What Are The Most Important Technology Focused Learner Take-ons in Adult Learning?

 What are the most important technology focused learner take-ons in adult learning?

It's a simple question really.  Thinking about the learner responsibilities needed to ensure a successful technology adoption in adult learning sounds like a basic task.  However, when you look deeper than the surface, you can see how many possible options there really are.  Technology is a rapidly growing field, and with more and more tech methods being applied to online learning each day, the online learning experience is always changing.  

Personally, I believe that not just in adult learning, but life in general, a strong sense of self-efficacy is needed. Self efficacy can be defined as "an individual's belief that they are able to succeed given any task that they encounter." (Wilde & Hsu, 2019).  When looking at the adoption of technology in adult learning, learners need to be ready to take on the responsibility of learning new technology, like some of us are with these blogs through this course.  It is worth noting that levels of self-efficacy are not static, and can certainly vary based on the amount of exposure we have to these forms of technology.  Incorporating technology into your everyday life can be a scary thing, but if we maintain a good level of self-efficacy, we can succeed with the challenges we face.

Another learner responsibility I feel is presented when adopting new forms of technology into adult learning is defining already existing problems that they new form of technology can solve.  The majority of technology that is introduced into adult learning is done so for a reason.  It is typically to give the student a better learning experience.  While challenges may arise with the technology, it is important for the individual to realize why the technology is being introduced and how it may help them in their day to day life.  This helps the learner stay more connected and see the "bigger picture" when facing struggles with new tech.

No matter how you look at it, or feel about it, technology is becoming more and more integrated into our daily lives.  I think we should embrace the changes, and feel comfortable adopting this technology into our education system, to help build a better future for our students.  That's what this is all about, right?


Sources:

Wilde, N., & Hsu, A. (2019). The Influence of General Self-Efficacy on the Interpretation of Vicarious Experience Information Within Online Learning. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16(26). https://doi.org/https://educationaltechnologyjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41239-019-0158-x

Chtourou, M., & Souiden, N. (2019). Rethinking the TAM Model: Time to Consider Fun. Journal of Consumer Marketing , 27(4). https://doi.org/https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/07363761011052378/full/html

Comments

  1. Catie E CarlsonNovember 11, 2021 at 7:51 AM

    You said much more concisely I think all the things I tried to say in my post as well. The one piece of your post that had me thinking was how we should embrace technology and be comfortable. I think it was the word comfort that got me. I love technology, and try to use it. However, I will say I am not comfortable with it. That's because I know there is a lot I don't know. I also know that those who develop the technology LOVE big data and eroding my privacy. There are also outside bad actors trying to do the same. Because, as you said, technology is rapidly changing, I don't feel like I ever have enough time or knowledge to be able to protect myself. I am sure others feel the same, and I think if we're too comfortable, we may fall into some dangerous traps.

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    Replies
    1. Chase WiseNovember 12, 2021 at 11:29 AM

      Catie,

      Thanks for your thoughts and your honesty on your hesitations with technology. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't concerned about privacy issues with technology as well. With more and more online sources gaining access to our personal information, it can feel scary to not have the online privacy we should. Great point about falling into dangerous traps. I sometimes find myself wondering if worrying about these privacy issues are worth it, with the very little we can do about it at times. Thanks!

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  2. Elizabeth HealyNovember 12, 2021 at 6:31 AM

    I completely agree with your statement about self-efficacy being needed. I like the definition that you included “an individual’s belief that they are able to succeed given any task that they encounter.” I am not confident with technology, but my self-efficacy with learning in general gives me the confidence to tackle it anyway. Those internal beliefs make such a big difference in outcomes. I see this in clinic often. We listen for the way the students talk to themselves and try to address this early in the program. If they don’t believe that they can do it, that negativity often plays into the outcome.

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    Replies
    1. Chase WiseNovember 12, 2021 at 11:30 AM

      Thanks for reading my post Elizabeth! I am glad to hear that you have a strong sense of self-efficacy when it comes to learning in general. I think that would help you have a strong sense of self-efficacy with anything you face, including technology. I have seen many cases where students do not live up to their potential, mainly because they simply do not believe in themselves. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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