Reflection On Informal Education

Learning Autobiography (LAB #1):

Formal and Informal Educational Experiences

My formal education was limited by internal and external forces. I will explore the effect of these influences. I will describe events from elementary and middle school that shaped my opinion of education, and why I did not see the importance of it. I will reflect on how my poor attitude and the indifference of the adults around me set the course for road I would take.

I will examine my informal education and consider the implications of my life choices. I will explain some of the things I learned. Performing this kind of reflective examination is a valuable way to determine where I want to go in my career and how a degree fits into the plan. Finally, I will share

They taught fifth and sixth grade. All three of these teachers came from the same school and regularly combined their classes for lessons. They shared their free periods and came outside to play with us every day at recess. Of course, some kids were better at physical activity than others, but these teachers made sure no one was felt inferior. It was the only time I ever enjoyed school recess.

Self as a Life Learner

I recognize traits of myself in the results of the Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire, developed by Richard M. Felder and Barbara A. Solomon from North Carolina State University (n.d.). I like to learn facts and pay attention to the details of things. I absorb information better when it is on paper. I learn most subjects easily if I have written material and enough time to study. I have also identified some weaknesses. I struggle with spatial and innovative thinking.

My preference for individual learning and working within established guidelines is evident in my results of the Humanmetrics Jung Typology Test TM (n.d.). These strengths will benefit me during on-line learning courses. My work experience will help in the accounting, administration, ethics, and management classes. I will have to work much harder in the economics, marketing, psychology, and Spanish

I see parallels in my experiences with the topics in the YouTube videos, Plato’s allegory of the cave by Alex Gardner (March 2015) and Chimamanda Adichie’s, The danger of a single story (July 2009). I felt like I was thrust into a whole new world and could not believe what my eyes were showing me. I closed my mind to new ideas and opinions, perpetuating the stereotypes I had learned.

Now, I try to look at my tragedy in a more positive light. I tell myself that she decided to look over me as my angel. I learned in therapy that it did not have anything to do with me. She had a mental illness and could not think rationally. Watching my children grow up, I used to get very angry at her. I could not imagine leaving them, regardless of my despair. I too, have mental conditions and am grateful that I have so much more support than she did.

Conclusion

I am motivated by my own story. While most of it seems like a sad story, it is actually very inspiring. Overcoming such an awful situation is a huge accomplishment. I think I will perform at a high level because I appreciate the opportunity in front of me. I intend to review the learning assessments that I have completed, identify ways to improve all my intelligences and practice any tips I learn to increase my knowledge