311 – Assignment 4.2

Assignment 4.2

Chapter 8 of the text addresses the issue of relationships in learning.  Adult educators should recognize the roles of relationships in learning and how best to facilitate them.  According to the text, good educators need to be able to offer activities that support both relational and autonomous learning.  For this assignment, think about some of the learning activities that you have designed either for this class or that you have created as an instructor or curriculum developer.

Select a topic or subject matter that you have instructed or created curriculum for – using Figure 8.3 and the Learning and Facilitating Principles on pages 168 – 171 discuss the following:

• Describe an activity you have designed that strongly supports autonomous learners. How could you modify this activity to support relational learners?
• Describe an activity you have designed that strongly supports relational learners. How could you modify this activity to support autonomous learners?
• Describe an activity that provides balanced support for both types of learners. If you don’t already have one, create one in addition to the two already discussed.

Strongly Supports Autonomous Learners:
I provide several opportunities for autonomous learners by giving them access to online resources for particular subjects. This works with applications based trainings such as “How to use PowerPoint.” The step-by-step actions (provided in video format, images, and/or text) that may require repetition are provided online so the learner can go over them as much or as little as required.

Strongly Supports Relational Learners:
We have workshops targeted at different curricular areas in which sharing is the central theme of the learning day. For example, we have a Social Studies 2.0 workshop that consists of introductions where each person has to share a success they have had since the last time we met. We then have them share with the group any technology they may be using and the pros and cons are discussed and how others may use the ideas. We will also introduce new technologies (by either invited guest or shared by me) and talk about different ways they may be used.

Provides Balanced Support:
I provide teachers a WordPress account from our organization and in doing so, give them the opportunity to learn how to implement their website as a classroom information portal. For the autonomous users, I provide them with an address, username and password. I also provide for them a collection of print resources, online resources, and informational webinars they can use to learn on their own. For the relational learners, I provide onsite workshops where the learner can get to know others and how they are planning and using their web presence. I give them time to discuss with others what they are planning also time for questions that can be explained one to one or in a group setting.