THE LIFELONG LEARNING SECTOR

Developing and Managing Resources within the Lifelong learning Sector

Developing and Managing Resources within the Lifelong learning Sector

Introduction

Many believe that education and the process of lifelong learning is not important, but in reality, learning enables one to continually reflect upon and improve his or her personal and professional growth. Today's society is in a constant flux; change is prevalent and these changes encompass ones personal and professional experiences. “They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself” (Warhol, 1975, p 113).

Lifelong learning begins with one's ability to change. One must embrace change through lifelong learning which improves ones critical thinking and decision-making skills. As one nears the end of the University of Phoenix bachelor's program, he or she must reflect upon his or her personal and professional life prior to beginning the program, evaluate the growth that students experience during the University of Phoenix program of study, and evaluate the impact of competing the university program on future and professional goals. One's past, present and future-learning endeavours serve to teach the learner to embrace lifelong learning with an eye towards improving ones active learning through critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Past

A reflection of one's past enables individuals to determine his or her state of mind prior to beginning a University program. One must ask oneself how he or she felt about the role of learning and its importance on one's personal growth and development; review one's professional competence in problem solving, written and oral communications skills, information retrieval, utilization, and collaboration. Finally, one must consider how his or her career goals played a part in the decision to begin the University of Phoenix program.

Learning and Personal Growth and Development

Many feel that the onus of learning and personal growth and development as the responsibilities of his or her employer, while others see learning and personal growth and development as an individual goal that will ensure continued success in one's personal life and the workplace. Paul and Elder (2002) reveal, “The world in which we now live requires that we continually relearn, that we routinely rethink our decisions, and that we regularly re-evaluate the way we work and live” (p. 1). In short, one must constantly strive to enhance ones knowledge in order to be empowered with the skills needed to point one's life towards the course of enhanced personal growth and development.

One must actively decide to set aside the restrictions and bias imposed by ones “family members, teachers, acquaintances, business associates” (p. 13) in order to achieve one's own personal success. As such, pursuing a college education is, for many, a starting point with which to understand the importance of learning to one's personal growth and development.

Professional Competence

Professional competence, encompassed by problem solving, written and oral communication skills, information retrieval and utilization, and collaboration is often the bar by which employers make judgments relative to ones professional life. The achievement of one's professional competence is an essential part of the lifelong learning ...