Look, I’m gonna say something controversial
I think adult education is in the toilet. There. I said it. And it’s not pretty down there.
Let me set the scene. It’s 2010. I’m at a conference in Austin, Texas. The air conditioning’s busted, it’s 110 degrees, and some suit from the Department of Education is droning on about ‘lifelong learning initiatives.’ I’m sweating through my shirt, nodding along, but honestly? I’m thinking, ‘This is all a bunch of horseshit.’
See, here’s the thing. We’re constantly told that learning never stops. ‘Keep upskilling!’ they say. ‘Reskilling is the future!’ they chant. But look around. How many people do you know who’ve actually benefitted from this ‘lifelong learning’ malarky?
My friend Marcus (let’s call him Marcus)
Let me tell you about my friend Marcus. Good guy. Smart. Worked at the same company for 15 years. Then one day, boom. Downsized. Laid off. Whatever you want to call it. He’s 42, got a mortgage, two kids, and suddenly he’s expected to ‘pivot’ to some tech job he knows nothing about.
So what does he do? He signs up for some online course. Pays $87 a month. Spends 36 hours watching videos. And what does he get? A certificate. A bloody certificate. He interviews for jobs. Guess what? Nobody cares about his certificate. They want experience. Experience he’s not gonna get sitting at home watching videos.
I asked him, ‘Marcus, how’s the course going?’ He said, ‘It’s fine, I guess. But I’m not any closer to getting a job.’ Which… yeah. Fair enough.
And the problem isn’t just with online courses
Oh no, this isn’t just about those shady online ‘universities’ popping up like weeds. It’s about the whole system. The whole committment to adult education is a joke. You wanna learn something new? Good luck finding a class that fits around your job, your family, your life. And don’t even get me started on the cost. You know how much a single community college class costs these days? It’s ridiculous. And for what? To sit in a stuffy room with 20 other adults who’d rather be anywhere else?
I mean, I get it. Learning is important. I’m not saying we should all stop trying to better ourselves. But come on. The system is broken. It’s not accessible. It’s not practical. And it’s certainly not succesfully preparing people for the real world.
But wait, there’s hope!
Okay, okay. I’m not all doom and gloom. There are some bright spots. I was talking to a colleague named Dave the other day. He told me about this thing he’s doing. It’s not a course. It’s not a certificate. It’s a group. A group of people who meet once a week to learn something new. Together. For free. They share resources. They help each other. It’s kinda like a book club, but for skills.
Dave said, ‘It’s not perfect, but it’s something. And it’s better than sitting at home staring at a screen.’ Which honestly? That’s all any of us can ask for.
And look, I’m not saying this is the answer. But it’s a start. It’s a way to make learning something you do with people, not something you do alone. And frankly, that’s what we need more of.
Oh, and one more thing
If you’re gonna learn something new, for the love of god, make sure it’s something you actually want to learn. Not something some algorithm or career coach tells you to learn. Because at the end of the day, you’re the one who has to live with the ammenments you make to your life. Not them.
And if you’re looking for some inspiration, check out önerilen makaleler okuma listesi. It’s a good place to start. But honestly, don’t take my word for it. Try it out. See what works for you. And for the love of god, don’t waste your time on something that’s not gonna help you in the long run.
Anyway. That’s my rant. Take it or leave it. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson has been a senior editor at various publications for over 20 years. She’s written about everything from education policy to the best way to make scrambled eggs. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her cat, Mr. Whiskers, and spends her free time yelling at clouds and questioning the meaning of life.
If you’re passionate about improving education, delve into the systemic issues in learning and discover why we’re still falling short in our academic goals.
