Tuesday 17 May 2016

Trends in Adult Education - Avoid Becoming A Commodity!

I spent the morning researching trends in adult education and was reminded of the important role educators play setting individuals, business, and the economy up for success.

Doug Harward, CEO of Training Industry, Inc lays out 10 key trends in his article Key Trends for 2016: Focusing on the Science of Learning to Better Engage the Adult Learner featured in the Winter 2016 edition of  Training Industry Magazine. The underlying premise is the need to focus on the science of learning to better engage the adult learner. 


One key trend according to Doug is a renewed emphasis on instructor quality. Those with subject matter expertise and great communication skills will have a higher value placed on them. 


Interesting tensions are at play here ... consider that the virtual world has gone viral as a delivery platform. Requiring skilled instructors who make learning relevant and congruent with organizational values. On the other hand, to remain competitive and sustainable business needs access to efficient and effective methods to train their workforce. This can lead to commodification of adult educators. 


Developing yourself as an instructor with credentials 
is one step you can take to avoid devaluation. The Vancouver Community College Provincial Instructor Diploma Program journey leads there. 

Stretching yourself even further for a designation as a 
Certified Training Practitioner (CTP), or Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP) The Institute of Performance and Learning. 

No harm in exploring ways to expand your learning journey goals. 

References:


Harvard, D. (2016). Key Trends for 2016: Focusing on the Science of Learning to Better Engage the Adult Learner. Training Industry Magazine, Winter 2016 pp 30 - 31. 
Retrieved from 

Vancouver Community College. (2016, May). Provincial Instructor Diploma Program.
Retrieved from http://vcc.ca


The Institute of Performance and Learning. (2016). 

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