Jul 28, 2016

Learner Orientation

Learner orientation is one of the ten trends on the EdTalks. They focus on the two factors: how the learners orient themselves in the direction of learning and how the school supports them. Earlier the learners estimate themselves according to the final result and score, supposed that the certificate will give the possibilities for the learner. In past, it worked. But now so many people have the qualification and the certificate is not enough now. The society doesn’t pay much attention to your knowledge, the employers care about your ability to integrate your skills in the real world conditions.

School orientation

So, the school has to be oriented on the learner needs. The first need is actionable knowledge when the young people learn not only to know but to do as well. The students have to use their knowledge to impact the world and perform the task on their daily job. It demands active participation and contribution from the students. The global focus has switched to the process when the learner gains appropriate skills while learning.

The teachers used to teach the same material in the same way for the parents and then their children but the life went ahead, everything has changed. The education has to adapt to the person’s experience and possibilities. The learning process in the adaptive learning has to be personalized to bring profit to the each person. The school is aimed to support the learners using new approaches and new tools.

To maximize the outcomes for learners the teachers must recognize an individual component. The educators have to be ready to meet learners preferences. For example, they may start from the environment, to make them comfortable for the active learning, not only for the control. Then, the technology demands changes. New technologies will simplify the preparation for the lessons and provide students with many creative tools.

Lifelong learning

Lifelong learning orientation needs to engage people to study new things throughout all stages of life. The university needs to teach students to estimate the information on the internet to gain information literacy. The learners study to handle information. The teachers focus on helping their students acquire skills and students tend to set their own goals according to the learning plan. Students learn how to study and how to develop a career path. Modern universities create a hub to learn collaboratively. Also, the program teaches students to estimate themselves and know their level. The practice assignments have to be linked with the future work.

Lifelong learning orientation focuses on the changing the attitude to the education. The people have used to the modern system where each student is a part of the process and learn to think, to generate and implement ideas. They learn to make connections between different fields of knowledge. A new way to teach requires a long-term approach, not only the learning before the final exam.

Lifelong learners are flexible and may study everywhere and anytime. They develop their problem-solving skills, creativity, and experimentation. Adults approach learning as problem-solving. They create positive self-concept to go ahead with their talents and wishes. The learners set habit to learn using each possibility, be open to applying new software and be aware of the up-to-date tools. Also, many universities have the centers where the students may get the help.

There is the orientation on the motivation according to the student’s purpose. The teachers play a big role in the inspiration. For example, lifelong learning teacher lead students in the right direction and encourage them to develop learning style. The teacher may reward student’s achievement.

Another one point is the learning to understand the subject and make the opportunities for the self-directed learners. They prefer task-oriented method in place of memorization — learning process has to be in the context of current tasks to be performed.

Learner orientation demands active participation and contribution from the students. The global focus has switched to the process when the learner gains appropriate skills while learning. To maximize the outcomes for learners the teachers must recognize an individual component. The educators have to be ready to meet learners preferences. For example, they may start from the environment, to make them comfortable for the active learning, not only for the control.

The university needs to teach students to estimate the information on the internet to gain information literacy. The learners set habit to learn using each possibility, be open to applying new software and be aware of the up-to-date tools. They are motivated by their purpose and develop the ability to integrate their skills in the real world conditions.