Practice I have been actively involved as an adult educator for over ten years. The foundation of my practice as an adult educator is a strong belief in life-long learning. I believe that learning how to learn, and how to adapt to change, is the most important skill adults need to develop in order to flourish in our rapidly changing world. It is my firm belief that educators need to take an active role using all of their resources and passions - to inspire learners, engage them in stimulating collegial dialogue, to challenge them and to be challenged in turn, to pose problems as well as provide resources to solve them.
Education I earned a Bachelors degree in Business and Computer Science from Governor's State University in 1986 and a Master's degree in Adult Education from Indiana University in 1995.
Educational Interests Although I enjoy working with computers I see them as a tool, a means to facilitate and enrich the educational experience. Distance learning holds great potential, but I firmly believe that it is an adjunct to, not a replacement for, face to face classroom interaction. If properly used, computers and technology can provide quick access to the staggering amount of electronic information that is now available.
Adult learning projects (Self-directed learning) is another topic I have great interest in. A huge amount of learning takes place outside of the traditional classroom environment. Some of my richest learning experiences have been self-directed; I have continuously engaged in this type of learning throughout my adult life.
I am also very much involved in the Arts and Arts Education. I work with the Education Director of the Indianapolis Opera, write articles for their opera discovery guide, and teach and develop classes.
Experience After earning my bachelors degree, I worked for several years at IU Hospital as a computer systems analyst/database manager where I learned many of the skills and concepts that I now teach. Although I enjoyed the challenge of learning and mastering new technology and programming, I eventually felt the need for more interpersonal interaction. Recalling my college experience as a computer lab assistant and the satisfaction I gained from helping other students, I decided to try teaching part-time. I started teaching computer classes at Indiana Vocational Technical College beginning in 1990. I enjoyed teaching so much that I soon decided that being an adult educator was my new life's ambition.
I enrolled in the Adult Education Masters program at IU in 1993, graduated in 1995, and the same year became an adjunct faculty member at Indiana University in Indianapolis where I continue to teach computer and technology courses in the School of Education. Since 1996, my full-time job has been as Manager of Training for The Healthcare Group (THCG, formerly M Plan) a large managed healthcare company in Indianapolis. There I develop computer related training courses and manuals, manage the training staff, teach classes, engage in personalized one-on-one training, and generally plan and manage all aspects of training.
Email contact: Chris Schaefer
