Last semester, I came up with a
lengthy and complex definition of learning. I thought it out thoroughly and
still agree with much of what I said, but was dissatisfied with how messy it
seemed. It made me think more deeply about not just what the process of
learning is, but what learning itself is. As I pondered this, I came up with
this: Learning is adding value to yourself. I later added that it is the
process to becoming perfect. I also changed “adding value” to “expanding”
because I didn’t like the thought that without learning you are worthless, and
the idea of expansion seemed to fit with how I felt about learning. It also
encompassed many different types of learning.
As I first thought
about what artifacts I would bring to a new civilization, it seemed a bit
abstract and I was thinking in terms of ideological ideas. However, it occurred
to me that I will be starting my own “civilizations” very soon and that this is
very applicable to me. For example, I am studying to become an Elementary
school teacher, where I will set up my own little “civilization” in my
classroom. Learning is already the focus of this civilization, but how will I
work to present learning in the right way to help the students thrive? In
addition, I will one day be a mother where I will be raising my family as a
“civilization.” What concepts about learning do I want them to understand so
they can be successful? In addition, I think my life can be thought of as my
civilization. How will I use learning to help me in all areas of life? This
made me really think about how I view learning and what about it is important
to me. This guided my definition and choice of artifacts.
For example, in my
life I love the excitement and joy of learning. That is what directly led me to
adding “joyful” to my definition and talking about the Theory of Relativity and
works by different composers. This excitement for learning is one thing that I
am passionate about, and I realized I would want any future civilization to
catch on to that as well. That’s what makes learning worthwhile and why we have
been blessed to able to do it. After all, our whole purpose on life and
eventual exaltation is to learn and grow, and the worst punishment reserved for
the devil is damnation, which can literally be thought about as being stopped
from progression and learning. Thus I think I can use these ideas of expansion,
personal agency, processes, joyfulness, perfection, and helping others to
approach learning in a whole new attitude and helping others to catch that
vision as well so that we may all progress and joyfully grow towards
perfection.
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| http://csr.enbridge.com/In-the-Community/ Community-Investment/Lifelong-Learning |
Semester 1
Learning, according to this definition, is happening often and broadly in my life. First of all, I am learning as I attend school. This is often viewed as more “traditional” learning. The most common step in school learning if often exposure to information. However, when things interest me, I tend to think about things and connect them more. For example, when I learned about the issue of school choice in my education class, I connected it with other arguments I had heard and other opinions I knew of. I was able to apply knowledge from a a different education class where we talk about dealing with students who are different and may struggle. This happened as I volunteered in an elementary class when a student was struggling, I was able to look at the situation better and apply what I had learned. Through this I became someone different and hopefully gained experience to help me continue to teach and serve better. In short, when I take learning to more parts of the cycle, I learn and grow more as a person as well.
I am also learning on a spiritual and personal level. During this process, I have to take action that may be less cut-and-dry than simply doing a homework assignment. For example, I have to apply a gospel principle in my life, strive to be more friendly with others, or work to become better at decision making. It involves numerous struggles. Sometimes I feel discouraged, stressed, and unsure about life. For example, during end of the semester I encounter struggles of time crunches, hard decisions, and stress. However, as I continue to learn, I discover new truths little by little. Recently I was reminded of and understood better an important gospel principle that helped me be happier. Through this I discovered how to work through stress to finish assignments. This allowed me to be happier and more able to serve others. Learning really is central to all that I do. That’s why I am having the experiences I have and the situations I have. That’s why we have come to Earth. I hope I can be more aware of the learning process in my life, because I think being aware and improving how I apply my concept of learning can help me learn better instead of just going through the motions. And that can lead to the greatest progress and happiness.
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