Adult learners are diverse, and bring different expertise, needs and experiences to learning opportunities. To understand learners and their learning, learners will examine diverse instances of adult learning in differing contexts, and in the process examine learning theories and the assumptions behind the major learning theories. Through this process, they will critically analyse major trends in adult learning such as the use of technology, workplace learning, self-directed learning, and what such trends mean for learners. Learners can flourish or struggle in different contexts that afford differing learning opportunities and challenges and contribute or not, to enhancing identities as a learner, and professional identities.

To uncover learners’ experiences, circumstances and biographies and the kinds of knowledge and expertise they bring, course learners will undertake in depth interviews with a small number of adult learners, and in the process develop some knowledge of interviewing design and technique. By delving deeper into interpretations of these interviews, assumptions about knowledge, about learners and learning will be uncovered, contributing to a reframing of beliefs and assumptions about learners, learning, knowledge and skills, and their theoretical perspectives.

Design of learning is often limited to ‘instructional’ design or curriculum, referring to formal, structured courses, usually delivered in educational settings. ‘Design of learning’ is a term which provides opportunity to innovate beyond educational settings to a range of different settings in which adults live and work. Keeping in mind that different instructional, curriculum, and learning design approaches, and their different teaching and learning strategies reflect particular learning theories, learners will consider the benefits and limitations of these varied strategies, approaches, principles and models.

Drawing on their own experience and empirically-based case studies, they will examine the different theoretical and practical approaches to design and facilitation of learning and assessment, and be encouraged and supported to try approaches and techniques new to them. They will also facilitate sessions, of learning in a setting(s) of their choosing. This course will model innovative teaching and learning design and facilitation. Using a dialogical inquiry approach, feedback from peers will contribute to identification and naming (with reference to theory) of the assumptions and theoretical approaches they are using.

BXL643: Integrating Technology and Workplace Learning

This course brings together technologies for learning and workplace learning, important for work-based learning experiences. Technology is ubiquitous in learning and in workplaces; just as learning is ubiquitous in work settings. In this course, we will zoom in to use a range of technological apps in online, classroom and work settings and critique their possibilities and limitations. In the process, learners will experience different pedagogical approaches and examine the online learning environment and how it informs possibilities for facilitating learning. In addition, learners will explore a range of workplace learning strategies, and their use and effectiveness in work and online settings. These different spaces of learning will be brought together through examining different examples, drawing also from their own experience.

A critical engagement with literature from differing perspectives of workplace learning, and technology enabled learning will provide the context for evaluations of different strategies for learning in workplace and technology enabled settings. The focus is to develop seamless learning experiences across different learning environments. Learners will choose a technology enabled and/or workplace learning setting to apply teaching and learning strategies they design, and evaluate their design and facilitation, with peers.