Options for Life Long Learning
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Options for Life Long Learning Source of Learning Examples Types of Information Advantages Disadvantages Provided Traditional Forms of Education: (Formal Learning – Leads Towards College Credit) See Document: “Types of Schools” for more detailed information Community Colleges Cypress College, Mt. Formal training which Open access, technically Formal learning is SAC, Los Angeles City can lead to an means anyone can attend usually structured and Colleges (California Associate’s degree, or college regardless of individuals need to adapt community colleges) equivalent level of their background. to commitment certificates in various Students have more requirements. State vocational (skills-based) flexibility of courses of institutions are affected training; and first-two study than many other by political, economic years of general options. and legal issues. State education classes which schools are more likely will lead to a bachelor’s (but not guaranteed) to degree. possess minimum levels of accreditation since it is expected. State Supported California State Formal academic Less expensive than Formal learning is Colleges/Universities. Universities (CSU) degrees: Bachelor’s, private schools. Makes usually structured and University of California Master’s, and Doctorate. higher education more individuals need to adapt (UC) (Most schools also have accessible to the general to commitment a “continuing public. requirements. State education/non-credit” institutions are affected division as well.) by political, economic and legal issues. State schools are more likely (but not guaranteed) to possess minimum levels of accreditation since it Lifelong Learning Options Source of Learning Examples Types of Information Advantages Disadvantages Provided is expected. Private Schools USC, Claremont Training in programs Private schools are not Usually more expensive Colleges, Chapman that are consistent with regulated by state laws than state-supported University the mission and values to the same extent as equivalents. of the school. Private public schools, so they Accreditation should not colleges and universities often have the freedom be assumed since they are more likely to and flexibility to are not regulated by the emphasize a “liberal respond and adapt as state government. arts” education (i.e. needed to trends. May Appropriate general education) over not be as affected by accreditations should be skills-based education political, economic, verified. programs. governmental and legal issues. Religious Schools Biola University, Training in their Good for individuals Usually more expensive Religious schools are Brigham Young religious views and who want to incorporate than state-supported always private since the University, Azusa often offer specific their faith and religious equivalents. government cannot Pacific University, professional career values in to their Accreditation is not as endorse any form of Loyola Marymount. preparation programs education. May not be likely to exist since they religion (i.e. separation such as psychology as affected by political, are not regulated by the of church and state). economic, governmental state government. and legal issues. Individuals who don’t embrace the religious teachings of the particular school may not be well suited to the school’s culture or mission. Vocational Schools ITT Technical Institute Training for specific Good for individuals Technical skills-based DeVry University skills-based careers, who want job- education is often not UTI such as medical preparation, skills-based transferrable to other assistant, computer training only, and don’t careers or to four-year 2 Rev: 3/14/11 Lifelong Learning Options Source of Learning Examples Types of Information Advantages Disadvantages Provided technician, automotive want to spend much time colleges and universities. repair, etc. These can or energy on general Lowered admissions also include police and education type classes. criteria may lead to fire academies May offer easier higher dropout rates admissions criteria. since students may not be ready for the academic challenges. Non‐Traditional Forms of Education: (Non‐College Credit Learning) Mass Media New York Times, LA General, introductory, Learning about trends Information is basic, (General, Introductory Times, USA Today, basic information of and keeping up on generally not useful for Information) CNN, Nightly News, interest to the general current events. experts and other Local News public. “opinion leaders”. Online Search Engines Google, Wikipedia, etc. General, introductory, May give introductory Cannot guarantee basic information of or background accuracy, objectivity, interest to the general information on a currency, or credibility public. particular topic. of author. Searches may yield either too much or too little information through which to sort. Continuing Education North Orange County Varies widely by Keeping skills current, May or may not provide (Short-term structured School of Continuing institution offering it. needing only a few academic credit should classes ) Education, Cal Poly Best to check with those classes, and professions you later decide to Local Adult Schools/ Pomona College of the institutions which offer which require life-long pursue a degree in the Non-Credit Divisions of Extended University -- degrees in the subject learning credits. subject. colleges and universities One-day seminars on area of interest. Normally do not need to “personal growth” meet admissions criteria issues; workshops or normally set by colleges training classes on and universities. learning the “latest and 3 Rev: 3/14/11 Lifelong Learning Options Source of Learning Examples Types of Information Advantages Disadvantages Provided greatest” software brand; and taking just a few classes to learn about a new subject. Scholarly Journals Communication Journal, Usually reports on Gaining specialized, in- Written for academic (Research findings National Association of theoretical and research depth information on a scholars (those people within a specific Academic Advisors, and developments within a topic. Discovering what who possess doctorate academic area) American Medical specific field. the latest research degrees), therefore the Association Journal findings offer on a writing style may be specific topic. difficult for some people Information provided is to read. Usually usually credible since it contains a lot of has likely been subjected statistical data, graphics to a rigorous screening and vocabulary. and editing process. Professional American Psychological Through conventions, Keeping industry or Does not provide Associations Association, American trade shows, journals, professional knowledge academic credit leading (Keeps you posted on Bar Association, Public list serves, websites, current. Information to a degree. (But may latest developments Relations Society of blogs, etc., practitioners provided can usually be offer “Continuing within a profession) America, National in the industry provide considered credible Education Credit” for Association of Student examples of best since advancing some professions.) Personnel practices, trends, professionalism in the Administrators research and new laws industry is often a American Psychological which affect that mission of such Association, American profession. organizations. Bar Association, Public Information provided is Relations Society of usually digested, which America, National will likely minimize Association of Student how much time your Personnel time you need to spend Administrators keeping up with the 4 Rev: 3/14/11 Lifelong Learning Options Source of Learning Examples Types of Information Advantages Disadvantages Provided changes. Online Blogs Most celebrities, public Gives the authors insight Blogs are often not Very time-consuming (Subscribing to blogs figures, journalists, and and perspectives on regulated by governing since information often and social media feeds industry leaders now current events affecting bodies, and therefore are is not digested for end such as Twitter and have blogs. his/her world. Some often not censored. users (Information LinkedIn from industry blogs may have multiple Individuals may give Overload). Information experts, special interest authors who are perspectives based on provided may or may media, or opinion considered to be experts their own experiences. not be researched. Need leaders) in their fields. Responses can be critical thinking skills immediate to current and training to discern events. difference between fact and opinions provided. Credibility of source not verified. Special Interest Media Newsletters from Organizational People who want to Information is often (Designed by experts political parties, newsletters, promotional advance a particular biased since it is usually and opinion leaders who environmental activists, materials, corporate perspective on a given by people who share a common interest and political action sponsored training. situation. have an agenda. in a particular topic) committees, etc. (i.e. MADD: Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, etc.) Corporate newsletters, annual reports and corporate training programs. On-The-Job Training Management training Information and training Employees who are Information is usually (Employer-provided programs, formal that furthers the willing and able to take biased since it is often training) mentoring programs, employer’s mission. advantage of what their given by people who professional Professional and/or employers offer. have