Adult Education - Ready? Steady? Go!

Are you ready?
Ever since you can remember you've been telling your friends and family that one day you'd love to improve your basic skills in numeracy or literacy or computing; take up this language or master that musical instrument; graduate with a degree in theology, Anglo-Saxon history or astrophysics. And now that day is at hand!

Perhaps your children have flown the nest or you've been promoted at work - whatever the reason, you realise that for the first time in aeons you seem to have the time, the money and the inclination to realise your dream.

But, enthusiastic as I am about adult education, I am also conscious that many mature students never finish their studies. Sometimes this is due to sudden and unforeseen circumstances such as family illness, bereavement or redundancy. However, often students “drop out” for more straightforward reasons: they run out of money, they fall behind with their studies or they lose interest.

As Christians, we know that Jesus expects His followers to finish what they start. Concerning the cost of Christian discipleship Jesus said:

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish' ” (Luke 14: 28-30).

I believe Jesus' words of wisdom are equally applicable to many other aspects of our lives - family and friendship; work and career; study and learning.

So, whether your fancy has been tickled by hospitality and catering or oil painting, you'll need to consider carefully whether you can complete the task you've set for yourself. You certainly don't want to waste money, cause hassle at home or feel downright foolish because you couldn't finish what you started. Adult learning should add something to your life, not detract from it! After all, who wants a PhD if the real cost involves damaging a marriage or causing illness or bankruptcy?

And, if you think immersing yourself in learning will help you survive a relationship that is already struggling, you're probably wrong. Right now, you probably need to make an appointment with a marriage counsellor not a university admissions tutor. On the other hand, studying with a friend or partner can be fun. A few years ago my wife and I attended evening classes together to learn BSL (British Sign Language). We laughed and learned together and we loved every minute of it!

Are you steady?
Okay, you're a sensible, level-headed individual. You see adult learning as a way to embrace life in all its fullness and face up to reality (rather than run away from it), but ... what should you do next?

Stop. Think. Take time to prayerfully work through the following nine questions:

1. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN?   First aid? Russian literature? Modern Hebrew? Brick laying? Reflect on whether your chosen area of study is really going to enthuse you for the entire duration of the course. (Why not track down someone who has recently studied exactly what you want to study and ask them as many questions as you can. Ask them: if they were to repeat their experience what, if anything, might they be tempted to do differently.)

2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEARN?   Perhaps you'd love to improve your qualifications; stretch your mind; expand your horizons; learn a new skill. But what is going to motivate you towards achieving your goal when the going gets tough? Is it the thought of being able to do something you can't do now? Or helping your children with their homework? Or training others at your place of work with the new competencies you'll acquire? Do you want to save money by fixing your own car, or building your own wall? Or will this qualification catapult you onwards and upwards in your career? Maybe you simply want to get out and make new friends. (And why not?!)

3. WHERE WILL YOU LEARN?   What do you know about the course providers? Start by visiting relevant websites / sending off for up-to-date prospectuses. Compare and contrast the different courses and the different course providers. Weigh up the pros and cons. Do you want to study near home or far away? (Why?)

4. HOW WILL YOU LEARN?   Different people seem to prefer learning in different ways (as explained by contemporary theories of “Preferred Teaching and Learning Styles” and “Multiple Intelligences”). Do you prefer to learn by reading about things or by doing things? On your own or as part of a group? Would you prefer to study on a full-time or a part-time basis? Will you live at college or university or will you commute from home?

5. HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE ASSESSED?   Do you want your studies to lead to a nationally or internationally recognised qualification? If not, that's fine. But if you do, you'll need to consider how you would like to be assessed? By sitting a final exam? Submitting a written thesis at the end of the course? Delivering a lively Power-Point presentation to your peers? Or is “continuous assessment” (where coursework is marked on an ongoing basis) more your cup of tea?

6. WHEN WILL YOU LEARN?   Consider how much time you can really commit to your learning project. (There's a world of difference between studying for one evening a week for a year and being able to dedicate three whole days a week for five years.) Ask yourself what impact this would have on other areas of your life: family, church, work, social and leisure.

7. WHERE WILL YOU STUDY/PRACTICE?   If you plan to study at home, will you need access to an Internet-connected computer? If you have children, who will look after them whilst you study? Where will you keep all your books? Where will you practice with your chosen instrument? Where will you store your tools or equipment?

8. HOW MUCH WILL IT ALL COST?   Budget how much money you and your family can afford to spend on course fees, travel expenses (will there be a residential component to the course?) and study resources (academic books, musical instruments and computer hardware alike can prove to be expensive).

9. ARE YOU READY TO CHANGE?   The process of learning changes the learner. Whilst many people find this aspect of learning fulfilling and rewarding, some find the process quite unnerving and threatening. Are you ready to be challenged and changed by being exposed to new ideas and new ways of thinking and working?

Go!
So, now you've carefully and prayerfully weighed up your options. You've come to a decision. And you're ready to go the distance and achieve your learning goal.

Apparently, one of the events in the Ancient Greek Olympics involved running with a lighted torch. The winner was not the first athlete to complete the distance, but the first to finish with their torch alight.

All things considered, can you complete your chosen course of study with your torch ablaze? And, having done that, are you ready to set the world alight with your newly developed talents? (Now ... that reminds me of a parable ...)

May our God bless you and honour your efforts; turning a life long yearning into Life Long Learning ... for His service. 

This item was printed in full in the following publication:

Methodist Recorder (19 September 2002)