Tim and I had a conversation this morning about what teachers would call learning styles. That's not what Tim calls them. He's tired of having to communicate with everyone in the special way they require when none of these people, who are functioning adults, ever try to understand things from his way of communicating.

His point was that when we teach children only in the way they learn best, they grow to think the whole world will accommodate them in that way the rest of their lives. He has a point. Most employers aren't going to coddle you.

So here's the question: are you an adult student who expects to learn only in the way you learn best, in your own learning style? Or are you open to trying to think and learn in new ways, in all possible ways?

For many of us, one graduate degree is a major accomplishment. Rightly so. But there are non-traditional students out there earning dual international business degrees. Joseph Rosenbloom wrote this week about Nabeel Siddiqui, a 29-year-old from India, for The New York Times.

Siddiqui is a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management and the École des Hautes Études Commerciales in Paris at the same time. Master's degrees in hand, he'll be prepared to work for any international company in any country.

"I don't have any inhibitions to go to any country and start working for a business. I don't have to think twice about it," he said.

Dual-degree international programs is a growing trend. Could it be the right move for you? Are you in such a program, or considering one? Tell us about it.

President Obama plans to celebrate the one-year anniversary of his election by focusing on $4.35 billion in education grant money for which states can compete. The money gets doled out in January. Will any of  it reach you?

I don't know, but I hope so. If you've been thinking about going back to school, keep your eyes and ears open. Pay attention to where the money goes in your own state. You just might have an opportunity to improve your education, your skills, your place in the workforce. Don't miss out.

Over at The New York Times, there's a debate about The 40-Something Dependent Child. Think "All in the Family" from the 60s. Are you one? Are your parents funding your education as a non-traditional student? How do you feel about it? Grateful, or just plain dependent?

As the Guide to Continuing Education, I'm an advocate of higher education no matter how you get it. Well, within the law. Chances are on your side that with additional education, you can make your own way through life and pay back any debts you've accumulated, to parents or anyone else.

How do you feel about 40-somethings who are still dependent on mom and dad?

Literacy councils are in the spotlight this week, and here's an example of an article I wrote for my local newspaper about a mother and daughter who found help with ESL at the Twin Lakes Literacy Council in Mountain Home, Arkansas: Twin Lakes Literacy Council provides private help for all ages.

I'll be writing more about the kind of help you can find at these wonderful places. Watch for new articles on this site.

Does work experience carry the same weight with employers as the completion of a school project? Not in Tonya Buddie's experience. She's a non-traditional student of undisclosed age at Clarkson University. She met with seven employers and ten undergrad students to discuss how the school ranked among other schools as far as employment prospects.

"I listened as the employers, for the most part, agreed that a student with project involvement through their academic studies outranked those with related work experience. This baffled me. How can six years experience be not as good as or better than a school project? Even so, I still do not regret working first."

Have you had an experience like Tonya's? I agree with her, it's baffling how a company could give more weight to a single school project than to six years of experience, unless the experience does not relate to the job in question.

What do you think?

Martin Gardner turned 95 last week. For more than 50 years, he wrote math puzzles for Scientific American, and he wasn't a math wiz. John Tierney wrote about Gardner last week for The New York Times.

When you make something like math fun, it can make learning so much easier. Gardner talks about puzzles that elicit that Aha! moment when everything becomes clear.

If you're struggling with math as a non-traditional student earning your GED or a degree, it doesn't matter, pick up a book of math puzzles. It might be just what you need to experience Aha! for yourself.

Have you had success using puzzles to understand math? Talk to us.

If you're struggling to find day care for your children so you can go to class, remember the 8 child care options we've metnioned on the site. Have some ideas of your own to share. Talk to us!

Do you have a brown-bag lunch series in your community? Maybe at the local community college? Don't know? Check it out.

Many community colleges offer brown-bag lunch series that are free and open to the public. Each one features a guest speaker on a fascinating topic.

What could be better than feeding your mind while noshing on lunch?

Tell us about the brown-bag lunch series you've attended.

On Maui, artists can take a class called The Business of Art from accomplished artist Ira Ono on how to make good business decisions as an artist. Good idea. People who are wonderful artists aren't always great at conducting business, but if you want your art to be your business, it's time to sign up for continuing education and learn what you need to know.

I realize you're not likely to be jetting off to the Hawaiian islands for continuing ed. Look for a similar class in your own community. Can't find one? Suggest it. In an artful way, of course.