guiding them to pursue their own interests. Hmmm, maybe there could even be a job somewhere one day for me in this? I know Anya is going on maternity leave shortly and is looking for someone to take on the community manager work in DIY U. I like the idea, but I'm also strapped with two children and a Masters degree in progress.
Anyway, yes, back to self-education. My mind has drifted a little (as you can see) but the exciting thing is that I'm getting a glimpse of yet another job of the future (or maybe a job of today that not many know about) that doesn't yet have any formal training. Professional Development Coordinator? Professional Learning Facilitator? Would this be an alternative for many from formal university education? Would this fulfill requirements to become a teacher, or librarian in the future (probably not if governments have to issue credentials for working in that capacity, like they do in California).
Watters made a very good point at the end of her article though. "Despite the financial burden and the time commitment, college does offer an infrastructure - ideally at least - to make this learning happen." This is true for now. However, as organizations like P2PU, Khan Academy, and University of the People continue to appear, surely it's just a matter of time before we have cheaper, more self-directed options that do have an infrastructure (UoP does), and maybe even will have formal recognition. Paul states, "We’re entering an era in which elite education is cheap, but elite credentials are increasingly — for most, prohibitively — expensive."
So now that my interest is that I need time to explore these exciting new topics. Where does that come from? OK, back to finishing my paper... (ugh)
Kamanetz, A. (2011). The Edupunks's Guide. Available from http://edupunksguide.org/
P2PU: http://p2pu.org/en/
Paul, A. (2011). Salman Khan: The New Andrew Carnegie? Available from http://ideas.time.com/2011/11/16/salman-kahn-the-new-andrew-carnegie/
University of the People: http://www.uopeople.org/
Watters, A. (2011). Considering College During a Recession? Think Again. Available from http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/11/considering-college-during-a-recession-think-again/
