First, this is an ongoing book project, so the current content is just the start, not the finished, polished version. I want to make that clear for those who might think there is little to the first book version, just because it is short and covers what some of us already know. As a student, I see others who just don't think much about their learning approach. It's not too short; it's a starting point for both the project and the reader. It's not too shallow; it's respectful of the intended audience. Please remember that.
The content consists of twelve points organized two ways. The linear organization, front to back, is for those who are getting to know the approach, while the second, non-linear, organization is for those who are more familiar with the points. That's why at the end I suggest going back and rereading the points in the second order, so the reader can get more out of the same material.
Guidelines:
Dealing with Insanity, Play & Work Mentalities, Moderation
These are basic approach guidelines to give feedback on how we try to tackle anything we do. This kind of feedback empowers us to reflect on our efforts and contemplate the ways we can improvement them.
Skill Sets:
Communication, Contemplation, Creation
These skill sets are a way of thinking about skills to organize one's efforts. It's easier, at least to me, to think of them like this, and find they change the way I think about accomplishing goals. Through the use of skills we also have the opportunity to learn.
Learning Cycles:
Theory & Practice; Motivation, Effort & Goals; Eureka
These learning cycles are a way to look at learning as a whole, without dealing with all the details of specific implementations. By cutting out the details and complications we can give ourselves a starting point for our learning.
Personality Traits:
Selflessness, Work Ethic, Open Mindedness
These personality traits are something to aim for to improve our effectiveness, and ourselves as human beings. In a way these are like a second set of guidelines, but these are as much what you do as how you express yourself through your actions.
Each of those sections has three points in a relative order to match the motto, "Be real, have fun with it and smell the roses." The first makes sure you are honest and in touch with reality. The second deals with how you can get things done in a less stressful way, thus enjoying it more. The third has to do with stepping back and taking a look around rather than continuing with your nose to the grindstone.
Using this set of points I hope to be able to help learners of all ages and walks of life to become better learners and problems solvers. One way is through the educational resource framework I've talked about, which interestingly matches well with this essay by Stephen Downes titled "Models for Sustainable Educational Resources". Another is the creation of small, local groups using the twelve points in learning, but non-class, activities, though possibly school related.
This is related to my repeated applications to The Mind Trust's Educational Entrepreneur Fellowship. Right now I'm waiting for a response to my latest application attempt, which includes the use of the book project discussed above. While I wait, I figure it's a good time to share the content and to get feedback on it.
If you are interested in the book project, there are a couple ways to show your interest. One is telling me in the comments here. Another is going to the Legacy Of Lore blog and using either the comments or contact form there. A third way is to sign up for the book interest e-mail list. For that, check out the little sign up thing below. Just to let you know, it will send you to the book project post on the LOL project blog after signing up.
Have fun, spread the word and tell me what you think,
Igen Oukan
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