s1Hs912017 Module 2- Let's Read: How to Design a Personal Lifelong Leaming Plan Let’s Read How to Design a Personal Lifelong Learning Plan ‘As you reflect on Einstein's quote, I am sure you will agree with him that acquisition of learning may indeed take us a lifetime. You have already learned in the previous section that one of the ways you can acquire such learning is, through formal learning in an educational institution, informal learning through courses, and non-formal learning through multimedia channels lke the internet. Have you ever given a thought to designing your own personal lifelong learning plan? Or are you like most teachers who function on a “what they require for the present” plan and are thus satisfied if they have earned a university degree and are currently employed in a job that pays them a relatively good salary? What is a personal lifelong learning plan? A lifelong learning plan is a written, well-thought of strategy to continuously gain, absorb, and build skills and knowledge and apply these throughout the life of an individual. As learning should be an essential and indivisible portion of our daily lives, it is necessary for you to develop your own plan to constantly acquire knowledge and skills that you can use for your everyday life. ‘The lifelong learning plan is sometimes called a learning contract. It differs from the typical contract like a housing loan contract in two respects. First, it exists between and binds the person who created it, and himself/herself. In this, ase, it is you yourself since there is no other second party involved. Second, you must be willing to adhere to what you have put into this plan, and at the same time, be conscious of changing situations that might require adjustments as the plan takes effect and new learning needs and priorities emerge. Before you set out to write your personal lifelong learning plan, you will need to prepare yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. Use the following considerations as guidelines to help you do so: 1. Make a personal commitment to lifelong learning and treat it like a lifetime journey, 2. Make this journey a fruitful one by continually learning something new all the time, 3. Maximize your resources. Utilize your time, energy and, perhaps, finances to the fullest, 4, Maximize your learning environments, Identify settings that are able to support and inspire you, both inside and outside your home. Besides the library, can the park, fast food outlets, coffee shops, or a shopping complex be just as stimulating for learning? psitex innotech.org/GURO2t/Module2it_27 hil 1s1Hs912017 Module 2- Let's Read: How to Design a Personal Lifelong Leaming Plan 5. Know how you learn. Identify your learning patterns, such as when and how often you need a short break from learning, What is your learning style? How do you process information? Do you like reading aloud, or do You prefer silent reading instead? How do you find peer discussion? 6. Maximize your mental ability. Engage in analytical, critical, and creative thinking to train your mind to process, store, and retrieve the information it receives. Use frequent mental exercises such as brain gym to strengthen it as well as make it flexible. 7. Anchor on the power of words to form ideas. When you are engaged in a writing activity, such as an essay or article, regard it as a chance for you to express your ideas. 8, Enhance your retention of facts and ideas. Listen to a book on tape, rex write, and transfer the content to your long-term memory. Exhibit mastery by applying it to other daily life situations, 9.Be aware of and value individual differences with respect to ‘communication styles and learning styles. This will facilitate your personal growth, open your mind, and develop your perceptual experiences. 10. Look after your physical and mental health as they influence your learning. Address health challenges, such as workplace stress, as soon you experience loss of appetite, sleeping difficulty, or prolonged anxiety. 11. Chart your iifelong learning course. In order to maximize your time, energy, and focus, itis recommended that you follow these steps: (Select a learning theme for the year. For example: "By the end of the year, I will have mastered three classroom best practices.”. (i) Subdivide your theme into several topics and include a time frame, For example, “January April: Technological pedagogical approach, ssuch as online forum, May-August: Classroom management, such as implementing a behavioral contract with students who misbehave, September-December: Authentic assessment, such as designing rubrics to grade student portfolios.” (ii) Create 2 journal to jot down your ideas for the following year. For example: "Next year, I will do an action research to improve student participation in the classroom.” (iv) Review every six months to decide what new ideas to work on in the next six months. For example: “Based on student feedback, students in other classes should be allowed access to view but not allowed to contribute toward the online forum discussion, This is to facilitate knowledge dissemination to other interested parties.” ‘The process of creating your personalized lifelong learning plan involves the following steps (European Society of Association Executives, 2007): 1. Identification of your existing knowledge, skills, competencies, and qualifications. What do you already have? What do you still need to acquire or further develop? 2. Identification of non-formal and informal learning activities and ‘opportunities available. What learning activities are available? psitex innotech.org/GURO2t/Module2it_27 hils1Hs912017 Module 2- Let's Read: How to Design @ Personal Lifelong Leaming Plan 3, Assessment of the suitability of said activities to your needs and interests, Will the available learning activities enable you to acquire or enhance the knowledge, skills, competencies, and qualifications that you need? Do the activities match your needs? Here you have to consider if resources (e.9., funding) are available for the learning activities. 4. Availment of suitable non-formal and informal learning activity/ ies. Once you have assessed the learning activities and found them beneficial to you, it’s time to avail of them, 5. Self-evaluation of learning acquired. Were your learning expectations met by the activities? ‘The following questions may gi ‘opportunities: Je you further in assessing learning 1. What kind of lifelong learning program is this plan for - a formal continuing education program or a self-directed learning activity? What is the time frame for the selected program/activity? . Does this program/activity satisfy my personal needs? Professional needs? . What will be its impact on my professional practice? Student learning? . Will I have the support of the school administration? . What are some of the potential barriers when I undertake this learning activity and how can I overcome this? ‘Are you excited to try your hand at designing a personal lifelong learning plan? If so, then accomplish Activity 148. ‘Sun Nov 19 2017 15:33:20 GMT-0800 (Pacific Standard Time) psitex innotech.org/GURO2t/Module2it_27 hil