I found this quote today and it really speaks to me. We can experience all kinds of things, but unless we use that experience to grow and develop, it does us no good at all. Perhaps this is why some people seem to have “horse sense” and others do not. Some can remember and use the learning to apply to future situations, and others simply move through life making the same mistakes over and over. Of course all of us have to be kicked and reminded about some things over and over, such as putting the car keys in the purse as soon as we walk in the door (so we don’t have to panic when we can’t find them). I am pretty knuckle-headed sometimes and so life does make the learn the same lessons over and over, but generally, I try to “pay attention” so that I don’t make the same mistake twice.

Sometimes I am pretty hard on myself, such as if I blew a big presentation or said something the wrong way, but perhaps I need that to remember not to do the same thing again.  I am going to make a conscious effort this week to reflect on experiences so that I can move onto the next. I want to learn and move ahead, both in my career and personal life. I am going to think about Dewey’s quote and see if I can avoid life giving a second reprimand because I didn’t learn something the first time.

I am finding it hard to get motivated about the paper. My dad has been very ill and I spent most of September at mom and dad’s house. This month he had to have more surgery, and my brother stayed with them a week. Today, dad had to have more surgery and he is in surgery even as I write this post. It is so very difficult to concentrate when so much is on my mind.

I can’t really say that what I feel is worry - it is more like nervousness or apprehension. I am concerned about my parents’ well-being and happiness and this has been very difficult for them. Dad has cancer of the larynx which means that they took away his ability to speak. I have been thinking about how much we use our voice to communicate, especially when we live so far away from each other. I am so very sad that this has happened and feel helpless at the same time.

ANTSHE is an international partnership of students, academic professionals, institutions, and organizations whose mission is to encourage and coordinate support, education, and advocacy for the adult learner.

As a nontraditional student myself plus an instructor of nontraditionals, I am pleased that someone is highlighting the special needs of this group. Those of us who are struggling with balancing life and work and school need lots of support! According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a nontraditional student is:

“A student with any of the following characteristics: has delayed enrollment, attends part time, works full time while enrolled, is considered financially independent for purposes of determining financial aid, has dependents other than a spouse, is a single parent, or does not have a high school diploma.”

Wow! Do you fit the definition of a nontraditional student? Did you know that a nontraditional student is much more likely to quit because of non-education related issues like family and job pressures. It is difficult to balance all of our responsibilities effectively. Let me encourage all you nontraditional students! Keep working toward your educational goal!

The book reminds us how tenuous sanity can be and forces us to think about how we interpret the actions of others with mental illness. The things that Nash did while sick were unacceptable to society, yet most chose to ignore him when it was not fashionable or beneficial for themselves. The screenplay of the same name takes a small piece of Nash’s life and expands on his delusions. Nasar’s book is far more interesting and the reader is left with the unshakeable feeling that Nash is a far greater and beautiful mind…not because of his brilliance in mathematics or game theory…but because of his unbelieveable steps backward from debilitating mental illness.

I recommend A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar as a reminder of the fragility of our minds and the strength of our wills.

Here are the learning outcomes:

1 - Understand what a supply chain is.
2 - Discuss logistics network configuration
3 - Explain inventory management and risk pooling
4 - Discuss the impact of the Internet on the supply chain
5 - Discuss the pull and push strategies
6 - Explain strategic alliances as they chain supply chain
7 - Discuss procurement and outsourcing strategies
8 - Discuss international issues in supply chain management
9 - Explain how design for logistics concepts can be used to control logistics costs and make the supply chain more efficient
10 - Discuss how information technology can be used to enhance customer value in the supply chain
11 - Explain the relationship between ERP software and decision-support software used in the installation
12 - Discuss decision support system for supply chain management

My job role at MWV is squarely in supply chain, so I am hoping that I will be able to use some real-life examples in my papers. I found the book used on the internet for $11.15 plus shipping. Not bad for a text costing over $100 new. I would like to see if I can finish up this class faster than usual so I can start statistics and then the research phase by Jan 1st!

This family crisis usurped my time to write and work on classwork. I had to request an extension from my professor and turned in the final paper yesterday. I could have turned in a paper on the final day of class but I felt it had no depth as I was not able to develop the topic as I normally do. A half-way-done assignment is not acceptable to me.

I am back to work but at MWV and back to work with schoolwork. I have paid for my next class, ECM5006 Integrated Supply Chain Management. After that class I will take MGT5028 Business Statistics and then jump into my doctoral coursework, which will consist of 8 courses.

I am getting pumped up as I close in on my goal of a PhD. If I had the money and the time, I would dash through the courses much faster. However, the cost is not covered by my employer and $1425/course + books is steep for me. I have set this as a goal and will work to make it happen!

By the way, if you are reading my blog and have questions about my experiences or choices, ask me a question or make a comment.

I am an expert in Continuing/Adult Education and Distance Learning. I receive many questions, some of which are bogus but many are from individuals concerned with receiving a good solid answer. Over time, I have noticed that most of the inquiries now come from India. A number of Indian citizens are looking at getting an online education from schools in the USA. Some are mis-informed, thinking that every school has online programs. Although many do, I would not recommend them. Some ask how to get American scholarships to pay completely for college thinking there is a government program to pay for all college here in the USA - most of these questions come from those with undergraduate degrees. The reader knows that scholarship money for masters and doctorates is hard to come by! I also get questions about which type of program to choose based on the student’s other degree(s). Yes, many times that is plural degrees.

From USA students, I answer questions over and over about paralegal training. There is a particular school that advertises their program on TV. I receive many questions about that program, which by the way is not accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Less than 300 of the 1000 paralegal programs in the US are accredited. Coming in second are questions about medical transcriptionist schools.

Doesn’t it strike you odd that paralegal and medical transcriptionist questions are coming from citizens of this country, while questions about masters and doctorates are coming from another country?

The paper is done except for the introduction (which I always do last), proofreading and final touch-up. After that, we will see what Dr. Rose thinks about my research.

“Is it acceptable that the financial aid system is so confusing, complex and inefficient, that many young people, and their parents, simply throw up their hands and walk away?” and “Simply put, higher ed must become more agile, transparent, and student-centered. ”  (http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2008/07/07182008.html).

I couldn’t agree more! So many of my students are discouraged by the volume of red tape associated with financial aid. In their end of course surveys, it is far to common to find negative comments about the FA dept or the process in general. I believe that education changes lives by creating a mindset of possibility. Higher ed expands our minds to think beyond today.

However, higher education is not for everyone. I do not want our government to hand out degrees or free money. I do believe that those who are ready for college and motivated to learn should have an affordable opportunity. Rather than grant money, I would like to see more scholarships based on apptitude, rather than financial status. The middle class family often struggles with the cost of education for their children - they make too much to be eligible for a grant. Achievement should be the basis for financial assistance.

Many people believe that education is a “right.” I do not. You should have to show your ability and desire to attend - rather than base everything on how much you or your parents make. I wholeheartedly agree with Secretary Spelling in her assessment that higher ed must become more “agile, transparent, and student-centered.”