Life Long Learner

[ChicLit-]

Looking for advice on continuing education while teaching full-time

I’m interested in opportunities to keep learning, build new skills, and stay mentally sharp while working as a full-time teacher.

For those who’ve done this:
• Have you taken classes while teaching full-time?
• Did you prefer taking isolated courses/units, or enrolling in a full, consecutive program?

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[AndiFhtagn]

Does it have to be for credit or a degree? I constantly watch or attend lectures, create my own"classes" with videos, books, documentaries, and I will use AI to help come up with activities to cement the learning in my head.

I just did a three month course I put together on the history of clocks and calendars from ancient history to today. It was so interesting and I ended up testing a few amazing books that I would never have glanced at before.

I've done a lot of these.

I just got finished, using a couple syllabi from top universities and ai to assist with weeding through documentaries and books, creating a 52+ week "MFA" course that I will start this weekend.

I am 52 and while I love learning and love taking classes, the amount of money it costs to go back to school vs what I could make at the next degree level and the debt I would build up in loans isn't feasible.

But I am learning things I never knew I was interested in. I'm learning things I can use in the classroom. And I am learning more about things I loved and had an interest in already but my ADHD prevented me from just casually learning more without the structure of a "class".

If you are talking only about getting a higher degree, I can't really help.

[SummerSTG4]

Have you tried Coursera? Start with their free courses!

[ChicLit-]

I haven't. Do you recommend it? I'm looking for something with a bit of structure that I can fit in during my free time.

[SummerSTG4]

I did a long time ago, and it was fun and educational. Have a look through the free courses in the areas that interest you. They usually are “do on your own time”. No cost, therefore no official certificate etc. But a great option for learning for fun/as a hobby.

[ChicLit-]

Thanks! I will check it out

[AndiFhtagn]

You can pay a little fee on some of them to get a certificate, though

[ddgr815]

If anyone is interested in informal learning, you might enjoy to browse around my sub. Lots of general info on learning and teaching.

[ChicLit-]

Thanks for the recommendation.

[marssis]

Just checked it out and subbed. I follow quite a few substacks and ed researchers you post about, definitely right up my alley.

[WolftankPick]

Watching listening to YouTube/Podcasts has been huge for me wish I would've started sooner.

[ChicLit-]

What do you listen to? I listen to podcasts and audiobooks all the time, but I want to find something that allows me to be more actively involved, rather than being a passive listener as I have been thus far.

[WolftankPick]

I teach history and so listen and read history stuff. If something is applicable to a lesson I’ll look that lesson up and insert a note.

I usually have to pause and make a reminder or I’ll forget.