I've had the privilege to learn from and with so many great people over the years.
Here are seven ways I actively try keep learning.
1. "Surround yourself with good people and good things happen."
When it's not possible to see people in person... I use aggregators to collect rss feeds to find great ideas from innovative people. I currently use Twitter, Google Currents, Feedly and Feedler (mobile) to do so in a wide variety of subject areas.
2. Use Multiple Intelligences Often
I write a lot. I also keep smithing ideas with photo, video and visually to keep expanding my thinking, my ability to tell stories... and then to help others learn.
I write a lot. I also keep smithing ideas with photo, video and visually to keep expanding my thinking, my ability to tell stories... and then to help others learn.
3. Practice the Art of Simplicity
I actively use and seek to refine these basic design strategies in my work.
I actively use and seek to refine these basic design strategies in my work.
- i.e. for a presentation at Ignite VT in March, 2014 I needed a new visual summary of the work I did in the rLab with students... something to have on the screen while I spoke, and be informative enough for people to download later and still tell the story.
4. Travel !
Traveling in most any form helps you get out of your silo. In 2013 I traveled around the world (via a Rowland Fellowship) to seven countries looking at innovative student programs, schools, and leadership that fosters that culture. I learned a lot and made incredible contacts. I'll be synthesizing the data I collected for some time, publishing it and discussing it.
5. I keep writing to build ideas. There are two reasons.
I strive to seek out positive folks to help share and develop ideas. I collaborate as much as possible, especially with students. Listening is also part of collaboration (and, like reflection, could easily be another item here in this list).
7. Recharge
I try to keep in touch with friends, carve time out for my family where I'm fully present, and also find time to personally decompress. It's a difficult balance at times, especially with heavy traveling. Work, while fun and invigorating, is also exhausting at times. I try my best to compartmentalize work to help rekindle my energy, clear out my head, and stay active.
Traveling in most any form helps you get out of your silo. In 2013 I traveled around the world (via a Rowland Fellowship) to seven countries looking at innovative student programs, schools, and leadership that fosters that culture. I learned a lot and made incredible contacts. I'll be synthesizing the data I collected for some time, publishing it and discussing it.
5. I keep writing to build ideas. There are two reasons.
- How many great ideas have you lost? Like me, likely many over the years. For many years now I've tried jot down those crazy ideas that pop into my head. Writing them down helps me develop them. Often those scattered thoughts blossom into other ideas. I use my smartphone in a variety of ways to keep notes and also use an online sheet to keep ideas flowing.
- I keep redrafting ideas to clear out my own thinking. Also, reflecting on where I started and then ended up has really helped me learn.
I strive to seek out positive folks to help share and develop ideas. I collaborate as much as possible, especially with students. Listening is also part of collaboration (and, like reflection, could easily be another item here in this list).
7. Recharge
I try to keep in touch with friends, carve time out for my family where I'm fully present, and also find time to personally decompress. It's a difficult balance at times, especially with heavy traveling. Work, while fun and invigorating, is also exhausting at times. I try my best to compartmentalize work to help rekindle my energy, clear out my head, and stay active.
True learning is a moving target... so you have to keep moving forward ; )