Jenny is a founding member of the Lifewide Education Community,
You can keep abreast of the Lifewide Education Community's work, discussions and community and download free copies of our publications by following the links:
http://lifewideeducation.co.uk/ (follow link for quarterly Lifewide Magazine - see front pages below)
http://www.lifewideebook.co.uk/
http://www.lifewider.com/#/
You can also find more about Jenny herself from her Lifewide Development Award website at http://jennywillis.weebly.com/
You can keep abreast of the Lifewide Education Community's work, discussions and community and download free copies of our publications by following the links:
http://lifewideeducation.co.uk/ (follow link for quarterly Lifewide Magazine - see front pages below)
http://www.lifewideebook.co.uk/
http://www.lifewider.com/#/
You can also find more about Jenny herself from her Lifewide Development Award website at http://jennywillis.weebly.com/
Lifewide Magazine, issue 8, December 2013
Learning Ecologies Narratives
One of Lifewide Magazine’s aims was to invited guest editors periodically; another was to increase student involvement. With the December 2013 issue, we have achieved both of these objectives.
Thanks to Guest Editor Christine Fountain and her postgraduate students, we have a set of insightful personal narratives which develop the theme of learning ecologies more clearly than could any theory. Norman Jackson provides a synthesis of emergent issues, in a tantalising preview of his chapter in our Lifewide Learning & Education e-book http://www.lifewideebook.co.uk/index.html.
Issue 8 of Lifewide Magazine updates readers on many other initiatives we are currently engaged in, not please planning for our March 2014 conference LEARNING LIVES: Encouraging, Supporting & Recognising Lifewide Learning in Universities and Colleges, http://www.learninglives.co.uk/.
Ever seeking to push the boundaries of learning, Norman announces the launch of a new initiative, Creativity in Development Narrative Inquiry, http://www.creativityindevelopment.co.uk/. Do pay the site a visit, and even sign up to take part in this exciting venture.
One of Lifewide Magazine’s aims was to invited guest editors periodically; another was to increase student involvement. With the December 2013 issue, we have achieved both of these objectives.
Thanks to Guest Editor Christine Fountain and her postgraduate students, we have a set of insightful personal narratives which develop the theme of learning ecologies more clearly than could any theory. Norman Jackson provides a synthesis of emergent issues, in a tantalising preview of his chapter in our Lifewide Learning & Education e-book http://www.lifewideebook.co.uk/index.html.
Issue 8 of Lifewide Magazine updates readers on many other initiatives we are currently engaged in, not please planning for our March 2014 conference LEARNING LIVES: Encouraging, Supporting & Recognising Lifewide Learning in Universities and Colleges, http://www.learninglives.co.uk/.
Ever seeking to push the boundaries of learning, Norman announces the launch of a new initiative, Creativity in Development Narrative Inquiry, http://www.creativityindevelopment.co.uk/. Do pay the site a visit, and even sign up to take part in this exciting venture.
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Lifewide Magazine, issue 7, Summer 2013
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Learning Ecologies
This issue of the Magazine examines the idea of learning ecologies, offering a range of perspectives gleaned from the literature and personal experiences. An individual's learning ecology comprises their contexts, processes, relationships and interactions that provides opportunities and resources for learning, development and achievement. Knowing how to create and sustain a learning ecology is an essential part of 'knowing how to learn' in all the different contexts that comprise an individual's life. Learning ecologies are therefore of significant conceptual and practical value to the theory and practice of lifewide learning and education. Contributors include: Professor Ron Barnett, Maret Staron, Peter Rawsthorne and KnowledgeWorks a US-based organisation, with lively and informative contributions from several students. The Magazine is produced by the Lifewide Education community http://lifewideeducation.co.uk/ and it is free to download from http://www.lifewidemagazine.co.uk/ |
Lifewide magazine, issue 6, Spring 2013
Spring 2013, theme: Exploring wellbeing, well-being, well being
This issue of Lifewide Magazine examines the idea of wellbeing offering a range of perspectives gleaned from personal experience and subjective perceptions, educational practice, real world situations, research and policy, and including the results of three surveys. Features include articles by Jean Gordon and Linda O’Toole, who introduce a European initiative, Learning for Well-being, which aims to enhance the lives of children across the EU, and Professor Ron Barnett who imagines the 21st century university as a major contributor to wellbeing through the multiple ecologies it creates and enhances. The Magazine is produced by the Lifewide Education community http://lifewideeducation.co.uk/ and it is free to download from http://www.lifewidemagazine.co.uk/
This issue of Lifewide Magazine examines the idea of wellbeing offering a range of perspectives gleaned from personal experience and subjective perceptions, educational practice, real world situations, research and policy, and including the results of three surveys. Features include articles by Jean Gordon and Linda O’Toole, who introduce a European initiative, Learning for Well-being, which aims to enhance the lives of children across the EU, and Professor Ron Barnett who imagines the 21st century university as a major contributor to wellbeing through the multiple ecologies it creates and enhances. The Magazine is produced by the Lifewide Education community http://lifewideeducation.co.uk/ and it is free to download from http://www.lifewidemagazine.co.uk/
LIFEWIDE MAGAZINE Past editions
Winter 2012/13, theme: Self-actualisation
We have focused on the theme of self-actualisation, and have an impressive range of articles, not only from our regular contributors, but from guests including internationally renowned scholar Marcia Baxter Magolda, a young Olympic Gamesmaker, Chloe Cowan, and Valerie Mannix, from Waterford. The articles range from conceptual to personal experiences. We have some practical advice on supporting self-directed learning and recording experiences for reflection and archive. We update you on Lifewide CIC news and look forward to some future events. The magazine has been illustrated by our very talented community artist, Kiboko Hachiyon, whom you will remember from previous issues.
For free download, go to http://www.lifewidemagazine.co.uk/
We have focused on the theme of self-actualisation, and have an impressive range of articles, not only from our regular contributors, but from guests including internationally renowned scholar Marcia Baxter Magolda, a young Olympic Gamesmaker, Chloe Cowan, and Valerie Mannix, from Waterford. The articles range from conceptual to personal experiences. We have some practical advice on supporting self-directed learning and recording experiences for reflection and archive. We update you on Lifewide CIC news and look forward to some future events. The magazine has been illustrated by our very talented community artist, Kiboko Hachiyon, whom you will remember from previous issues.
For free download, go to http://www.lifewidemagazine.co.uk/
Special issue, It takes a village to raise a child
Autumn 2012 edition, theme 'It takes a village to raise a child'
For free download, go to http://www.lifewidemagazine.co.uk/
For free download, go to http://www.lifewidemagazine.co.uk/
SPECIAL OLYMPIC 7 PARALYMPIC EDITION
THE JOYS OF SPRING
NEW FORMAT FOR LIFEWIDE MAGAZINE
Winter 2012, theme: Growing and nurturing a community
The first edition of our new format for Lifewide Magazine
For free download, go to http://www.lifewidemagazine.co.uk/
Some of our other publications
The raw edge of unethical behaviour
DEALING WITH A DIFFICULT AND UNETHICAL EXPERIENCE
As an inveterate lifewide learner, I am always open to new opportunities and I always look for the best in people. So, when I met a businessman who shared my passion for destigmatising mental illness, I willingly undertook to provide whatever intellectual and practical support I could for his social enterprise. I had reached the age of retirement, had a pension which kept the wolf from the door, and felt it was time to give back to society, in the only way I knew how, with my mind and experience. Little did I realise that this would become an object lesson in ‘buyer beware.’
I do not wish to disclose the detail of a very complex situation which may yet have legal repercussions, but the events remind us of the less attractive side of lifewide learning. We naturally focus on its positive side: let us pause now and consider the obverse.
Mental illness has been a presence in my life since early childhood, and over recent years, I have worked voluntarily to destigmatise it. Some months ago, one of my international workshops was attended by someone who had a vision to take this work to his native sub-Saharan Africa. By coincidence, he had a business in the UK, only 10 miles from my home, which provided training for social and mental health workers (amongst other professions). The next phase of this business was to use profits from the UK to establish mental health facilities in developing parts of Africa. My role was to coordinate these developments and take charge of media and marketing.
Another ‘happy’ coincidence was that, through the lifewide community, I knew a young designer who would be ideal to help our project. Before long, he and his fiancée had both been contracted to work for the company, his first task being to rebrand the company and redesign its web site.
Although my role was voluntary, I was given a title that gave me authority within the company. But I soon found that I was working a seven day week, available at all times of the day as the director was in Africa, in a different time zone. Nevertheless, I was inspired by our common vision and the commitment of so many professional colleagues. If a suspicion lurked when the director’s period abroad extended endlessly, it was dispelled by the integrity of these colleagues. I felt guilty for doubting the director, and chided myself that I was being influenced by adverse media stereotypes of African con men. Besides, the director and many of my colleagues were devout, practising Christians, most of them personal friends. Any suggestion of abuse was contrary to my view of Christian behaviour.
Then I received information that these professional colleagues had not been paid for several months. Morale was at rock bottom and colleagues had all incurred serious debts, to the extent of being unable to pay their journeys in to work and under threat of eviction from their homes. Without wishing to expose my source, I spoke first with my counterpart, also a retired professional, also working without remuneration. He confirmed the parlous financial situation, knowledge of which he had been carrying alone, to the detriment of his own health. He was relieved to share matters and we agreed to confront the absent director immediately.
Suddenly, we were inundated with correspondence from unpaid colleagues, cataloguing their individual circumstances. We appealed for money to be made available for instant support of these colleagues, but none has been forthcoming, only excuses and passing of responsibility for the crisis.
So what have I learnt from these events? I have had to confront my sense of morality, and recognise that for some, the ends justify the means. According to my Eurocentric values, it is immoral to have recruited members of staff when there were no finances to pay them. They were exploited and misled. Admittedly, our lives in the UK are vastly more comfortable than those of the people we were seeking to help in Africa, but can this really justify taking on young people, at the start of their professional lives, who rejected alternative jobs in order to work for a company whose ideals they admired? My outsider’s view of Christian morality has been seriously challenged, along with the obligation of friendship.
This all reinforces the cultural nature of moral values. I did not, though, hesitate to speak out once I knew about our circumstances. I am reminded, as I write of the immortal words of Pastor Niemὃller:
First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.
This has been, and still is a, very difficult and uncomfortable experience for me and I'm still coming to terms with it and working out what I should do. I have found it helpful to share this experience but I am still questioning whether I was right. What would you have done? Have you experienced any difficult ethical situations that have shaken you to the core?
The Raw Edge of Unethical Experience
As an inveterate lifewide learner, I am always open to new opportunities and I always look for the best in people. So, when I met a businessman who shared my passion for destigmatising mental illness, I willingly undertook to provide whatever intellectual and practical support I could for his social enterprise. I had reached the age of retirement, had a pension which kept the wolf from the door, and felt it was time to give back to society, in the only way I knew how, with my mind and experience. Little did I realise that this would become an object lesson in ‘buyer beware.’
I do not wish to disclose the detail of a very complex situation which may yet have legal repercussions, but the events remind us of the less attractive side of lifewide learning. We naturally focus on its positive side: let us pause now and consider the obverse.
Mental illness has been a presence in my life since early childhood, and over recent years, I have worked voluntarily to destigmatise it. Some months ago, one of my international workshops was attended by someone who had a vision to take this work to his native sub-Saharan Africa. By coincidence, he had a business in the UK, only 10 miles from my home, which provided training for social and mental health workers (amongst other professions). The next phase of this business was to use profits from the UK to establish mental health facilities in developing parts of Africa. My role was to coordinate these developments and take charge of media and marketing.
Another ‘happy’ coincidence was that, through the lifewide community, I knew a young designer who would be ideal to help our project. Before long, he and his fiancée had both been contracted to work for the company, his first task being to rebrand the company and redesign its web site.
Although my role was voluntary, I was given a title that gave me authority within the company. But I soon found that I was working a seven day week, available at all times of the day as the director was in Africa, in a different time zone. Nevertheless, I was inspired by our common vision and the commitment of so many professional colleagues. If a suspicion lurked when the director’s period abroad extended endlessly, it was dispelled by the integrity of these colleagues. I felt guilty for doubting the director, and chided myself that I was being influenced by adverse media stereotypes of African con men. Besides, the director and many of my colleagues were devout, practising Christians, most of them personal friends. Any suggestion of abuse was contrary to my view of Christian behaviour.
Then I received information that these professional colleagues had not been paid for several months. Morale was at rock bottom and colleagues had all incurred serious debts, to the extent of being unable to pay their journeys in to work and under threat of eviction from their homes. Without wishing to expose my source, I spoke first with my counterpart, also a retired professional, also working without remuneration. He confirmed the parlous financial situation, knowledge of which he had been carrying alone, to the detriment of his own health. He was relieved to share matters and we agreed to confront the absent director immediately.
Suddenly, we were inundated with correspondence from unpaid colleagues, cataloguing their individual circumstances. We appealed for money to be made available for instant support of these colleagues, but none has been forthcoming, only excuses and passing of responsibility for the crisis.
So what have I learnt from these events? I have had to confront my sense of morality, and recognise that for some, the ends justify the means. According to my Eurocentric values, it is immoral to have recruited members of staff when there were no finances to pay them. They were exploited and misled. Admittedly, our lives in the UK are vastly more comfortable than those of the people we were seeking to help in Africa, but can this really justify taking on young people, at the start of their professional lives, who rejected alternative jobs in order to work for a company whose ideals they admired? My outsider’s view of Christian morality has been seriously challenged, along with the obligation of friendship.
This all reinforces the cultural nature of moral values. I did not, though, hesitate to speak out once I knew about our circumstances. I am reminded, as I write of the immortal words of Pastor Niemὃller:
First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.
This has been, and still is a, very difficult and uncomfortable experience for me and I'm still coming to terms with it and working out what I should do. I have found it helpful to share this experience but I am still questioning whether I was right. What would you have done? Have you experienced any difficult ethical situations that have shaken you to the core?
The Raw Edge of Unethical Experience