Saturday, April 18, 2015

Responding to Adult Learning in the Digital Age

The Connected Adult
Just how are we linking with others, whether across the hall or across the globe?  Computer-mediated communication (CMC) refers to the many technologies and options for connecting virtually.  “CMC illustrates communication taking place through a technology-enhanced medium that has the ability to span time and space; two or more people are sending and receiving messages” (Joosten, 2012).  Increasingly technology is our link to family, friends, community, and the world. 

With the Internet, a wide range of educational opportunities exists from synchronous, instruction that is in real time with learners meeting online to engage in discussion, lecture, or activities, to asynchronous, instruction that is not bound by time and can be accessed at learners’ leisure, 24/7 (Merriam & Bierema, 2014).

Adult Learners Online
For online lifelong learning to be most effective, learners should have technical skill and open attitudes toward online learning; be prepared for and interested in learning; and belong to online communities that encourage participation within appositive, sociable community.  Being prepared for lifelong online learning may be frustrating to many adult learners as the technology continues to advance (Merriam & Bierema, 2014). 

The course, EDU 630 Adult Education, has given real time learning opportunities.  We have engaged in various online projects and online discussions.  I agree that an adult have to be prepared for the experience of online learning.  The opportunity offers valuable skill sets and learning opportunities. 

Information Literacy
I must add to this blog and ad to Tamara’s blog of the importance of information literacy.  It could be easy and without thought to answer homework question by only what the Internet has to offer, but where is the integrity of that?  I hope that learners of all ages will have proper training and awareness of how important information literacy is.   

What is information literacy?



                                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sHvQa0vR_M 


References

Joosten, T., 2012.  Social media for educators: Strategies and best practices.  San Francisco, CA:  Jossey-Bass.


Merriam, S.B. & Bierema, L.L. (2014). Adult learning:  Linking theory and practice.  San Francisco, CA:  Jossey-Bass.

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