As I researched into recent trends in adult learning and post-basic education, i keep finding a recurring pattern that links back to technology and AI, and the many uses for this in the classroom.
The article above, explains how adult learning has moved away from being in-person lectures and academic assignments, to more skill based learning. As an adult learner, and someone who has spent a lot of time in post-basic education; specifically 21 years as a learner. I have seen the classrooms evolve and change. It started with lectures, and large cohorts of adults sitting in a room, just listening; and I am sure that for some courses this is still required. But as I moved into the graduate programs, it became more about self-directed work. Personal motivations. Where learners can take control of their journey, it is not shaped by strict structures, but flexible program around employment and family obligations.
The shift into making learning more self-directed has made people feel in control of their learning. I have been part of this, where I had the flexibility of choosing my classes, and doing it around full-time work. As life is expensive, and taking time to develop ones self can be a costly experience. The flexibility has made it more accessible.
As I look at the impact this article may have upon my role as an educator to an adult learners, I am drawn to think about the ways in which my instructors helped me. There was support throughout. The need to be present, but give room for movement.
Another change that I have seen impact classrooms is the use of AI. How much is too much? how can it be used effectively, whilst maintaining the learners own thoughts, ideas and opinions? I am new to AI use in school. I wrote all of my papers before there was a tool to do this. I think I will need to be vigilant on how this tool is used in developing and leading classes, but also how the students are using it. In one of my classes the instructor had been teaching for a long time. They went back to making the student use pen and paper in person to write a reflection. The point of this was to get the true feelings of the learner, there was no pressure on grammar, spelling or any citations. It was an exercise to encourage understanding what we truly thought and felt.
I am struggling with the thought of online programming, as the article references collaborative learning, my personal thoughts on this are better in person. This is also feedback I have had from many colleagues. Especially in the early childhood field. As the job is an in-person job, there are no options for supervising a class of 24 3-5 year old’s, so it makes sense to me to instruct ECE’s in person. Creating activities such as group work to foster peer-to-peer relationships. Hybrid learning is the best approach I could adopt, to allow for flexibility whilst helping to build the skills necessary for work in childcare.
I need to spend more time looking into the online platform and how this works for early childhood education. Does this align with the job? Can we as humans share the same feelings and emotions behind a screen. In my class of 3-5 year old’s, they read body language, pauses in speech and other physical cues. Has this changed for adult learners, or is it the same? This is an area that without trying, cannot be determined by just thinking.
I’d like to think I am adaptable and able to change with these trends, that my own personal journey has shown me. I am left with an overall thought of “Can I share my passion with others, whilst understanding their feelings, and thoughts and offer flexible options to learn?” Making connection before content.
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