Theories and Factors That Effect Adult Learning
Kristi Bell
MTTC Fall '06
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Learner Factors
Analyzing the student learners is a means to identify the learner characteristics that will likely impact the process and outcomes of the learning experience.
Factors
Description
Advantage
or
Contraint
Initial Ideas for Maximizing Positive Factors for Minimizing Negative Factors
   
+/-
 
Age
25-55 years old
+
Engage from prior knowledge and experiences.
Teaching Experience
2 year- 25 years
+
Engage prior experience.
Skill Level
Beginner-Advanced
+
Design instruction with various formats, direct teaching/exploratory with written instructions, to allow students to quickly acquire skills according to the method they are comfortable with.
Sex Distribution
6 F
+
Allow time for discussion of topics due to female audience.
Racial, Ethnic Diversity
NA
-
Not a factor in this project.
Educational Level
Bachelors to Masters
+
Use excitement about technology tools to encourage learning.
Disability or Impairment
ADD
-
Vary activities to maintain interest.
Developmentally Appropriate
All consistent with age
+
Meet learners at their level of learning. Some will need more direct attention than others.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Some Internet Skills Required
+
Seat inexperienced users beside more advanced users.
Related Experience
Classroom Educator
+
Brainstorm ways the new information could benefit the classroom.
Perception of Role as Student
Comfortable working with others and asking questions.
+
Allow peer tutoring and time for interaction.
Motivation for Learning
Strengthening curriculum
+
Demonstrate relevant usage of new skills.
Attitude Towards Subject
Willing Learners
+
Use music, door prizes, and chocolate to create first impression of learning environment. Creates willingness to participate.
Expectations from Course Usable information for classroom instruction.
+
Preview final products created during the training.
Competitiveness Yes
+
Teachers search and create lessons using new tools during the training. Allow time for teachers to share information they found.
Stage of Integration Beginning to advanced stage of user integration skills.
+
Give adequate documentation for teachers to reference.
Environment Factors
Analyzing the environment is a means to identify the issues that will impact the (a) process of the design and production, (b) implementation, and (c) outcomes of the learning experience.
Factors
Description
Advantage
or
Contraint
Initial Ideas for Maximizing Positive Factors or Minimizing Negative Factors
Design and Production
 
+/-
 
Materials Required Documentation handouts
+
Documentation allows teachers to reference new information after leaving training and will serve as a guide during training.
Production Equipment Available Computer lab with Internet access, Projector, WMP
+
Will schedule lab through librarian.
Time for Design and Production 2 hours
-
Sufficient time for learning new material, exploration on their own, and presentation of findings.
Department Technology Requirements none
+
Ensure network connectivity and Windows Media Player is installed.
Implementation Factors
     
Class Size  6
+
Collaborate with partner.
Class Period Length 2 -1 hour sessions
+
Demonstrate skills during first session. Teachers experiment with new information, then meet a second time to discuss findings and curriculum implications.
Location Computer Lab
+
Lab has sufficient space for 6 teachers.
Seating Arrangement Computers in a horseshoe shape. Seating determined by teachers.
+
Provides for comfortable environment for peer interaction.
Lighting Not a factor.
Not a factor.
Not a factor.
Temperature Not a factor.
Not a factor.
Not a factor.
Noise Not a factor.
Not a factor.
Not a factor.
Equipment 7 Internet ready computers and one projector
+
Projector provides guide for visual learners.

Technology Support

Additional Instructional Technology Specialist available upon request.
+
Ask ITS personnel for assistance if necessary.
Outcome Factors
     
State Requirements PDAS requirements. Curriculum TEKS support.
+
Follow state guidelines.
Employer Needs TA TEKS documentation required by district.
+
Follow district guidelines.
Co-worker Needs Scheduling lab through librarian.
-
Lab reservations made early to prevent conflicts.
Student Needs Refresh Internet skills if needed.
-
Ensure mastery of content.
Content Factors
Analyzing the content is a means to identify in general terms the topics to be addressed in your course and to analyze these topics in terms of the prerequisite sub-topics, and degree of learning difficulty.
Main Topics
Sub-Topics
(What is involved in learning each main topic?)
Readiness To Learn (Prerequisites Mastered)
Degree of Learning Difficulty (Real / Imagined)
Possible Instructional Strategies to Reduce or Manage Learning Difficulty
1. Learn to log in and locate curriculum based videos using United Streaming web site.

Locate and cite valid video and curriculum content

Understand how to stream and download videos.

Cite Sources.

Understand how to search the United Streaming database.

Understand how to use the Internet to locate information.

Know and understand copyright laws.

Research- medium level.

Save and document findings- easy

Accessing prior knowledge

Demonstrate citing sources and criteria for validating information.

Demonstrate knowlege of grade level TEKS.

2. Demonstrate how to find and create quizzes using United Streaming.

Create and locate usable quizzes for classroom use.

 

Use presentation skills to communicate effectively. Easy to medium difficulty

Download video and use it for instructional purposes.