15/09/10 Impact of Environmental Factors on Adult Learning

The 4 Environment Factors (demographic factors, psychosocial factors, technological factors, socio-cultural factors)

Demographic factors; career phase & work experience, age.

Psychosocial factors; motivational levels, learning styles, memory lapses, physical surrondings.

Socio-cultural factorsp; societal perceptions about adult learning.

Technological factors; computer literacy, access through IT.

It is most interesting to note that Environmental factors can influence the way one learn or achieve at the work place. The 4 environmental factors, demographic (career phases and age), psychosocial (motivational levels, learning styles, physical), socio-cultural (adult learning, social interaction) and technological (computer literacy) plays an important role in our work experience.

The two environment factors which are more important to me are Demographic and Psychosocial factors. This is when workers bring along their past professional experiences and expectations into the new workplace. Their initial interest and commitment usually covers career opportunity, growth and work responsibilities. As they move on through the years, they will acquire new skills, knowledge and peer support which would be required of them to perform their job competently. As their length of service increases, their sense of belonging and loyalty to the Company also increases. Motivational factors which play these parts are recognition of good works by superior and peers, having a desired goal set and having a strong employment safety net. Incentives (intrinsic and extrinsic) are reinforcement of motivation which the worker would require to fulfill their own individual needs.

The environmental factors can impact on the worker’s Three Dimensions of learning which covers Cognition, Emotions and Sociality. Basing on psychosocial factors (motivational, learning styles and physical surrounding) it falls into the emotion and cognition of a learner which are the core reasons of one’s purpose of inspiration and demographic factors (career phases and age) which falls into the emotional aspect of how one views themselves in terms of achievement in life. Therefore if these two main environment factors are not addressed from the beginning, it will subsequently be a barrier to the learner.

22/09/10 C3 - Conextualise & Apply Learning Theories & Approachers to Environment Factors

The application of the 3 dimensions of learning model (TDLM) is important for the role of an AE. Through it, the AE will be able to identify the weakness and strengths according to Cognition, Emotion and Sociality of the learner.

The following are the attributes of the TDLM;

Cognition:- preferred ways of learning, processing styles, personal reflections, ways of expressing ideas, memory retention. (Learning Theories are; Experiential Learning, Critical Thinking, Reflective Practice.)

Emotion:- motivation, self concept, readiness to learn, experience, attitudes to learning. (Learning Theories are; Self-Directed Learning, Experiential Learning, Transfornative Learning)

Sociality:- invovement of family, community, idividual, computer literacy to stay connected to the world. (Learning Theories; Collaborative Learning, Experiential Learning, Transformative Learning)

Learning Theories and Methods

Experiential Learning; role-play, models, games, outdoor adventure sessions

Following was the experiential learning which was conducted by me on 26 Aug 2010 for my Company's F&B and Secretariat staff. The use of collaborative learning through discussions and brainstorming was carried out in the board room before the participants were brought to the field. The objective of the lesson is "Team Building" through action. Though majority of the participants have never played paintball before, especially the ladies,it was an eye opener for all as they learned the essentials of team building through outdoor game and peer learning.

Critical Thinking; self or group reflections, role-plays, presentations, demonstrations, quizzes.

Self-Directed Learning; drill and practice, problem-solving, case studies, brainstorming, projects.

Transformative Learning; Problem-solving, case studies, role plays, self reflection, service learning.

Collaborative Learning; debates, discussions, problem solving, brainstorming, peer practice, peer teaching.

Kolb's cycle of experiential learning

Concrete Experience (CE)

Learners are task to act out on an activity through kinaesthetic modes. Learners are to make sense of a task while acting on it before structure information is given.

Abstract Conceptualization (AC)

information is first relayed through in-depth analyses or visual before acting on the task.

Critical Reflection (CR)

Information is carried out through deep reflection activities.

Active Experimentation (AE)

Process of information through practice involving role plays, case studies, hands-on experiments.