Life Long Learning

By trudy chiswell

I love September! All the college, university, and local community centres have their course selections out for the fall. I can sit down with a cup of tea and plan what I'm going to learn this winter. What about you? Are you planning on signing up for a program or course this fall?

I became committed to lifelong learning in the 90s after going back to school to accomplish my grade 12 diploma and then on to a three year diploma in college. I'm addicted to it! I love to learn something new and hope I will keep that attitude until I keel over. Life is too fascinating to just sit back and vegetate!

Lifelong learning was coined as long ago as 1970 but became really popular in the 90s. It came to international attention in research studies, as European and North American governments realized that to keep pace with the rapid advance of technology, their workforce also needed to continue learning or become redundant. At the beginning of defining Lifelong Learning it was focused on the economic outcomes, but as time progressed they began to realize there was much more to it than that. Lifelong Learning is defined as everything we learn throughout our lives from cradle to grave; from early childhood to the care and training of older workers.

It can happen in formal educational institutions, community centres, union centres or vocational skills acquired in the workplace that lead to diplomas or certificates. Learning also happens in non-formal settings such as our daily life activities related to our families. I didn't realize this until I went back to get my grade 12 diploma and got credits for life experience. I also found my brain was more receptive to learn when I went back to school in mid-life. My focus was different.

We used to think that once we finished formal education, we were done with school, and we just got on with the business of work and living life. But technology began to rapidly advance; not every six years, but every few months. If you are of retirement age, ask yourself how many FIRSTS you have seen in your lifetime? I have seen typewriters become computers; cell phones went from huge monstrosities to ones that fit in the palm of a hand, and people text or email now instead of writing a letter or faxing something. Change has been rapid! Governments and educators had to convince workers that to continue learning was an essential part of their work life, or they would soon be redundant in the work place. The job market became more competitive and Lifelong Learning helped people keep up with the latest technology.

As this concept advanced, universities did studies on the benefits of Lifelong Learning and surprising results were revealed. There were obvious social economic advantages to the investment in human capital that benefited society as a whole. They discovered there were many personal benefits when a person was committed to Lifelong Learning. It not only sharpens a person's confidence and interpersonal skills, but it also sharpens the mind. Research shows that as a person gets older, continuous learning helps to keep the mind sharp and improves memory. It is a known fact that learning in general has beneficial effects on the brain.

A Mayo Clinic study states, "Cognitive vitality is essential to quality of life and survival in old age. Cognitive decline is clearly not inevitable. Human studies suggest that lifelong learning, mental and physical exercise, continuing social engagement, stress reduction, and proper nutrition may be important factors in promoting cognitive vitality in aging. Various therapeutics, including cognitive enhancers and protective agents such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatories, may prove useful and an adjunct for the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline with aging."

So, what are you signing up for this fall? James Bay and Victoria have lots for you to choose from.

Me? In September 2015, I am going to live at Capernwray Bible School on Thetis Island for 8 months to be immersed in Bible study and consider the direction for this chapter of my life. People ask me, "Why I would want to do this at 71?" My answer is, "Why not!" I'm committed to lifelong learning and I have an amazing opportunity that has opened up before me. I just have to step through the door. I never dreamed a year ago that God would open up a place to live, new friends, and now an opportunity to go to Bible school at my age. Some people think that when they retire, it is the end of an active life. I haven't found that! Wanting to be active and learning right to the end, I'm curious as to what adventure God has before me. So, today I will be still and trust that the God of the Universe knows what my future will be and it will be OK.

Except for two other students my age, I will be immersed in a group of students under 25. So, your roving reporter will be reporting to you remotely about this next adventure in learning.

REFRENCES: 2002 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education & Research. Published by Elsevier Inc –Benefits of lifelong learning by Elsevier, Procedia- Social & Behavioral Sciences 46(2012)4268-4272 – CanLearn (2009) Continuing Education, Canada