Monday 19 December 2011

Bab 4: Article from The Star ( Learning For Life) by saw phin khye A136315

Sunday March 20, 2005
Learning for life

THE concept of lifelong learning is a not a new phenomena. In fact, many would now be quite familiar with what the term connotes – continuous learning (both formal and informal) which takes place throughout one’s life.
This week, StarEducation speaks to several lifelong learners who share their experiences and success stories.
They all agree that whether young or old, learning takes place anytime, anywhere and can happen to anyone.
It all begins with an innate desire to learn and a strong sense of curiosity, as well as a wish to nurture the quest for knowledge.
As such, MCA launched its very own Lifelong Learning (LLL) campaign in October last year as a call to Malaysians to better themselves through the acquisition of skills and knowledge to add value to the economy and meet the challenges of globalisation.
The brainchild of MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, LLL supports the Government’s aspiration to foster a knowledgeable society.
In cooperation with government bodies, non-governmental organisations and the private sector, LLL emphasises seven main topics or “pillars” via events or short courses to promote lifelong learning.
Seven committees have been set up to look into the areas of revitalising the standard of education, moral building, developing a caring society, increasing competitiveness, honing living skills, arts and culture, and promoting national integration.
The programme is aimed at touching all levels of society, from school dropouts and housewives to professionals. IT will help people change old mindsets, relearn skills and acquire new abilities.
Educationist and author Dr Gan Siowck Lee is a strong advocate of lifelong learning.
“If you have the interest, you can do anything provided you have the eagerness to learn,” she elaborates.
Dr Gan reveals that having an inquisitive mind from young has helped her in life and continues to enrich her learning process.
She took up a course in programming out of an innate desire to know more about computers.
Little did she know that her newfound skills would come in handy when she took up a Masters in Education.
When she eventually undertook her PhD studies during the mid-80s at the University of Hawaii in the United States, Personal Computers (PC) had become increasingly popular.
Dr Gan, however, feels that many graduates lack critical and analytical thinking.
“Our society has gotten accustomed to spoon-feeding where facts are just given and absorbed by students without necessarily processing the information,” laments the former Universiti Putra Malaysia lecturer who is regarded as one of the pioneers of online distance learning in Malaysia.
Says Dr Gan: “Education is not about the acquisition of knowledge, it’s about the development of the mind.”

reference: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2005%2F3%2F20%2Feducation%2F10326329&sec=education

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