Please, take a look at these articles, appears in AACE Journal, Vol. 16, Iss. 2, 2008.
Characteristics of Adult Learners With Implications for Online Learning Design.
State of Connecticut, USA.
Abstract
The online educational environment is increasingly being used by adults and should be designed based on the needs of adult learners. This article discusses andragogy, an important adult learning theory, and reviews three other adult learning theories: self-directed learning, experiential learning, and transformational learning. During this discussion, the theories are examined for the ways in which they may be applied to the design of online learning environments. In addition, the characteristics of adult learners are examined, and an analysis of how these characteristics influence the design of an online learning environment is presented. Recommendations follow regarding how to design an online classroom environment while considering the application of adult learning theories.
The online educational environment is increasingly being used by adults and should be designed based on the needs of adult learners. This article discusses andragogy, an important adult learning theory, and reviews three other adult learning theories: self-directed learning, experiential learning, and transformational learning. During this discussion, the theories are examined for the ways in which they may be applied to the design of online learning environments. In addition, the characteristics of adult learners are examined, and an analysis of how these characteristics influence the design of an online learning environment is presented. Recommendations follow regarding how to design an online classroom environment while considering the application of adult learning theories.
A New Pathway for E-Learning: From Distribution to Collaboration and Competence in E-Learning.
University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany.
Abstract
The article describes the current challenge for e-learning in higher education, which is to support development of competence. This poses great challenges to e-learning in higher education, mainly because the way it has been designed, in many cases, does not fit with supporting competence development. Rather, it facilitates the mere transfer of knowledge. Two different modes of e-learning organization are differentiated and described: the distributive and the collaborative e-learning modes. It is argued that the collaborative mode holds more potential for competence development than the distributive mode.
The article describes the current challenge for e-learning in higher education, which is to support development of competence. This poses great challenges to e-learning in higher education, mainly because the way it has been designed, in many cases, does not fit with supporting competence development. Rather, it facilitates the mere transfer of knowledge. Two different modes of e-learning organization are differentiated and described: the distributive and the collaborative e-learning modes. It is argued that the collaborative mode holds more potential for competence development than the distributive mode.
Source: AACE Journal