It’s interesting how ideas can find a convergence from related, but separate contexts. Today, and over the next few days,
- an academic term ends at Walden,
- I lead a discussion on educational technology strategy for our Masters of Public Health and Health Care Administration programs,
- and my writing partner and co producer at “Dispatches from the Graduate Classroom”, Dr. Ann York, and I return a text book chapter to our editors.
At the end of the term at Walden, our mentor, Dr, Roberta McKnight, has posted a series of questions about self-directed learning. The group of PhD students who share Dr. McKnight as a mentor discussion formal and informal academic questions as we each work independently on our research writing.
Walden’s approach is unique, and doctoral students spend time working independently on Knowledge Area Modules (KAM)….an opportunity to make a very self directed in depth study of topics as they relate to social change.
I have been a self directed learner much of my adult life, but I recognize that it is new and even uncomfortable for some. The ideas of being a self directed learner have impacts both on our strategy for future graduate education, and what Ann and I discuss in our monthly podcasts. This idea of self directed learning intrigues me.
My first KAM looks at individualism and collectivism. If you have read Bowling Alone, Putnam suggests we’re less involved socially than in years past. More of us bowl, but fewer of us join leagues. As society modernizes (think Web 2.0) are we promoting individualism? or Collectivism? Is our social network really as big and influential as the number of friends on our MySpace or Facebook pages? Or are we really more alone?
How does that impact they way we will reach out to learners in the future? Are they more self directed?
Tomorrow I share my thoughts with our faculty during our strategic planning sessions.
