I hate history. This past weekend I was asked to create a historical education program about the State Park that I work for since this is the big 50 year anniversary of CO State Parks. Repeat, I hate history. Dates, names, numbers - I'm terrible at it all and to have soemone tell it to me makes me want to run screaming for the hills. I was DREADING putting this program together.
Much to my shock and amazement, I started doing research on the area and found so much information on nearby places and names of places that I became hooked on learning about the history of the South Park area. All weekend long I was obsessed with learning more about what this place and life was like before the Europeans came west and kicked everyone else out. Even the European settlement was fascinating. I now believe that I love history - as long as it has some relevance for me and it is something I can learn on my own. As I drove home on Sunday, I was thinking about that - I want to learn this subject on my own and when I feel motivated to learn it, and I want to control how much I learn about it. If you call me up and want to chat about ghost towns in Nevada, be prepared to hear a loud click.
Question for you - do you have an area that you don't really care to learn about in a class or informal learning environment, however, you learn about it on your own time and when you feel motivated?
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Your post and experience is a fantastic example of how and why we're motivated to learn! I'm the same way about the stock market. Get me to a class on personal finance, forget it. Yet, I've been in and out of the stock market, learning on my own, and have been known to be glued to CNBC for weeks on end, studying every nuance. And, yet, I can't think of anything more boring than to have to sit through a workshop or seminar or course on finance or investing. Just wouldn't happen! I love being able to learn about it through other resources at a much slower and more casual pace. And, I've actually learned quite a bit over the last 10 years! I sometimes think that this is the way I deal with my original aversion to the subject while knowing now that it definitely has a place of value in my life.
ReplyDeleteI love your story - it certainly speaks to Knowles traits of an adult learner - immediate and useful. I also loved Susan's example - financial literacy is so important on a number of levels; but the typical presentation is a snooze. It's not put in a context that is relatable or easy to grasp for the lay person.
ReplyDeleteWhen I travel I research and collect all types of information so I can determine what it is I want to do - not a tour group, other friends, etc. I will say, on my Alcan Highway road trip I purchased Milepost - that book had no meaning to me until we actually hit the road and started at Milepost 1 - Dawson Creek, it was only then that big fat book made any sense.
I would have to agree with you about history and geography, but I love to travel, and when I get somewhere I like to know about it.
ReplyDeleteI just came back today from our family vacation to NV,AZ,CO,UT. I would rather experience the history, see the sites, than be lectured about it. I enjoy reading the info at the sites and listen to rangers and tour guides, but that is how I learn.
I learn through experience.
Good question.
Thank you all for responding. I find it fascinating that people have as Susan put it, aversions, to learning things in certain situations or environments. I am definitely interested in learning motivations for many reasons and I believe that knowing what motivates people can help adult educators encourage and support learning.
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