Abstract:

For many centuries, educators have approached the learning process by assessing student knowledge through the memorization of facts (rote) and their ability to recall such content knowledge. However, for many students this arduous process of memorization provided more of a negative impact on their perception of education and possibly prevented them from seeking further post-secondary education. Knowles (1980) noted that “adult [learners] see education as a process of developing increased competence to achieve their full potential in life. They want to be able to apply whatever knowledge and skill they gain today to life more effective tomorrow.” As a result, we need a change in our approach to teaching in keeping our students more in tune with education and motivated to want to see additional education and explore other lifelong learning experiences. In this presentation, the author proposes a new 3-part learning model to achieve these learning objectives of seeking additional education and purposing more lifelong learning opportunities. This new model, called the Virtual Change Learning Model (VCLM), consists of three parts: 1) relevance; 2) reality, and 3) re-use. This model helps to accomplish a more “needed” change to the learning process for adult learners in order to help learners see relevance in learning, visualize or experience some aspect of reality or relationship of the given topic/concepts, as well as how they can re-use or later apply their learning. Rather than focusing on the old method of recall, adult learners are more connected to the material with the VCLM approach to learning. If learners can see connections in terms of use in their person and professional lives, there is a great probability that they will want to become more participatory in their learning, as well as want to see additional learning opportunities. Thus, the final outcome of this presentation is to how this new approach can be helpful not only in the virtual learning environment, but it can also be utilized in regular face-to-face (F2F) learning classrooms as well. While many schools, whether they have F2F or virtual classroom, may still use the old “cookie cutter” approach to education and hope that standardized classrooms (and templates) will help all learners learn in the same fashion, we have to consider that each adult learner has their own learning style. Thus, we have to consider that as there are many different learning styles, and as such, educators need to reconsider the teaching and learning process. Consequently, the use of this new model, VCLM, helps to provide a new approach to various learning styles, while helping to motivate and encourage all learners to want more education – but to help guide them to find this need and desire for more education on their own terms and perhaps with a new “perception” of learning today.

Keywords:

Virtual learning, online learning, virtual change learning model, adult learning.