CONNECTIVISM

The Mind Map

Understanding the process of the adult learner in this day and age is complicated. There are so many avenues that influence the adult learner; instructors have to have a vast and diverse amount of knowledge to relate to them. Creativity, knowledge, flexibility and an open mind are some of the qualities that are needed to teach adult learners The instructors have to also be willing to learn from the students too because they all can share their experiences and get other ideas on how to excel in their life as well.

In order to get and keep their attention the course information has to relate to their professional or personal life. There is no one specific way to teach this type of learner but they have to be engage in the course information. They have to be interested in acquiring the knowledge that is offered. The main questions on their mind are “What’s in it for me”  and “How is this information going to benefit me The information that is being taught has to have substance and or relevance to the life that they lead on a personal or professional level.

The mind map displayed shows some of the factors that affect my learning experience. Technology has affected the entire concept of learning, to include how we teach, how we learn and how we communicate. Email, social media, Internet web sites, television blogs and the news, everything is in real time. Each person is exposed to the most up to date information available. I remember back in the day, all of our influence and knowledge came from our family, friends and teachers. All of our communication was face to face but today we are exposed to a whole new world. A challenge would be for us to have developed a mind map in high school and compare it to the mind map of today. Talk about mind blowing!!!