Literature Review
It’s the 21st century; the 15th year of the 3rd millennium, and although we cannot predict the future, research suggests that certain types of learners can gain greater relevance when their educational process is merged with eLearning pedagogy (Dailey-Hebert & Donnelli, 2010, p. 216). When designing an eLearning course, and in the future mLearning courses, it is important to consider your audience, their age, and technical comfort level. Starting first with the different types of learning theories, it is essential to look at which learning theories apply best to the eLearning environment. Another significant factor that would apply to eLearning is how the different generations, from the 1960s to present day, feel about technology. …show more content…
Constructivism learning theory is based on the observation and scientific study of how people learn. Constructivism states that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world, through experience and reflection on those experiences. The constructivist theory applies the notion that if teachers and trainers are prepared to recognize their students learning capacities, that they are aware of the ways in which knowledge is mediated, and how past knowledge affects current learning, then applying the constructivism learning theory will have optimum results for both students and instructors (Fox, 2001).
Project-Based Learning Theory
Project-based learning is another learning theory that is effective for the current adult student population. Constructivism learning theory is one of the theories that Piaget and Vygotsky originally developed and where problem/project-based learning is derived from. Project-based learning is effective in eLearning environments and is applicable to achieving learning survival skills, and because it prepares students for the real-world work environment (Licht, 2014).
The type of survival skills that project-based learning exhibits are critical thinking and problem-solving, collaboration across networks, ability and adaptability, initiative and entrepreneurialism, effective oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information, curiosity, and imagination (Licht, 2014). …show more content…
Learning to understand the Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y, their characteristics, how they behave and learn, will be very helpful when applying instructional strategies and designing eLearning and mLearning courses.
Baby Boomers
This generation is passionate about participation in the workplace, bringing heart and humanity to the office and creating a fair playing field for all (Zemke, Raines & Filipczak, 1999). Baby Boomers are the largest generation in the current workforce. Employees in this group value on-job security and a stable working environment, likely to remain loyal and attached to an organization, and are idealistic, optimistic and driven (Wong, Gardiner, Lang & Coulon, 2008).
Generation X
This generation is comfortable with change and values balance in their lives. They work to live; not live to work (Zemke, Raines & Filipczak, 1999). Generation X are characterized as pessimistic, individualist, comfortable with change and diversity and unimpressed with authority. They tend to be more independent and self‐sufficient than people from the Baby Boomer generation and are more likely to leave one job and seek out more challenging options, a higher salary, or improved benefits, and require immediate, continuous feedback. They also value a strong work‐life balance (Wong, Gardiner, Lang &
It’s the 21st century; the 15th year of the 3rd millennium, and although we cannot predict the future, research suggests that certain types of learners can gain greater relevance when their educational process is merged with eLearning pedagogy (Dailey-Hebert & Donnelli, 2010, p. 216). When designing an eLearning course, and in the future mLearning courses, it is important to consider your audience, their age, and technical comfort level. Starting first with the different types of learning theories, it is essential to look at which learning theories apply best to the eLearning environment. Another significant factor that would apply to eLearning is how the different generations, from the 1960s to present day, feel about technology. …show more content…
Constructivism learning theory is based on the observation and scientific study of how people learn. Constructivism states that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world, through experience and reflection on those experiences. The constructivist theory applies the notion that if teachers and trainers are prepared to recognize their students learning capacities, that they are aware of the ways in which knowledge is mediated, and how past knowledge affects current learning, then applying the constructivism learning theory will have optimum results for both students and instructors (Fox, 2001).
Project-Based Learning Theory
Project-based learning is another learning theory that is effective for the current adult student population. Constructivism learning theory is one of the theories that Piaget and Vygotsky originally developed and where problem/project-based learning is derived from. Project-based learning is effective in eLearning environments and is applicable to achieving learning survival skills, and because it prepares students for the real-world work environment (Licht, 2014).
The type of survival skills that project-based learning exhibits are critical thinking and problem-solving, collaboration across networks, ability and adaptability, initiative and entrepreneurialism, effective oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information, curiosity, and imagination (Licht, 2014). …show more content…
Learning to understand the Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y, their characteristics, how they behave and learn, will be very helpful when applying instructional strategies and designing eLearning and mLearning courses.
Baby Boomers
This generation is passionate about participation in the workplace, bringing heart and humanity to the office and creating a fair playing field for all (Zemke, Raines & Filipczak, 1999). Baby Boomers are the largest generation in the current workforce. Employees in this group value on-job security and a stable working environment, likely to remain loyal and attached to an organization, and are idealistic, optimistic and driven (Wong, Gardiner, Lang & Coulon, 2008).
Generation X
This generation is comfortable with change and values balance in their lives. They work to live; not live to work (Zemke, Raines & Filipczak, 1999). Generation X are characterized as pessimistic, individualist, comfortable with change and diversity and unimpressed with authority. They tend to be more independent and self‐sufficient than people from the Baby Boomer generation and are more likely to leave one job and seek out more challenging options, a higher salary, or improved benefits, and require immediate, continuous feedback. They also value a strong work‐life balance (Wong, Gardiner, Lang &