Self-assessment is not just a step, but a key to your growth and development. It is a tool that helps you identify your strengths and areas for improvement, guiding you whether you are transitioning from K-12 education to corporate training or seeking to enhance your expertise. You can stay relevant in education by assessing your skills in curriculum design, classroom management, and instructional delivery. Moreover, you can thrive in the modern world by recognizing the value of adaptability, creativity, and technological proficiency. Exploring avenues for professional development not only bolsters your credentials but also opens doors to new opportunities. Fostering engagement and interaction in your instructional approach is not just a choice, but a necessity. Tapping into resources, such as this blog within the Full Sail University Instructional Design and Technology degree, is not just a suggestion but a strategy for career advancement and networking (Dr. Deason, 2024).
Self Assessment
Self-assessment is not just a concept, but a practice that's crucial in professional development, especially in educational leadership and adult learning contexts. It is about more than just evaluating skills and identifying transferable skills from K-12 education experiences. It is more about creating self-directed learning and aligned learning contracts. Learning contracts are not just documents but tools that foster ownership and commitment to the learning process. They are not just about setting objectives but preventing task exploitation and leading to meaningful learning experiences. Furthermore, they are not just about promoting relationships but about fostering leadership.
The topic of leadership assumptions sheds light on the differences between creative and controlling leaders. Creative leaders possess an optimistic view of human nature, emphasizing individuals' potential, providing them with challenging opportunities, and delegating responsibility. Studies have proven the merit of such optimistic assumptions, revealing their correlation with increased creativity and productivity. To facilitate the process of effective professional growth and development, ultimately leading to significant success for the organization, it is crucial to cultivate an environment of trust, autonomy, and empowerment in leadership roles.
Professional Development
As an educator or professional, you hold the key to cultivating an effective learning environment, particularly for adult learners. Adult learners' have a strong preference for learner-centered, collaborative, and supportive environments, emphasizing active participation, reflection, and interaction with peers and instructors. By fostering such an environment, you can facilitate successful transitions into new organizational roles, significantly impacting their learning journey.
A model that emphasizes the significance of boundary crossings in employees' careers, whether through promotion or external hire, leads to adaptation to new organizational cultures or subcultures (Knowles et al., 2011). The model focuses on new employee development (NED) through formal and informal processes to advance employees to desired performance levels. To combat high turnover rates among new employees, the model proposes a structured approach with four learning domains:
Individuals, people, organizations, and work tasks are each tailored to facilitate successful adaptation. Educational institutions also play a pivotal role in supporting NED by addressing various vital areas. Ultimately, the model highlights the importance of creating an optimal setting for adult learners undergoing new employee development (Knowles et al., 2011).
Learning Environment
Effective learning for adult students requires a supportive and engaging environment that prioritizes their need for interaction, collaboration, and active participation. Research indicates that adult learners value their time highly, as they often have professional and personal responsibilities that can interfere with their educational pursuits. (Keller & Deimann, 2018). As such, educational programs tailored to adult learners' busy schedules are necessary. These programs should recognize and accommodate the various factors that impact adult learners' ability to learn effectively, such as work-life balance and other time constraints. Educational institutions can help adult learners achieve their goals by creating a conducive environment that promotes effective learning.
Adult learners have different learning styles than children. While some nuanced differences may exist, both groups benefit from an educational environment emphasizing engagement, relevance, and autonomy. Intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning are critical components of adult education (Keller & Deimann, 2018). An inclusive educational approach that acknowledges learners' diverse needs and preferences is strongly recommended. This approach recognizes and builds on learners' prior experiences and expertise and encourages active participation in learning, promoting self-reflection and self-improvement. By fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment that addresses the unique needs of adult learners, educational institutions can help adult learners succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.
Self-assessment is not just a crucial step, but a gateway to professional growth, especially when transitioning to corporate training. By evaluating your skills and strengths, including transferable competencies like flexible delivery, curriculum design expertise, and adeptness with technology, you can pave the way for your professional success. Embrace professional development opportunities, gain certifications, and familiarize yourself with learning management systems. By doing so, you are enhancing your skills and fueling your passion for learning and growth. Create supportive and engaging learning environments that align with adult learners' preferences for collaboration and learner-centeredness. Leverage resources in Full Sail or other professional institutions and pursue growth opportunities to thrive as a valued instructor or trainer in corporate settings (Deason, 2024).
Keller, J.M. & Deimann, M. (2018). Motivation, volition, and performance. In R.A. Reiser and J.V. Dempsey (Eds.), Trends and issues in instructional design and technology (4th ed.) (pp. 78-86). New York, NY: Pearson.
Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., & Swanson, R. A. (2011). The Adult Learner (6th Edition). Elsevier Inc.
Deason, S. (2024). IDT 520 Blog. Retrieved from https://drdeason.wixsite.com/201911-blog-idt520
Professor, Helpful. The 6 Principles of Andragogy (Explained in 3 Minutes). (2013, October 12). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z02Wu0QAqo
Etsy (2024). Mastering Etsy SEO for Success. https://www.etsyshop.ai/etsy-seo/mastering-etsy-seo-for-success-855
Imani Ridley
Fostering an Inclusive Learning Environment
Creating an inclusive learning environment is vital for professional growth, particularly in adult education. Adult learners bring unique experiences, skills, and learning preferences to the classroom, necessitating a flexible and adaptive teaching approach. Unlike children, adults are often more self-directed, preferring autonomy in their learning journey. By acknowledging these differences, educators can create a supportive environment that fosters both personal and professional development. Offering opportunities for self-assessment and reflection helps learners identify areas where they need growth, creating a personalized roadmap that aligns with their goals. Inclusive environments not only accommodate different learning styles but also encourage collaboration and mutual respect. This focus on inclusivity allows adult learners to feel empowered in their…
As discussed in this blog post Adult learning is a dynamic and multifaceted process that involves self-assessment, professional development, and the learning environment. These elements are crucial for fostering growth and ensuring that learning is effective and meaningful.
Self-assessment is a powerful tool for adult learners. It involves reflecting on one’s own learning process, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and setting personal goals. This practice encourages self-regulated learning, where individuals take charge of their educational journey.
Professional development is essential for adult learners, especially those in the workforce. Unlike traditional education, professional development should be tailored to the unique needs and experiences of adults. This means recognizing their prior knowledge and skills and building upon them.
The learning environment plays a…
Curiosity:
In the blog post, I will discuss the first concept of the five principles of learner engagement, focusing on self-assessment, professional development, and the learner environment. Curiosity is the key principle. Adults often have a knowledge gap regarding self-assessment and understanding how to develop in their careers. Self-assessment and learner contracts can help individuals take ownership and commit to their learning process, identifying areas for improvement and growth in their career goals. Regarding professional development, learners may be curious about creating effective learning environments that encourage adult learners to engage and collaborate. The learning environment is crucial for learner engagement. For example, a positive and engaging environment with opportunities for collaboration and discussion can greatly enhance adult learning experiences,…
LaToya R. Jones
Instructional Design & Technology 0520-O
Case Study Blog Week 3
Dr. Chris Deason
25 May 2024
Learning by Doing
In this case blog presentation, we will discuss the learning strategy of Learning by Doing. The concept of learner engagement was identified as Social because the students were in a group setting and then eventually grouped into special groups such as pairs or tutoring/one-on-one sessions. The presenter stated that the teacher had to teach a lesson and the administrator came by to monitor the learning ability of the teacher to the students. In a classroom, one can have various learners, the key being how the teacher can reach each student to the point of understanding. Many…
LaToya Jones
Week 2 Class Discussion Post Response
17 May 2024
Idea 1: Trait vs. State/ Knowing Thy Self-
At the beginning of the class, the following was depicted in this Week 2 Live Discussion session on Zoom. I came into Zoom I had read Chapter 9, and I understood what was asked Soror Thompson stated that traits/ character is what a person is born with and the state is where that person is at that point and time. As I understood, the idea that people are born with these mire facts is considered set within a person believed to be a particular demographic area, gender, ethnicity, parents' educational background/levels, and economic background. According to the Oxford Review, the state…