Dadamac learners: social, online, self-directed, habitual and lifelong (via @Pamela_McLean)

Posted by David Jennings on January 12, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

Dadamac (http://www.dadamac.net/) works in Education and Development in Africa, connecting people in the UK (and elsewhere) with their grass-roots social networks in Africa and our online community. Here Pamela McLean (@Pamela_McLean) outlines the practical characteristics of her own learning, and asks, Are you a Dadamac learner? (I’m pretty sure I am)

Clipped from dadamac.posterous.com

“Dadamac Learners” is an emergent group – made up of people who:

learn in a self-directed kind on way

are learning about things relevant to Dadamac

Why I started to use the term Dadamac Learner

I have coined the term Dadamac Learner  to describe the kind of learning that I do through my Dadamac activities. In the past I have variously described myself as a Life Long Learner, a Self Directed Learner, an On-line Learner, a Social Learner and so on. The problem with such descriptions is that people already have their own understanding of what those terms mean – and we don’t always mean the same thing. This leads to confusion. My solution, for 2011 onwards, is to describe myself as a Dadamac Learner – and exactly what a Dadamac Learner is will gradually become clear.

Some more characteristics of a Dadamac Learner

A Dadamac Learner

sees continual learning as a natural part of life (i.e. a fulfilling life is not “intellectually stuck in a rut” it is an ongoing learning experience – a life-long “learning-journey”)

values the educational opportunities of online networks for sharing ideas, discussing things, and generally “thinking-aloud”

is driven by personal interests and a need-to-know – not by some externally devised curriculum or accreditation system

is interested in sharing what is being learned with others, so that we are learning from each other

is ready to share questions and ignorance as well as answers and knowledge

shares useful resources with other Dadamac Learners

accepts that “doing set courses and gaining certificates” may be a part of a learning journey – but it is not the actual leaning journey

uses the internet as a key part of their personal “learning journey” (this can include using resources that are seen as “online learning”- but the networking aspect is more important)

I hope that as 2011 goes by I will see more people “joining me” and describing themselves as Dadamac Learners. Read more at dadamac.posterous.com

 

Filed under Beyond the First World · Tagged with Africa, dadamac, dadamac learner, learning, Pamela McLean, people