DIY U: Build a Personal Learning Plan

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Define Your Path


What do you want to pursue?

This first step to building a personal learning plan to to define you path. “I want steady professional employment in the field of sustainability.” “I want to combine teaching English with travel.” "I want to start video blogging."  “I want to learn project management skills to advance in my career” or “I’d like to better my understanding of how to finance a family business”.

Your task: Share the dream with us. Post a comment below and let us know: What does a person with your intended career or skill set do? What inspires you to take a DIY approach to getting there? 

Not sure what path is right for you? The second part of the Edupunk's Guide shares resources for finding direction in your career and focusing your skill set.

Task Discussion


  • Anum said:

     

    "I want to become a writer that addresses intercultural and intracultural conflict through her work." (or inclusively, a Speech-Language Pathologist by day, and a writer by night!).

    I'm putting my SLP dream on the back burner for now, until I can go back to university (from what I gather, that is the only way to become a certified therapist). I understand that my former goal is arbitrary (a journalist? a novelist? what exactly, ermm?). I cannot say I know for sure. What I do know is that writing about issues motivates me, and thus a DIY approach is the only natural path to forge. There isn't a concrete career title for a person who wants to challenge the way her community thinks about things, is there? Writing is the only way I know how. Some people choose mediums like movies or mediation. I choose writing. 

    I used to write endlessly as a child, and it is what kept me sane. Once I stopped, I became confused and withdrawn. Writing may be my only true passion and I am a 100% committed to pursuing it! But not having written in over 6 years can leave you feeling rusty… and that's where DIY U comes in. Really looking forward to drafting a plan. :)

    on March 14, 2012, 1:45 a.m.

    Leah MacVie said:

    Good luck Anum. I find it helpful to try to write a little bit everyday- even if it's 20 minutes, it's 20 minutes more than you would have wrote if you hadn't. 

    Good luck!

    on March 14, 2012, 10:18 a.m. in reply to Anum

    AJC said:

    Hey Anum, Welcome!

    Check out this aweseom challenge that a few bloggers started on P2PU: http://p2pu.org/en/groups/writing-for-the-web/

    on March 14, 2012, 2:48 p.m. in reply to Anum

    Anum said:

    Thanks, Leah! I recently came upon 750words.com :) great in pushing you to flex that writing muscle.

    on March 26, 2012, 11:50 p.m. in reply to Leah MacVie

    Anum said:

    Thanks Alison! Just joined the "Writiing for the Web" group. I also visited your blog for the first time and absolutely loved it! Amazing work.

    on March 26, 2012, 11:52 p.m. in reply to AJC

    Leah MacVie said:

    Oh neat! You know, I've heard of programs/sites like this working for people. I don't know...to me it's one extra thing I have to do since I use Google Docs to house all of my text anyway. But, let me know what you think of the product- I'd love to hear your take on it. 

    On the other hand...some people might think I'm crazy for housing my manuscript in Google. It's a way better feeling than worrying about your neighbor burning down your apartment while you're at work... :)

    on March 26, 2012, 11:59 p.m. in reply to Anum

  • Rohit.Vashisht said:

    I want to review and upgrade my knowledge of Computer Science. Also if possible learn all requirements to get employment as a Software Developer.

    on March 3, 2012, 8:54 p.m.

    LBCarfagna said:

    Hey Rohit,

    Sounds like a great goal.  How will you learn what those requirements are to gain employment as a software developer?  

    on March 10, 2012, 5:01 p.m. in reply to Rohit.Vashisht

    Corbin Tarrant said:

    Hey Rohit and LBCarfagna, 

     I have a Computer Science degree in Information Systems but have never had a job in software development before but would really like to find one. As part of my personal learning plan I am getting involved in contributing to an established open source project. Lernanta was recommended to me (the software that runs this site) and I have installed a development environment on my own machine. In this process I learned that I needed to use Python and the Django library, neither of which I was familiar with. I have spent a couple weeks getting used to Python (mostly through another course I'm taking at http://www.udacity.com/ (the CS101 course, which is a lot of review for me but a good intro to Python). Now I am getting into working with Django and have started working through the tutorials on the site. I have also signed up for the development mailing list for p2pu.

    These are just the steps I have taken, but I think generally finding something you are really interested in contributing to and getting involved in a project is a good start. By doing so you are going to be confronted by things you don't understand. Make note of these things, prioritize, and start studying one at a time. Start conversations with those involved in the project, if they are passionate about the project as well they probably won't mind sharing.

    on March 10, 2012, 6:37 p.m. in reply to LBCarfagna

    Rohit.Vashisht said:

    I would be very interested in joining you in this opensource project. I have a BS Information Technology degree but am very much out of touch with the computer science subject. Do you have any idea about how I should go about joining this opensource project and what courses I need to complete or review to join you.

    on March 10, 2012, 7:20 p.m. in reply to Corbin Tarrant

    AJC said:

    Kudos for signing up for the P2PU development list!

    on March 12, 2012, 2:02 a.m. in reply to Corbin Tarrant

    Corbin Tarrant said:

    Join the P2PU group for lernanta: http://p2pu.org/en/groups/introduction-to-contributing-to-lernata/

    follow the steps there and, if you need to, learn python and django first like I'm doing. If you would like some additional resources for learning python and django let me know and I'll share what I've found

    on March 13, 2012, 2:45 p.m. in reply to Rohit.Vashisht

  • chrisbran said:

    Having a basis in html and css, I want to learn, and geed good with .js and php.

    on March 3, 2012, 7:22 p.m.

    LBCarfagna said:

    Hi Chrisbran - these are all great skills, I personally would like to learn the first two myself.  Do you have a goal in mind for why you might want to pursue them?  Is there a form of employment you are seeking with these skills, your own entrepreneurship, or for fun? 

    on March 10, 2012, 4:23 p.m. in reply to chrisbran

  • Garry said:

    I have one set goal that is rather self-contrary but nevertheless I am still dedicated to accomplishing it. I want to be a successful chemical engineer who is able to independent research on the effects of metals in the body and how they might (or might not) be beneficial. That being said, I would also like to own a tatto shop where I can give quality and professional body piercings using metals that might be able to promote quicker/better healing or maybe some other desired effects depending on how the research goes. Id also like to be an artist, selling my art in galleries and the like. I feel all of the above is feasible through a chemical engineering degree.

    on March 1, 2012, 12:46 a.m.

    AJC said:

    I've never thought about piercings and their effects chemically on the body but I would imagine metals other than surgical steel, silver and gold would have effects (thinking iron, copper, etc.. )This is an interesting idea for sure!

    In the next steps you should look into open research and open science materials regarding chemical engineering and human health.

    on March 1, 2012, 1:09 a.m. in reply to Garry

  • nlsthzn said:

     

    I would like to develop myself in two directions. The first is professionally, and to do that I want to face and conquer an old foe of mine, maths. Once I have a good understanding of the fundamentals I will identify the next step on this road.
     
    The second direction has to do with my personal field of interest that has always been computers and technology.  I want to not only learn (and to some extent, re-learn) a programming language but actively code and participate in some project; I am leaning towards Python and something to do with Linux.
     
    So much to do... so little time 
     
     
    Neil
    on Feb. 29, 2012, 2:02 a.m.

    Garry said:

    I share your interests and have tried to learn Python on my own (unsuccessfully haha) and if youre interested in maybe tackling it together we most certainly could.

     

    Garry

    on March 1, 2012, 12:41 a.m. in reply to nlsthzn

    nlsthzn said:

    Cool... python isn't top of the priority list right at this moment but I will attempt to get in touch when the time comes :)

     

    Neil

    on March 1, 2012, 8:59 a.m. in reply to Garry

  • Maria said:

    My biggest goal is to master the German language and study European culture and history. I hope to study other things alos, but those are mostly supports. 

    on Feb. 24, 2012, 11:06 a.m.

    LBCarfagna said:

    Hi Maria,

    This sounds like fun.  Do you have experience in German already?  I know some people that are very good with German and could probably help out.

    on March 10, 2012, 5:08 p.m. in reply to Maria

  • Charles Thomas said:

    My goal is to learn as much as I can about computer science, philosophy, ecology, and economics!  I hope to be able to use what I learn to create better means of environmental management with a little ethics thrown in for good measure.

    on Feb. 22, 2012, 9:30 a.m.

    LBCarfagna said:

    Hey Charles,

     

    Quite the interdisciplinary plan!  Sometimes the worst part about traditional education is that all the disciplines you just listed don't speak to each other.  What peaks your interest in environmental management?  Where would you like to take all these disciplines and skills and what will you do with them?  I'm excited to watch you move through the next steps, feel free to reach out to me anyone else on here for support.

    on March 10, 2012, 5:18 p.m. in reply to Charles Thomas

  • Tony said:

    I want to develop my writing skills. That includes business writing skills and creative writing. I want to learn more about computers (software and hardware) and start a computer co-op. The idea would be to leverage the power of the group to acquire hardware and software, and training to enhance lives of both the members and nonmembers who need help. People would learn to recycle, fix, build, etc.… computers. There would also be end user training to help people improve job skills and more. There would be workshop type experiences for learning to program and write code.

    on Feb. 22, 2012, 2:23 a.m.

  • Corbin Tarrant said:

    Hello everyone!

    I have a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Information Systems, but have always felt that my true learning happend outside of school just tinkering with stuff on my own time. The degree feels like expensive paper. I have followed open learning to a small degree for years, but lately have become very excited about it upon doing more research to see what is out there now. I'm not sure exactly what I want to focus on yet and am in the research phase right now. I would love to take part in developing a piece of software to help with the open learning movement. To start, I am getting more familiar with the resources that are out there to see where there might be a gap to work on.

    on Feb. 20, 2012, 8:33 p.m.

    AJC said:

    Corbin - we are always looking for people to help with Lernanta - our software for the site. Perhaps that'd be a good way to get involved!

    https://github.com/p2pu/lernanta/wiki

    on Feb. 20, 2012, 11:31 p.m. in reply to Corbin Tarrant

    Tony said:

    I think in order to move toward my goals I should start with learning the same things I would to become A+ certified. Looks to me like you could offer some advice.

    on Feb. 22, 2012, 2:38 a.m. in reply to Corbin Tarrant

    Corbin Tarrant said:

    I would love to help answer any questions I can, stop by IAmCorbin.net anytime or talk to me on google+ . I think the key to achieving my open learning goals is going to be networking with other people who are doing the same and really getting some peer learning interaction.

    on Feb. 22, 2012, 5:31 p.m. in reply to Tony

  • Mark Flavin said:

    My goals are actually at the intersection of personal and professional. Within my professional life I have enjoyed a great deal of sucess. However to reach my next set of goals I want to refine and expand my skills within the following domains:

    1. Website Development and Programming (Javascript and PHP specifically)
    2. Personnel management
    3. Business communications and marketing

    On the other axis is personal development; my wife and I were blessed recently by the birth of our first child. So I want to begin now by refining my skills in self directed study and lifelong learning so I can impart those skills and (hopefully) passion to her. My wife and I agree that our collective education has opened many doors for us so I would like to make sure my daughter enjoys the same benefits.

    Unfortunately life has a way of getting overly busy so the areas I am looking for the most support in are devloping attainable goals, learning schedules and building a learning roadmap. What would be ideal is I can use some of the same Edupunk skills to begin working with my daugher on her language and reading skills.

    on Feb. 19, 2012, 11:01 p.m.

    AJC said:

    re: Personnel mgmt -> check out http://www.openscout.net/

    on Feb. 20, 2012, 6:14 p.m. in reply to Mark Flavin

    AJC said:

    Welcome Mark!

    This is a great place to get a start on building a good plan and making life-long learning part of everyday.

    No question is unanswerable and any wisdom or advice you can give to others will benefit all. This goes for everyone who is participating in this challenge!

    on Feb. 20, 2012, 6:24 p.m. in reply to Mark Flavin

  • two_OMind said:

    I'm Interested in teaching myself the specific skills I need to meet my professional and social goals including starting a open source software development NPO and inspiring people to increase their emotional, economic, intellectual and social freedoms.

    on Feb. 19, 2012, 3:32 p.m.

  • Toan said:

    I want to learn web design & web development.

    on Feb. 19, 2012, 12:46 a.m.

  • p3m4la5 said:

    I want to learn LISP programming, deeper and more deeper...

    on Feb. 17, 2012, 10:05 p.m.

  • Reese Adams said:

    I want to learn to code. This is really a pretty open-ended thing, since there are so many languages, but I'm going to start with HTML.

    on Feb. 16, 2012, 7:38 p.m.

    AJC said:

    Hey Reese -> have you seen http://p2pu.org/en/schools/school-of-webcraft/sets/webmaking-101/ ?

    on Feb. 20, 2012, 6:17 p.m. in reply to Reese Adams

  • Xavier said:

    I work as adult literacy teacher but have worked as a web designer too.

    I would like to improve my programming skills because I don't really know how to write code. I know using html as well as css. So my path's going to be developing my skill of programing using Ruby on Rails.

    I prefere start simple and go on later.

    on Feb. 7, 2012, 6:42 p.m.

    Xavier said:

    Anyway, as I've said, I need to improve my english comunicating skills. So it can be included in the same path!

    on Feb. 7, 2012, 6:44 p.m. in reply to Xavier

    AJC said:

    Xavier - definitely check out what School of Webcraft has to offer: http://p2pu.org/en/groups/all/?school=school-of-webcraft

    on Feb. 8, 2012, 1:09 p.m. in reply to Xavier

    Tony said:

    Hello Xavier

    I feel like I need to start at English 101. I need to find an online course that moves through things quickly with big picture learning so I do no tget bored with it. What are you doing?

    on Feb. 22, 2012, 2:34 a.m. in reply to Xavier

  • Leah MacVie said:

    What does a person with your intended career or skill set do?

    Basically, I train teachers to teach online. I would like to expand my career to help teach everyday people to teach online using sites like P2PU and Udemy- anyone can really be a teacher. 

    I have a few more personal goals this year, thought: 

    • Become a go-to person so I'm seen as indispensable.

    • Get involved in the OpenBadge project, because I believe this is the future of crediting informal learning and I'm interested in contributing to it.

    • Discover more informal and DIY learning resources and institutions, because I am interested in the way it can help build human capital.

    • Study the Spanish language and culture to enhance my visit to the country.

    • Find and stick to a good health and wellness practice. 

    What inspires you to take a DIY approach to getting there? 

    I don't believe there is another way to get there. I will have to construct and measure my own learning experiences in order to accomplish these tasks. It will be more rewarding than simply being on the receiving end. I'm also trying to work in a service component with each goal: once I've done it, I'd like to pass it on for others to follow the same path through a PDF, ebook, or online course. 

    on Feb. 5, 2012, 2:17 p.m.

    AJC said:

    These are all awesome goals. I think it's even posible to rearrange them so that they all fit into one master plan. You could identify hard skills - developing a curriculum/ebook that introduces your collegues and students to these resources and find ways to insert soft skills (being indespensible) along the way.

    One this that comes to mind for us is the strength of our Spanish Community at P2PU. One member, Dany Bautista, wants to create an ambassador program for P2PU. He might be a great person to connect with. He needs help developing this idea into a program that connects and empowers latin americans to teach and learn (programming/webcraft specifically) through P2PU.

    on Feb. 7, 2012, 12:27 p.m. in reply to Leah MacVie

    Leah MacVie said:

    These are really  geat ideas Alison. Yeah, I was also thinking one 'Master Plan'...almost like a semester's worth of work. Like Spring 2012 Goals, and then work on 3 or so objectives for each? I really love the idea of creating an ebook for people- something I've been wanting to do for my site for a while. I'll start drafting up some ideas...

    OMG- I am connecting with Dany right now...what a great idea!

    on Feb. 11, 2012, 12:43 p.m. in reply to AJC

  • DeAnna said:

    im 13 years old and im getting a head start of my planning. i want to be prepared. so, i want to be an FBI profiler... do you think you could help me understand it more? i would apprecite it. thanks... -DeAnna

    on Feb. 4, 2012, 12:32 p.m.

    LBCarfagna said:

    Hey DeAnna,

    Its great you are motivated to get a head start.  What got you interested in being an FBI profiler?  Let's start there. 

    -Luka

    on Feb. 6, 2012, 7:46 p.m. in reply to DeAnna

  • Ken Doman said:

    I like solving problems. I'd like to combine that with working with computers, programming, and Geographic Information Systems (computer mapping).

    on Feb. 2, 2012, 2:08 p.m.

    AJC said:

    Ken, perhaps you can connect with Brylie Oxley. He has run quite a few P2PU courses in your area of interest and is now looking for folks to help develop a Community GIS course.

    Also, depending on what city you're in there may be an Open GIS group nearby. I found one in my city of Portland, OR and joined their mailing list!

    on Feb. 7, 2012, 12:20 p.m. in reply to Ken Doman

  • AJC said:

    My dream is to become an ecological designer. In order to do this I may have to also become an architect.

    on Feb. 1, 2012, 1:24 a.m.

    LBCarfagna said:

    I'm currently in an academic program studying sociology, but my real dream is to combine what I'm doing now with theological work.  I really want to become ordained - but right now that's not an option.  The DIY model seems like a great way for me to design a learning plan for my interest in theological work, to see if seminary is worth me investing in one day.

    on Feb. 1, 2012, 2:23 p.m. in reply to AJC

    Xavier said:

    Hi Alison,

    Do you know something about permaculture? I think you will be interested on it soon... the big idea of this way of designing is to optimise the enviroment to serving human needs by changing the less as is possible.

    Maybe you can find a path to become a expert in permaculture without having to graduate as an architect. What do you think about it?

    ;)

    on Feb. 7, 2012, 6:50 p.m. in reply to AJC

    AJC said:

    I grew up in a permaculture community. It's in my blood!

    I just received my "official" permaculture design certificate. It was one of the major goals in my personla learning plan: http://www.grungefarmer.org/1/post/2011/12/urban-lot-redesign-planet-repair.html

    on Feb. 8, 2012, 1:07 p.m. in reply to Xavier