Learning From Each Other

Trends in Our Fields and in Adult Education

After having a great Zoom conversation with my fellow classmate, Jeshna Unnath, it was time to review and reflect on what we discussed in regards to trends in our fields and trends in education. I had the opportunity to learn that Jeshna is really interested in competency-based education (CBE) that focuses on real-life and specific skills. CBE focuses on the teaching of specific skills versus the traditional learning system that involves, theory, written assignments, and exams. Important aspects of teaching that are important to her include being flexible and supportive for her students, focusing on what students have learned and retained, as well as ways that she can help students improve and learn.

Jeshna also discussed that in her previous roles as a Program Planner for Health Sciences at the College of New Caledonia (CNC), the school was incorporating more blended learning and hyflex learning. Blended learning incorporates both face to face learning and online learning. Hyflex allows flexibility for students because it allows students to attend class online or in-person. The flexibility in these types of learning environments allow students to attend school, and work. She has noted that many people prefer asynchronous learning as it allows them to learn at their own pace. I am familiar with asynchronous learning, as the Pharmacy Technician program allows for 10 months of online asynchronous learning for the theory portion of the course.

Technology, including AI (artificial intelligence), VR (virtual reality), gamification, as well as social learning were discussed in our conversation. It is really interesting to see more technology being utilized as teaching resources, as well as to support student learning. We utilized Zoom to collaborate and learn from each other during our discussion that this blog is about. It is also important to note that not all schools are able to utilize AI due to privacy and security risks, but AI can be a valuable tool for educators. Social learning is another way that technology can help adults learn. Not all adults are able to afford to attend college or university, but platforms such as YouTube allow adults to learn by watching videos on the subject.

In our conversation, we also discussed factors such as equity, diversity, and inclusion and trauma-informed practice. Universities and colleges are adopting policies regarding equity, diversity, and inclusion to support the diverse needs of our students, as well as to support employees. Trauma-informed practice includes supporting our students and helping them learn in a way that supports their learning and helps to ease emotional and psychological factors that may affect their learning.

An important note is that we both discussed is how important lifelong learning is too the both of us. As an educator and healthcare worker, learning is continuous, and self-directed learning can be a big part of adult learning regardless if it is formal, informal, or nonformal learning.

I really enjoyed my conversation with Jeshna and it was a great learning opportunity. To learn more about what we discussed, listen to the recording of our discussion below.