Masters of Adaptation: Learning in Late Life Adjustments

2005 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald N. Roberson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Education And Employment ◽  
Time Changes ◽  
The Individual

The purpose of this research is to understand the relationship between human development in older adults and personal learning. Personal or self-directed learning (SDL) refers to a style of learning where the individual directs, controls, and evaluates what is learned. It may occur with formal classes, but most often takes place in non-formal situations. This study employed a descriptive qualitative design incorporating in-depth, semi-structured interviews for data collection. The sample of 10 purposefully selected older adults from a rural area reflected diversity in gender, race, education, and employment. Data analysis was guided by the constant comparative method. The primary late life adjustments of these older adults were in response to having extra time, changes in family, and social and physical loss. This research also indicated that late life adjustments are a primary incentive for self-directed learning. The results of this study indicated that older adults become masters of adaptation through the use of self-directed learning activities.

scholarly journals Self-Directed Later Life Learning: Individual and Social Contexts

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Šatienė Salomėja
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Directed Learning

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to investigate how self-directed later life learning is utilized and interpreted by older adults in their particular environments. The following questions were raised: What are the opportunities for older adults’ engagement in self-directed learning in their environments? How older adults realize their self-directed learning in response to the opportunities provided by their environments? Thematic analysis was used as research method to analyse participants’ experiences and meanings they attribute to self-directed learning in their actual environments. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 older adults engaged in their self-directed learning pursuits. The findings from the study showed that older adults’ engagement in generativity-based activities, interest-based activities and social networks are contexts of self-directed learning in later life; these contexts support older adults’ self-directed learning by providing learning impetus, opportunities and resources; realization of self-directed learning is influenced by ageing-related changes and individual circumstances of older adults.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Use of Online Personal Learning Networks to Construct Communities of Learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Dirk Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Personal Learning Networks ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Learner Participation ◽  
Directed Learning

This study investigated how retired older adults (age 55+) use the Internet and social media tools to facilitate their informal, self-directed learning by creating and maintaining online personal learning networks (oPLNs). The research examined what information and communication technologies (ICT) participants included in their oPLNs and how they used these oPLNs to activate and self-direct their informal learning. Employing the web-conferencing tool WebEx, four online focus groups and four one-to-one audio interviews were conducted allowing for a total of 15 voluntary, geographically-dispersed participants from across Canada to synchronously interact and exchange their experiences and insights regarding their oPLNs. Using a thematic analysis method, the discussion transcripts generated were analyzed to examine learning contexts, strategies to manage learning, motivation to learn and achievement of learning goals, as well as to discover emergent themes. It was clear from our findings that oPLNs provided a virtual "learning community" that supported informal, self-directed learning via learner participation and interaction opportunities fostered by ICT-based tools and processes.

A Qualitative Study of Developing Competency in Thyroid Surgery: A Resident’s Perspective With 5 Year Follow Up

2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942199691
Author(s):  
Gabriela DeVries ◽  
Megan Rudolph ◽  
Howard David Reines ◽  
Philip E. Zapanta
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Thyroid Surgery ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Surgical Specialty ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
The Individual

Objectives: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has guidelines on assessing surgical qualifications based on experience. Attending surgeons have various assumptions on how their trainees learn and acquire surgical skills. This study primarily investigates the resident’s perspective on gaining experience and achieving competency in thyroid surgical procedures. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was designed to derive themes that discuss the acquisition of competency in thyroid surgery. After IRB approval, data was collected from 2012 to 2014 at 4 academic centers in the Washington, DC area. Fourteen chief residents specializing in either general surgery or otolaryngology were interviewed until saturation was achieved. These semi-structured interviews were transcribed and broken up into codes utilizing Moustakas’ analysis. A comprehensive list of master themes in regards to achieving competency in thyroid surgery was developed. A follow up survey of the surgeons was undertaken at 5 years to determine if the perceptions during residency persisted in practice. Results: Surgical specialty residents experience and learn thyroid surgery in 5 learning themes: 1. Self—directed learning is significant during residency. 2. Repetition with graduated autonomy is key. 3. Effective mentors are competent surgeons who challenge residents and use positive teaching techniques. 4. Residents employ active learning through the “see one, do one, teach one” philosophy. 5. Learning from complexity is of importance to residency training. After several years in practice, the most important theme in learning after residency was repetition of cases. Conclusions: This study demonstrates how residents progress in approaching competency in thyroid surgery. Adult learning strategies are preferred, and programs should incorporate tailored techniques to meet the individual needs of the residents. Perceptions of what is most important shifted in long-term follow up. Further study is needed to assure competency in residency and in practice.

Framework for Technology-Enriched Active Class Learning of Physics in Secondary Schools in Kenya

2021 ◽  
pp. 131-151
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Sarange Bosire Abenga ◽  
Elijah Owuor Okono ◽  
Mzee Awuor ◽  
Sarah Otanga
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Learning Opportunity ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Personal Learning Network ◽  
Physics Labs

Active learning transforms the learning process and activities from tutor focused to learner-cantered and is driven by the learner's learning ability. In other words, active learning provides an opportunity for self-directed learning that enables the learners to engage with the learning materials at personal level and pace. Thus, this chapter argues that active learning can provide equal learning opportunity for every single learner irrespective of the differences in their personality traits that would otherwise affect how they learn. Hence, this chapter proposes a framework for technology-enriched active learning for young learners that provides a personalized learning that deviates from the traditional “fit-for-all” classroom setups that tends to favour only the extrovert students. The proposed framework leverages advancement in technology such as personal learning network, virtual physics labs, massive open online courses, and crowd-sourced expert opinions to provide the learners with just-in-time active learning opportunity.

Personal Learning Networks

2010 ◽  
pp. 226-240
Author(s):  
Teresa J. Carter ◽  
Jeffrey S. Nugent
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Personal Learning Networks ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Virtual Communities Of Practice

Twenty-first century information communication technologies are enabling learners to create personal learning networks (PLNs) tailored to individual learning goals, needs, and interests, with implications for self-directed learning in the digital age. New, readily available digital media tools, open courseware, and other Web 2.0 technologies are changing how learners interact online, creating a participatory culture of knowledge sharing and content creation that is very different from early uses of the Web for accessing content. As learners participate in the multiple virtual communities of practice that comprise a PLN, they require new skills that merit reconsideration of the role of the educator in helping learners to become self-directed in both formal and informal learning contexts.

scholarly journals Self-directed Teacher Professional Development in Saudi Arabia: EFL Teachers’ Perceptions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1359
Author(s):  
Hamad I. Alshaikhi
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teacher Professional Development ◽  
Workplace Learning ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Teacher Professional

This study explores Saudi EFL teachers’ perspectives, attitudes and experiences with regards to their teacher professional development (TPD) with special emphasis on workplace learning and self-directed initiatives. Using semi-structured interviews and reflective essays, the study managed to highlight a thriving workplace learning context in which teachers are involved in many forms of self-directed learning, including experiences stemming from the dailiness of the everyday realities of their schools. Data showed that Saudi EFL teachers are committed professionals who are well aware of a variety of TPD resources and opportunities; some of them are institutionalised while the majority are self-directed by teachers themselves beyond any institutional requirement. The study revealed that many participants had high preferences for self-directed learning over institutional provisions for its embeddedness in their context, the nature of their specialisation, and for the changing nature of their profession. Networking, collaboration, reflection and collegiality are some of the main features of self-directed learning as reflected in teachers’ current practices.

scholarly journals PERSIAPAN PESERTA UJIAN MENGHADAPI UJI KOMPETENSI NASIONAL DIII KEBIDANAN

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-119
Author(s):  
Rahmah Fitria
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Method ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Exit Exam ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Tutoring Program ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Constant Comparative

ABSTRACT   The objective of this study was to look at the phenomenon of participant’s efforts in preparation for the National Diploma III Midwifery National competency test. The National Competency Test is an effort to measure the final result in the form of an outcome as a standard for measuring the knowledge, skills, and behavior of students in health institutions. This research used a qualitative design with a phenomenological approach. Data collection using the Snowball Sampling technique and collected using in-depth interviews conducted in a semi-structure. Data analysis refers to the constant comparative method and reliability is believed using triangulation. The results of the study revealed that all parties agreed with the policy of holding a national competency test but the participants opposed being carried out as an exit exam. The preparation that the exam participants did to face the Diploma III Midwifery National competency test used 3 methods, they were the private institution tutoring program, Self Directed Learning, and Institutional Guidance.   Keywords: National Competency Test; Midwife Competency Test; Midwifery Diploma; Exam Preparation. ABSTRAK   Penelitian bertujuan melihat fenomena upaya persiapan peserta mempersiapkan diri menghadapi uji kompetensi nasional DIII Kebidanan. Uji Kompetensi Nasional adalah suatu upaya pengukuran hasil akhir berupa outcome sebagai standar untuk mengukur pengetahuan, keterampilan dan perilaku peserta didik pada institusi bidang kesehatan. Desain penelitian adalah kualitatif dengan pendekatan fenomenologi. Pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik Snowball Sampling dan dikumpulkan dengan cara wawancara mendalam yang dilakukan secara semistruktur (Semistructure Interview). Analisis data mengacu pada constant comparative method dan kreabilitas diyakini dengan cara triangulasi. Hasil penelitian mengungkapkan bahwa semua pihak setuju dengan kebijakan diadakan uji kompetensi nasional tetapi peserta ujian menentang dilaksanakan sebagai exit exam. Persiapan yang peserta ujian lakukan untuk menghadapi uji kompetensi nasional DIII Kebidanan menggunakan Tiga metode yaitu mengikuti program lembaga swasta bimbingan belajar, Self Directed Learning dan Bimbingan Institusi.   Kata kunci: Uji Kompetensi Nasional, Ukom Bidan, DIII Kebidanan, Persiapan Peserta Ujian.

scholarly journals STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES ON LEARNING LISTENING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY-BASED TOOL

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pham Kim Chi
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Close Attention ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Pedagogical Tool ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Efl Students

<p>Using technology tools in the classroom can now be facilitated students' engagement and self-directed learning to support a learner-centred environment in educational contexts under varied perspectives. In language learning, evaluating a particular language skill focused on technology is crucial in students' experience. EFL students face several difficulties as noise, accent, vocabulary, and pronunciation while listening. Therefore, employing listening with technology is significantly necessary to enhance students' listening skills. However, rare research has provided the students' reflection under constructivist perspectives after studying with the technology-based listening tool. Thus, the current study narrows this empirical gap. Semi-structured interviews and observation were instruments employed to collect data. Using thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006), the results of this study indicated that five themes were individualised listening, collaborative learning, self-directed learning, consideration of errors, and pronunciation improvement. Students were more engaged when listening to tasks independently, considering their errors for further improvement, and self-directed learning in this study. Additionally, they mostly perceived themselves to improve their listening and pronunciation in the future. Teachers should pay close attention to speakers' voices, accents, and feedback when designing and implementing tasks to maximise learners' listening learning process. This study has implications on using BookWidgets as a potential pedagogical tool for English courses.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0781/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document