How do you learn when you retire?

Three
years ago, I came across the statement “Who we are is how we learn.” It
suggests that our identity, background, and experiences influence how we learn.
As I was thinking about what a person can do when they retire, learning
something new is a great idea. When I was teaching at the University, I taught
a class on learning how to learn. This helped students who were new to learning
to understand how they learned. Each of us is a unique individual with our own
set of experiences, beliefs, values, and cultural backgrounds. These individual
differences influence how we perceive, process, and engage with information and
knowledge. To me, this is what made teaching so much fun.

I was
lucky in that my mom and her family came from an Eastern European background
and my dad and his family came from a British-American background. This
provided some interesting perspectives on how each of my parents engaged with
information and knowledge. A person’s cultural background can affect their
learning style. Cultural norms, values, and practices can affect how
individuals approach education, problem-solving, and communication. Recognizing
and respecting these cultural differences is essential for effective teaching
and learning.

 I learn
best by watching someone do and then reading instructions. You have your own
unique way of learning. Our learning experiences affect how we think and learn.
For example, if you had a bad prior success in mathematics, you may believe
that math is not your best subject and you may approach it with anxiety.

 A
student’s background can affect their resources, education, and home support in
some places. In BC, the same resources are available to students in all
socioeconomic situations. However, home support is important and it may be
missing for some students.

 Gender,
race, sexuality, and disability shape students’ perception of themselves in the
learning environment. A positive self-concept can enhance motivation and
engagement, while negative self-perceptions can hinder learning.

 We know
different individuals have different learning styles and preferences. Some of
us may excel in visual learning, while others may prefer hands-on, experiential
learning. Understanding and accommodating these preferences can enhance the
learning experience. As you begin your Retirement journey, review the unique
way you learn. We all have unique goals and aspirations that drive our
learning. It may motivate some people to excel, while others may focus on skill
development or personal growth..

 By
valuing our diverse backgrounds and experiences, we can create an inclusive
learning environment. The creation of this environment promotes personal growth
and success.

Originally Published on https://boomersnotsenior.blogspot.com/

Royce Shook Blogger

I served as a teacher, a teacher on Call, a Department Head, a District Curriculum, Specialist, a Program Coordinator, and a Provincial Curriculum Coordinator over a forty year career. In addition, I was the Department Head for Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a professor both online and in person at the University of Phoenix (Canada) from 2000-2010.

I also worked with Special Needs students. I gave workshops on curriculum development and staff training before I fully retired