Lifelong Learning Breaks Out of School
Do you remember the song from Annie Get
Your Gun –“Doin’ What Comes Naturally”?
You don’t have to
know how to read or write
When you’re out with a feller in the pale moonlight.
You don’t have to look in a book to find
What he thinks of the moon and what is on his mind.
That comes naturally…
The song suggests that Annie and the folks
in her town have never had any “schoolin,” so others think
they’re “dumb.” But Annie protests. They can make money, raise
a family, drink and procreate without even knowing how to
write. Learnin’ doesn’t just come from books!
Furthermore, there’s no place or method to
which learning is restricted. It’s not incarcerated in schools
or libraries, confined to the Public Television network or the
Internet. Learning happens when we stop our busyness to listen,
watch and think, when we explore our world by walking fields,
talking to new people, traveling to new places, and when we try
our hand at something new. Today we call this “lifelong
learning,” and everyone’s encouraged to engage in it so that
they live a happier and longer life.
Many Coshocton folks are energetically
involved in lifelong learning. About fifty of them met at the
Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum in February to hear Mark Hersman,
Mansfield archaeologist and teacher talk about the Indian
artifacts that can be found in the fields of Coshocton and the
surrounding counties. I looked around the room and wondered
what brings these people together. This was the classroom
teacher’s dream-come-true. The “students” were brimming with
enthusiasm and the desire to absorb as much information as
possible in this 90-minute period. What is it about rocks and
stones that accounts for this passionate interest?
Donna and Pat Keyes traveled from Guernsey
County having read about the event in their local newspaper.
They have collected artifacts for many years near their home and
also in Licking and Pike counties. Donna described Pat as the
“driving force.” She commented on what a great family venture
walking the fields could be—but put forth the disclaimer that it
had been less popular with her daughter than the males in the
family. In their busy lives, they had gotten away from this
activity, and they are now rekindling an old interest. Donna
and Pat gain knowledge about local artifacts from reading and by
connecting with older people who share their enthusiasm.
Debra Short of Dover also learned of the
talk through her local paper. She has been interested in
searching the fields for finds for a long time. She wanted to
learn more claiming that she “wasn’t sure what she was looking
for.”
Long-time teacher in the Riverview school
district, Dave Woodmansee, brought a colorful collection of
flint points. He and an acquaintance were identifying the
different types of flint and speculating on the origins of each
since some are not native to the area. All pieces were found at
one site and represent a cross section of cultures and time
periods.
All were invited to bring in their personal
finds. As I perused the group during this informal time, I
noticed that all were totally engaged, full of questions and
ready to share their experiences and stories with one another.
As folks were involved in this teaching-learning experience, a
sense of community emerged--a community forged through shared
experiences, interests and place. The room was resonating with
energy and excitement.
Coshocton offers many opportunities to get
involved with a community of lifelong learners. There’s the
Coshocton Art Guild, the history club, the Footlight Players and
the library’s book club, just to name a few. And what better
time than spring to begin “doin’ what comes naturally.” It’s a
great way to live.
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