LO's in Higher Education LO19471

Stephanie A Ranta (rantas@pilot.msu.edu)
Fri, 9 Oct 1998 14:41:56 -0400 (EDT)

Responding to Artur Silva LO19431

In our discussion of LO's in Higher Education, you wrote: "The main
question, I think, is how to develop a "passion for learning" and a
"passion for dialogue and communication."

This is a key point, not only for institutions of higher education, but
for all organizations.

Up to this point, it seems to me, that a large portion of the discussion
revolving around LO's in higher education concerns classroom teaching.
What I'm curious about is the learning that goes on outside of the
classroom. Granted that universities are large institutions, but how can
a learning experience occur when a student talks with a janitor or a
secretary? How does one go about developing a pasion for learning? how
do we, at an institution, convey this thought to people or staff who
aren't interested in learning?

How does one engage others to pursue professional development when some
just aren't interested and you cannot fire that person because s/he is
unionized?

Lastly, as I learn about LOs, it seems that if a true LO were to exist,
the amount of time spent on dialoguing, learning etc., might be quite
considerable. How does one balance this with their "job description?"
I'm think of the secretary, janitor, or student worker, that the student
will interact with to ask a question about something. The employee is
pressured to finish his/her job responisbilities and has deadlines to
meet, yet at the same time is suppose to take time for the student.. If
this employee spend times really helping the student and learning with the
student, wouldn't this time infringe on their deadlines and how do you
balance betwen the two?

Thanks for your insights!

Stephanie

-- 

"Stephanie A Ranta" <rantas@pilot.msu.edu>

Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>