• Adult Learning Online

    • Learning Themes

      Apply relevant principles and theory to support adult learners online

      • Identify instructional/design problems and propose solutions appropriate for adult online learners

      Manage the online course environment

      • Use appropriate strategies and tools to establish and maintain instructor presence

      Overview

      Theory into Practice

      Adult learners often have similar desires: courses that are challenging, collaborative, and flexible to accommodate their different work/life situations and learning styles. They appreciate knowing why and how they are to learn (and be evaluated) and like to engage in learning activities that are relevant, applicable, and meaningful.

      When you teach online, you may have to adapt your adult teaching strategies and the way you develop learning activities, to accommodate the impact of the change in learning environment and the ways in which you can monitor, interact and adapt your practice with each new group of learners. You will need to consider the "affordances" of the technologies you have available, and think about how your beliefs about teaching might affect how you approach online teaching and learning.

      In this unit you'll explore some key ideas that apply to our work with adult learners online, including what is often referred to as "learning styles" and "adult learning" theory.

      The least important thing is becoming an expert on any learning theory, style or teaching strategy. The most important thing is understanding the main IDEAS, and being able to USE them as tools/supports for your thinking and problem solving when you are making instructional designs and decisions.

    • Week 2 Activities

    • Week 2 Readings and Resources Book
    • Complete the Teaching Perspectives Inventory. You'll receive an email with your results. How might this affect how you approach online teaching? URL
    • (Optional) Complete Felder & Soloman Learning Style Questionnaire. You'll receive an email with the results. Consider what this may mean for you and online learning URL

    • Week 2 Mini-Session Activities (Participants)

    • Mini-session: How do adult learners get their needs met online?

    • Week 2 Mini-Session Overview Page
    • FORUM: Week 2 Wiki Activity Support
    • Wiki Activity: How/Do Adult Learners get their needs met online?
    • How to use the Wiki tool (video) URL

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      Mini-session:  Course Review Task Force (Case Study)

    • Case: Course Review Task Force (Class) Forum
    • Case: Course Review Task Force Book

    • Week 2 Mini-Session Planning (Facilitators) 

    • Week 2 Back Pocket Strategies Book
    • FORUM: Week 2 Mini-Session Planning (Team)

    • Reminder:  Ongoing Activities

      Don't forget to post "nuggets" from your Learning Journal in theForum Weekly Journal Share forum; look for the discussion thread that the ISWo facilitators start and post to that so everyone's "nuggets" are easy to find and read. Don't forget to assess your participation; include some comments in your sharing.

      Did anything special catch your attention this week? Can you think of a way to demonstrate or illustrate that to other participants? Don't forget to collect images, quotes, and meaningful moments for a final reflective activity in Week 5.

      ForumsPost your feedback to mini-session facilitators. Look for the thread for each mini-session (posted by the ISWo facilitators).

      If you facilitated this week, don't forget to complete your SurveyFLIF (Feel, Like, Improve, Feedback) by Sunday night (or Monday morning smile)