Different Learning Needs
Sometimes students can be intimidated with projects and lessons that demand critical thinking skills and a more flexible range of responses. To ease this transition, it helps to
pose open-ended questions that do not require a mandatory written response. The same questions can be re-introduced at different intervals so that students can add to their responses with new material that is learned. It's important to be mindful of students who are craving a more intellectual experience.
Hi Renee,
Your comments are right on target concerning the adult learner. I am sure it is because you were one as you worked through your educational experience. Sometimes instructors forget that students are working full time making all types of decisions and performing skill tasks and they want to be respected for what they are doing in their work life as well as being students.
You are right about the online catching on because of the opportunities that adult learners have to access the courses and then use their experience to be successful in them.
Gary
I like your idea of posing open-ended questions, which I also use quite a bit. I think course materials should be designed to meet the needs of learners whith differing levels of expertise and experience with the subject matter, language skills, technical know-how, learning styles, and physical abilities.
I think adult learners, in particular, like to direct their education, which is one reason that I think online education has really caught on with these students. As a former adult learner myself, I was engaged in the business world all week and preferred that same kind of "hands-on" approach when I was in class. I liked to advance through educational materials rapidly and liked immediate gratification of my work.
Renee Weeks
Hi Danielle,
Good strategy. Thanks for sharing I know it will be of benefit to other participants.
Gary
