Category #1 Journal

Course Journal

Category #1

____________________________________________________________________________

Peter JJ Parkinson

Student I.D. 000363328

Vancouver Community College

PIDP 3100

Abstract

This journal entry is going to reflect on a quote from the text Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice (2014). The quote I chose is from category #1 of the assignment and is as follows;

      “21^st Century competencies include deep understanding, flexibility, and the ability to make creative connections and a range of so-call 'soft skills' including good team working.” (p. 4)

      I will explore this quote following the Focused Conversation Model, being objective, reflective, interpretive, and decisional.
      From an objective point of view, I will explain what caught my attention, and what I have learned reflecting on this particular quote. I will reflect on what I have realized about teaching from this quote. My interpretation of how it affects my thoughts on the role of being an adult educator and insights I have gained. Lastly, I will explain how my notion of teaching and how I will teach in the future will be influenced by this reflection.

Objective: What have you learned from reflecting on this particular quote? What has caught your attention?

      To me, this quote is trying to say that having 'hard skills', that is having the ability to demonstrate competency at an occupation or any other given activity, is no longer meeting the demands of modern workplaces.

      A more diverse skill set is required, including but not limited to, a greater understanding of the 'why' and 'how', and an ability to be more interactive within our environments. 'Soft skills', often associated with the Emotional Intelligence Quotient, like communication, personal habits or traits, friendliness, teamwork, and optimism are as important as any qualifications a person may posses.

      Coming from a work environment that is generally results driven with a focus on 'hard skills', this highlights to me how far behind the industry I work in is when it comes to recognizing the value of these 'soft skills', particularly communication, teamwork, and personal habits.

Reflective: What did you realize about teaching as a result of this quote?

      This quote made me realize that teaching is not just about setting learning objectives based on a skills outcome. It should encourage students to develop a deeper understanding of their environment, instead of just the tasks they perform within it, as well as recognize that modern workplaces are becoming more socially driven, and that with good communication and collaboration that everyone can make a greater contribution to the success of an organization.

Interpretive: What was your “Aha!” moment when you read this quote? In what way(s) did this quote change your mind about being an adult educator? What was one key insight you have as a result of reading this quote?

      In my previous Learning Theory Essay, I focused on Behaviorism as my topic. I chose it because I felt the 'hard skills' that students were leaving the classroom with were inadequate for the demands of the industry, and that the focus on skills development within the behaviorism theory would be the most effective at helping students be the most successful when transitioning from the classroom to the workplace.
      In the short time I have been enrolled in the PIDP, I have come to realize that overall student success cannot be measured only by 'hard skills'. As an educator it is my responsibility to ensure that students leave the classroom with an ability to analyze, adapt, and draw from both previous experience, and the experience of others through communication and teamwork to be as successful as possible.

Decisional: How has this quote and the insight that you have gained from reflecting upon it, influenced your notion of teaching or how you will teach in the future?
      After reflecting on this quote, as well as feedback from previous assignments, I have come to realize that I value the Constructivism theory of learning and how it applies to the type of learning environment I would like to foster.

      Instead of simply presenting a goal, and outlining the steps that need to be followed to reach the objectives, it is far more valuable to present a problem to students to solve. This gives them an opportunity to analyze the problem and come up with solutions, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding. To achieve this they will likely have to draw not only from their own past experiences, but the experiences of others, and thus creating a more social and teamwork driven learning environment.

Conclusion

      With workplaces changing and evolving at a seemingly ever increasing pace, it is important that students and workers be able to adapt, change, and grow within them. It is also important to be able to recognize the value that can be gained from the combined experience of a more diverse and flexible workforce, and that ongoing adult learning does not happen only in the classroom, and that instructors are not the only ones who can impart knowledge.

                                                                References

Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice Sharan B. Merriam , Laura L. Bierema (2013)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_skills

Category #2 Journal

Course Journal

Category #2

____________________________________________________________________________

Peter JJ Parkinson

Student I.D. 000363328

Vancouver Community College

PIDP 3100

Abstract

This journal entry is going to reflect on a quote from the text Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice (2014). The quote I chose is from category #2 of the assignment and is as follows;

     “an educated person is one who has learned how to learn...how to adapt and change”(p.31)

      I will explore this quote following the Focused Conversation Model, being objective, reflective, interpretive, and decisional.
      From an objective point of view, I will explain what caught my attention, and what I have learned reflecting on this particular quote. I will reflect on what I have realized about teaching from this quote. My interpretation of how it affects my thoughts on the role of being an adult educator and insights I have gained. Lastly, I will explain how my notion of teaching and how I will teach in the future will be influenced by this reflection.

Objective : What have you learned from reflecting on this particular quote? What has caught your attention?

      This quote was made by Carl Rogers (1969), a theorist of Humanism adult learning theory, who is credited with establishing the “student-centered” approach to adult learning. He also stated, “that no knowledge is secure, that only the process of seeking knowledge gives a basis for security”(p.104)(p.31).

      In adult learning this quote is particularly relevant because there is no single “right” learning theory, and that as an instructor you need to be aware that students learn in different ways, and be able to tailor your method of instruction that is beneficial to all learners to ensure that they are all able to reach the goals and learning outcomes outlined.
     Through this quote, and previous assignments, I have learned that while I have a preferred learning style, the whole of my learning experience has been influenced by a number of different theories, and that I have benefited from all of them in one form or another. 

Reflective: What did you realize about teaching as a result of this quote?

      This quote has made me realize that instruction is as much about learning as it is about teaching. It has also made me realize that to facilitate student development it is as important to teach them how to learn as it is to present course content.

      It is about understanding the different needs of students, learning how your students learn, and adapting course materials, presentations, and exercises to ensure you are communicating both to and with them with the greatest efficacy.  

Interpretive: What was your “Aha!” moment when you read this quote? In what way(s) did this quote change your mind about being an adult educator? What was one key insight that you now have as a result of this quote?

      My “Aha!” moment when I read this quote was when I realized that I have been learning how I learn in progressing through this course. Teaching is really a form of self-directed learning, and to be a successful as possible at it, you need to constantly strive to ensure you are being the educator you can be.
      The world we live in is advancing at such a rapid rate, and it is the role of educators to ensure that the content they are delivering is relevant, and the way in which they present it is current to the needs of the next generation of adult learners.

Decisional: How has this quote and the insight that you have gained from reflecting upon it, influenced your notion of teaching or how you will teach in the future?

      In this reflection I thought back to a past learning experience with an instructor who was not nearly as familiar with or competent in what he was teaching as was required. The topic being covered, however, was one that many students in the class were not only familiar with, but also more experienced and knowledgeable than the instructor was.

      Instead of embracing this opportunity to facilitate learning in a more Constructivism style, he chose to push incorrect and irrelevant theory, completely disregarding the collective experience and knowledge of those wanting to actively participate in the teaching and learning process.

      What this has shown me is that the role of the educator is to allow learning to develop in the way in which it will be most beneficial to the learners, and instead of focusing only on the learning outcome and the method in which the content was designed too be delivered, that it can happen in an unexpected and positive way.

Conclusion

      The roles of adult educators is one that is constantly evolving. Technology, student needs, and course outcomes all impact the role adult educators today, and will likely change even more as the society we live in progresses.
      It is the job of the educator to adapt to these changes, embrace technologies, and make changes to stay relevant and ensure that students continue to receive the best instruction possible so that learners can maximize the benefit of education.

References

Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice Sharan B. Merriam , Laura L. Bierema (2013)

Autobiography

Autobiography

Hi,

My name is Peter Parkinson. I have enrolled in the Provincial Instructor Diploma Program at Vancouver Community College, and am writing this blog as part of the course requirements.

My current career is in Industrial Construction and Maintenance. I am employed as Welder/Rigger/Fitter, traveling all over Canada working in Pulp and Paper Mills, Oil Refineries, Smelters, and Nuclear Power Plants.
I posses an Inter-Provincial Red Seal as a Welder as well as an Inter-Provincial Red Seal as Boilermaker.

I have a passion for teaching and look forward to being able to apply what I am learning through the PIDP to the classroom as well as further develop my capabilities as an Instructor.