Interview: Learning Agency Network

It was summer 2009, when I first met Rolf Reinhardt on LinkedIn. He was at the time the executive manager at the European Foundation for Quality in E-Learning (EFQUEL) and was organising their first conference on long distance learning. Reinhardt has since then become only more involved in Adult Learning —if that’s ever possible. Characteristic of him is that he operates on an international level.

In this interview he discusses among other things: his educational projects, his views on Adult Learning and the importance of networks.

It’s all a question of Trust

“You know what your problem is? You believe that everybody thinks and acts as goody-goody as you do.” The look my colleague gave me as he said this, made me feel quite uneasy. It was a sort of ‘ah ye naïve old fool’ look. Coming from anybody else I would’ve considered this comment a layered compliment. However, coming from him it felt like a downright warning.

Why can’t you break away?

One of my favourite pastimes is observing people. I do this on the streets, at train stations and bus stops and even while waiting in line at the grocery store. It does sound kind of quirky, I admit. On the other hand however, you do learn a lot about communication and the human species just by taking a closer look at the people around you.

No Dogs, No Blacks, No Jews…

The notice ‘No Dogs, No Blacks, No Jews’ was a fairly common one only just a few decades ago. Generally used to indicate the likes an owner wanted —but most of all didn’t want— in his establishment. Some things have changed since then. People don’t openly say this nowadays. What I’m wondering though, has the leopard really changed his spots? Or can we now extend the list with ‘…No Arabs. No Polish’?

Doodle Ye Nay – Doodle Ye Yea!

You might not see it now, but as a teenager I was terribly gawky and terribly geeky. And as if that in itself wasn’t enough, I was also your regular Miss Goody-Two-Shoes. However, one of my rare Jimmy Dean streaks was to fervently doodle. I’d doodle while on the phone; I’d doodle while taking minutes at our Friday night Youth Club and I’d doodle in classes.

I’d even go so far as to quickly round up my tests, so I could doodle on the sides and bottom of my answer page(s). The look on my teachers’ faces as I handed in my test paper was worth it. Every single time.

Socrates age 4?

What do I know? “I only know that I know nothing.” The classical Greek philosopher Socrates was definitely one who understood how little he knew. And also understood how to go about acquiring knowledge. For the rest of us, children of lesser Gods, it’s only when we’re forced by circumstances in life, we learn that we’re wrong about a lot of things.

Bite the bullet

Magnate Warren Buffet is famous for saying: “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.” This pearl of wisdom, like most of Mister Buffet’s quotes, is based on his broad experience in doing business with all sorts, shapes and sizes. And as a consequence of its connotation, this insightful quote very much appeals to our imagination.

Single Stories and Blind Spots

Have you ever written someone off based solely on their appearances or your first impressions? Giving them no second chance for the benefit of the doubt? No logic, no arguments, no facts. Your decision based on nothing else but preconceived notions.