Graduation or Publication

A few weeks ago, I attended my graduation to complete my Ph.D. in Adult Learning and Leadership from Kansas State University. I know that it is supposed to be meaningful and impactful, and I appreciate all of the support from my friends, families, and colleagues, but the truth is, it wasn't for me that I sat there and then walked across the stage. It was for them. 

Personally, if you want to reward me for my hard work, you should give me a week off. Why? I don't know. I'm just not wired to be the direct center of attention. Walking across that stage, makes me a direct center of attention. Indirect? I'm fine with. Direct? Pass. 

What does this have to do with writing novels or publication? Let me tell you.

Research in Learning Technology

Last week I had another publishing win (see HERE). This time it came via a peer-reviewed journal. Last year, I submitted an article to a peer-reviewed journal out of the UK, Research in Learning Technology. 

In January or so, I got a letter that told me they had accepted it for publication. There has never been a moment where I felt more fulfilled in what I've been doing than in that moment. 

An Inspiring First Line

 So I read a few months back, forgot to post this, but it’s a great resource. Might be the best yet in this journey. I've already cited this book twice (see here and here), but that should only show you how great a resource it is. 

The first line is inspirational.

Throughout the ages, people have pursued the upper limits of their capabilities. They have answered the call to adventure, learning, and high achievement. Completing the dissertation journey is an adventure in learning and personal growth, the outcome of which can result in extraordinary accomplishment and contribution. Unquestionably, obtaining a doctorate degree (e.g., EdD, PhD, DBA, etc.) is the summit of academia—the highest degree any university can bestow. This journey to “doctor” is difficult, with obstacles and demands along the way; however, once completed, the pride and exultation are a lifelong affirmation.

The Dissertation Journey - Roberts, Carol M.,Hyatt, Laura 

Write Everyday

My colleague, Anne, and I were on a team recently, and she brought up a great line from our book. She wrote that we as students writing our dissertation need to write from the “outset of their study.” 

Although I was not struck by that particular line and page as Anne was saying, but I will say that I have heard similar advice from many people in my journey so far. The most prescient being "write a little everyday." I might not be following that to a "T" just yet, but I am "moving forward every week." 

Self-Directed Learning

Recently read a list of strengths and weaknesses of adult learning in terms of self-directed learning. I recently wrote a blog post discussing Blanchard's Situational Leadership model and Grow's Stages of Self-Directed Learning (SSDL) model (see here). Grow's Four Stages of a Self-Directed Learning Model (SSDL) espouses a theory of adult development from Dependent, to Interested, then Involved, and finally Self-Directed (2020). Several things about your post in comparison to Grow's SSDL caught my eye.

First, I really liked that almost all of the strengths were balanced with weaknesses. It's an acknowledgment that there are no absolutes and that these statements are not as clear cut as they might seem. However, the strengths that caught my eye were a quote that stated, "Adults are more inclined to seek and acquire knowledge," which was immediately counterbalanced by the weakness "not all adults are ready to learn" among others.

The other strength I read was, "Adults are generally self-directed, life-long learners who have a unique concept of self." This one is where I would argue that Grow's SSDL comes into play. Not all adults are or will make it to that stage of Self-Directed learning. It's incumbent on us as teachers, trainers, and facilitators to model our styles to meet their specific needs at the stage they happen to be in.

It's important as trainers that we model our training to the needs of the student. Just as we as writers need to change our writing based on the type and needs of the reader, and we need to model our leadership based on our employee's needs. If we don't do these things, then we risk not being as effective as necessary.

Teach Thought Staff. (2020). Four Stages of a Self-Directed Learning Model. Teach Thought. https://www.teachthought.com/learning/the-four-stages-of-the-self-directed-learning-model/