To Past Self & To Future You

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Pay it forward… we have been asked to share some tidbits that we wished we’d known and embraced from the start of the ADL program. I feel like I really spent so much time watching Learners Mindset discussions and reading Dr. Harapnuik’s website that I absorbed a lot of good advice from those who paved the way before us. Thankfully, Dr. Harapnuik does a great job of sharing examples of the work that other graduates have created to give us a sense of some ideas or general concepts for different assignments and projects. Due to the open-ended nature of the program, each of us creates an entirely unique and authentic innovation project based on our arena and interests. Thanks to the COVA Approach to learning, there is a considerable adjustment period for many of us who are more accustomed to “just tell me what you want so that I can give it to you” (which we now recognize as just regurgitating information instead of authentic learning).

Here are some of the helpful nuggets I picked up when I was evaluating and deciding to join the program.

• Tag your blogs with courses so that when you get to the capstone course, you will more easily be able to remember/review the work you did as you developed throughout the program.
• Blog. Keep up with the blogging aspect of the program to really give yourself something to go back and reflect upon later.
• Trust the process was something I consistently heard those ahead of us saying. I quickly realized that cutting corners or simply fulfilling assignment requirements would only shortchange myself of the tremendous opportunity this program presented for growth and personal evolution.

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Since I am still very much at the starting line of this capstone course, I cannot say with certainty yet whether or not the first tip will help me, but I will undoubtedly echo and share my tidbits now and hopefully again at the end of this course.

• Be vulnerable: I mean, to really embrace the learning opportunity that is this program, you must be willing to put yourself out there and be vulnerable with yourself and others. I spent the first few classes giving support freely but being reserved about how much I put myself out there for the same support. My best piece of advice is to lean into vulnerability and allow yourself to discover things about yourself you never imagined.
• Be a collector: I have been bookmarking links to current and past ADL ePortfolios and use them frequently when attempting to wrap my head around a project or assignment. This habit of collecting ePs has been invaluable to me. I even started a shared Google doc so that our cohort of learners could leave breadcrumbs for those who come behind us. I love the spirit of giving back to others that is born out of this program.
  • Sadly, I don’t see one of my favorite early inspirations posted online anymore, but there is an outdated X account. The most heartbreaking part of this process is how infrequently posters continue developing their ePortfolio.
• Reflect frequently: This is where blogging has really helped me along the way. By rambling about the things I learned throughout in blogs, I have the opportunity to look back on where my innovation began, how my thoughts evolved over time, and how much I have changed through a COVA approach to learning. In the same way that the content modules are overlapping and ongoing, the ADL program is overlapping and ongoing. The more frequently you reflect back upon topics you previously engaged with, the more often you challenge yourself to dig deeper into your innovation.
• Don’t compare yourselves to others, but instead, respect that you are growing and evolving as a lifelong learner.
• Trust the process. Everything eventually falls into place.