ETEC540-Task5-SantoMelissa

Once upon a time, a delightful fairy named Twig was tasked with improving workplace learning. Nettle, Twig's boss, said the first task was to uncover the 5 key assumptions of adult learners. Would you like to join Twig in discovering the key assumptions of adult learners? [[Yes]] [[No]]

Wonderful, Twig will enjoy your company! Twig set out on an adventure to discover how adults learn and retain information. After only a few minutes, Twig met a wise owl named Hubert. Hubert had seen many things, heard many things, and done many things, and yet he wisely knew there was much more to learn. Hubert explained that taking in new information was done in the context of what he already knew. What did Twig realize in talking with Hubert? [[I think I know!]] [[I'm not sure, I need more information.]]

Okay, maybe next time. [[Return to the start.->Introduction]] [[Jump to the end.->Conclusion]]

So, what did Twig realize after speaking with Hubert? [[Adults are far too busy to learn new things.]] [[Adults draw on life experience to assist with learning.]] [[Adult owls are wise but speak in confusing ways.]]

As we go through life, we accumulate experiences. Most adults, based simply on their age and responsibilities, have collected more experiences than children. These experiences cannot be abandoned and should be respected and leveraged as adults seek to integrate new information. Ready or not, here we go... [[[[(yep, let's go.)->I think I know!]]]]

Hmm, not quite right. [[Let's try again->I think I know!]].

Yes, that's right! Adults have a lot of life experience to draw from, and often use their previous experiences to connect what they're learning to how it would be used in real life. Twig thanked Hubert and continued on the journey. Are you continuing, too? [[Yep, I sure am!]] [[No, I'm done.->Conclusion]]

It may feel like that at times, but we are learning all the time! [[Try something else.->I think I know!]]

As Twig continued on, a small but mighty mouse ran across the path and introduced itself. "Hi! My name is Leaf. Can I help you with something?" Twig politely said hello and explained the mission. Leaf said it sounded intrestesting, and if they were not on their way to a leadership conference they would happily join along. "A leadership conference?" asked Twig. Leaf explained that mice in their company can apply for leadership training, where they learn about leadership principles and strategies for supporting successful teams. Leaf said that every year the leadership conference is packed with mice wanting to build their leadership skills, even if they are not in official leadership roles. "And all of these mice, even if they're not leaders, are ready to learn these new skills?" inquired Twig. "Absolutely!" exclaimed Leaf. And off the mouse scurried, cheerfully wishing Twig good luck. Twig suddenly realized another assumption about adult learners. Do you know what it is? [[Yes, I'm ready to answer!]] [[Urm, not quite yet.]]

What did Twig learn from speaking with Leaf? [[Adults are ready to learn and often seek out skill-building opportunities.]] [[Adults will only learn if they're told to by their boss.]] [[Adults hate learning and avoid it at all cost.]]

Organizations have found that employee retention increases when adults are provided with resources to build their skills. This is because most adults naturally seek out opportunities to learn new things, especially if they can connect it with their personal goals in some way. [[[[Ready now? (I believe in you!)->Yes, I'm ready to answer!]]]]

Blurb [[Yes, let's go!]] [[No, I'm done.->Conclusion]]

Maybe in rare cases, but for the most part this isn't right. [[Try something else.->Yes, I'm ready to answer!]]

Not usually. [[Try again.->Yes, I'm ready to answer!]]

Thank you for joining us! Twig's journey highlighted the ''5 assumptions of adult learners'': 1. Adults draw from their experiences as they learn new things. 2. Adults are (usually) ready and willing to learn. 3. Adults prefer applying new learning immediately to solve real-life problems. 4. Adults are self-directed and like to have control over their learning. 5. Adults are intrinsicly motivated, particularly if they can see how the learning will contribute to their personal or professional success. Twig also learned that there are ''4 adult learning principles'' to consider when making workplace training: 1. Involve the adult learners in the learning process. 2. Create training sessions that are problem-centered. 3. Ensure training is relevant and practical. 4. Build on adult learners' past experiences. ''May all your learning adventures be awesome!'' Created by Melissa Santo for ETEC 540: Text Technologies, Summer 2022. Reference: Butcher, L. (2021, March 1). //The 4 principles of adult learning and how to apply them to your employee training//. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/4-principles-adult-learning-how-apply-them-your-employee-butcher/

Twig continued through the forest and met a group of racoons who were working together to cross a stream. Twig was able to listen as they constulted each other and encouraged ideas. Then, one racoon closed a laptop and said "I've got some ideas!" The racoon joined the group and started teaching what it had learned. By working together and leveraging their combined skills, they were able to construct a sturdy bridge and solve their problem of needing to get across the stream. Twig approached the racoon who had been using the laptop. "Can I ask you, what were you doing on the laptop that gave you the answer?" "I was learning about bridge design, water flow and soil erosion." the racoon said. "I wouldn't have thought to learn about those things until we were faced with a problem that needed that new knowledge." Twign had yet another 'aha' moment. Did you have one, too? [[I did...let's see if I'm right!]] [[No, I'm still confused.]]

What did Twig learn by watching and listening to the racoons? [[Adults always need to work together to solve problems.]] [[Adults will always learn best using online tools.]] [[Adults prefer learning new skills that can be directly applied, especially if they can help solve problems.]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Nope, not that. [[Choose another option.->I did...let's see if I'm right!]]

Not quite right. [[Try again.->I did...let's see if I'm right!]]

That's right! Adults often prefer to immediately apply what they've learned. This preferences shifts their learning approach from knowledge-based to problem-based, where the skill advancement is centered around problems rather than content. [[Cool, let's keep going!]] [[Alright, I think I'm done.->Conclusion]]

It's great that you've stuck it out this far! Thanks!! Since this is for an assignment that only required 15 screens (and this now has 22 screens) we're going to summarize the last two assumptions. Here's what else Twig learned on the journey: Adults don't like to be micro-managed for their learning and prefer to have choice and autonomy when it comes to when, where, how, and what they want to learn. As we grow, our motivation to learn naturally shifts from extrinsic to intrinsic. That's not to say that adults aren't motivated by learning new skills to advance their career, but instead of being forced to learn because someone says so they want to understand the purpose of it and how it will be of benefit to their personal growth. Now that you've taken a secret shortcut, go join Twig at the end of the journey. [[Jump to the end.->Conclusion]]