Yesterday, it seemed like everything I did focused on adult education. First, I went with a friend to a satellite campus of Johns Hopkins University, where they offer specialized programs for adults who never earned their bachelor’s degree.
I was really impressed with what my alma mater was doing to reach out to this population, making it possible for them to fulfill something that, for many, is a life-long dream. Hopkins is not alone in providing programs like this. On line “universities” are a dime a dozen today, and not all of them equip a student with what they need to succeed.
My friend had investigated some of these, and found that they cost just about the same as the program offered by Johns Hopkins, which requires the students to attend classes vs. do everything on-line. I’m sure there are pluses and minuses to each, and for some people, on-line programs are the only viable way to achieve their goal of graduating. The key is to fully investigate the available options and make an informed decision.
My own experience with on-line courses has been pretty good. I just completed a year-long certification program through the University of Dayton. Although it was a lot of work, it was also enjoyable to go through the program with people from all over the country, meeting up in cyberspace each day.
When we walked out of the building yesterday, my friend was so excited about the opportunity. In my heart, I was even more excited for him. Isn’t it wonderful when you can see someone move a bit closer to fulfilling a long-held dream?
In the evening, I had a meeting with a group of people who help me with Adult Faith Formation at my church. We talked about all the ways we reach out to the adults of our community, giving them tools in which they can deepen their faith.
We recently began offering talks on cds, and they have been being snatched up quickly. There are a lot of commuters in our parish, so these cds will provide them with good formation during their drive to and from work. Why not use their time wisely?
I could go on and on about the benefits of adult education. I want to be a life-long learner. The world is changing so rapidly, and I think it’s important to remain stimulated and engaged. Learning something new, or going deeper into a subject you already know, can be source of inspiration and energy for your life.
Whether it’s attending a class or talk, reading a book about something that interests you, or signing up for an on-line course, just do it. Make the time in your already busy schedule and grow in knowledge. I don’t think you’ll regret it 🙂
