Leadership theories have evolved since their inception and leadership development should also evolve in response to the changing needs of their organizations. There is a gap in the literature on the functionality of the various 360-feedback platforms that are mentioned in literature which makes it difficult to understand what reporting functionality is available in existing systems. The goal of this study was to examine participants' views of a newly developed Adaptive Learning 360-feedback (AL360) treatment platform for leadership development with a focus on self-directed learning for improved accountability. Participants were asked to share their learning development experience in the areas of person, process, and context with suggestions for improvement and how did this development compare to any other leadership development that they had experienced in the past. The AL360 platform was built by applying the research findings of scholars in the areas of leadership, 360-feedback leadership development and educational technologies. The treatment was applied in a business setting for all levels of leadership development. The case study identified creation of leadership of self-awareness and accountability for development without significant intervention of an executive coach. The research findings also list improvement opportunities, limitations, and future considerations.

This study explores the application of wireless local area network (WLAN) in mobile learning. Although still in its infancy, Taiwan¡¦s government has devoted much resource on mobile learning as the extention of e-Taiwan project. National museums are among the key projects where the effectiveness of mobile learning can be soundly demonstrated. Taking national museums as observing objects, this study examines whether museum visitors appreciate WLAN environment within which personal digital assistants (PDA) operate as mobile educational tools. It further explores the key success factors that leads to successful deployment of mobile learning system. The researcher conducted a two-wave survey, firstly on museum visiters then on museum and e-learning experts for data gathering. Using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) as the research method, this study filters out the priority setting of those six categories as follows according to their significance: learning content, network connection, interface design, mareking and promotion, and business model. It also shows that the priority setting might change as a matter of time. As far as implication for education is concerned, the study suggests that, in the learning space of museum, PDA equipped with WLAN proves to be an appropriate mobile learning tool, notably useful in conducting blending learning and self-directed learning. Such finding should contribute to the understanding and further deployment of mobile learning activities in the context of museums. Keywords: wireless local area network (WLAN), mobile learning, blending learning, self-directed learning, personal digital assistant (PDA), fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP), key success factors, museum

Most Kenyan high school dropouts do not have a school reentry option, and without a high school diploma, they lack access to tertiary or higher education institutions for training and career development. This case study was an investigation of how an adult learning center in Kenya educated high school dropouts and helped them to gain access to vocational training or higher education. The research questions addressed the pedagogy, learning experiences, and curriculum of the Baraka Adult Learning Center (BALC) and also focused on how the BALC met students' aspirations, needs, and goals based on the perceptions of teachers and adult learners. The conceptual framework was based on liberatory education theory, transformative learning theory, and andragogy. Data collected from classroom observation s, curriculum review, and interviews with 9 current students, 3 former students, 5 teachers, and the principal were analyzed inductively by sorting and coding to generate emergent themes. The results of the study indicated that instructors followed the regular high school curriculum with little adaptation and lacked training about teaching adult learners and self-directed learning approaches. The adult learners perceived returning to school as getting a second chance. A professional development project for BALC instructors was developed to address some of the needs identified in the study. This training could have an impact on the adult learners by better assisting them to gain access to vocational training and higher education.

Five cases of ‘non-musicians’ learning how to make music were used to explore the information practice of users in the domain of music to support the design of music information systems and platforms. In all five cases, the use of online music knowledge was situated within a larger process of self-directed learning, as well as the larger socio-musical world of the non-musicians. Effective access to and use of available resources is paradoxically predicated on a non-musician’s ability to articulate their information needs using terms with which they are not yet familiar. The findings articulate the information practice of non-musicians as being characterized by the emergent nature of their information needs and the exploratory nature of their information practice. In particular, the user’s socio-musical world, learning or knowledge trajectories, as well as their modes of learning offer an innovative approach to understanding and anticipating music information needs.

Five cases of ‘non-musicians’ learning how to make music were used to explore the information practice of users in the domain of music to support the design of music information systems and platforms. In all five cases, the use of online music knowledge was situated within a larger process of self-directed learning, as well as the larger socio-musical world of the non-musicians. Effective access to and use of available resources is paradoxically predicated on a non-musician’s ability to articulate their information needs using terms with which they are not yet familiar. The findings articulate the information practice of non-musicians as being characterized by the emergent nature of their information needs and the exploratory nature of their information practice. In particular, the user’s socio-musical world, learning or knowledge trajectories, as well as their modes of learning offer an innovative approach to understanding and anticipating music information needs.

Šio darbo tikslas – ištirti edukacinį filmo poveikį (per užslėptojo ugdymo/si bei savaiminio mokymo/si momentus). Tyrimo metu buvo analizuojamas Simpsonų filmas focus grupės metodu. Tyrimo duomenys nagrinėjami pagal autorės išskirtas kategorijas. Magistro darbe, remiantis lietuvių ir užsienio mokslinės literatūros analize, atskleistos edukacinės medijų plotmės: pristatyta neregimojo ugdymo/si bei savaiminio mokymo/si raiška animaciniuose filmuose; supažindinama su kino edukacija, kaip edukacinių plotmių sklaidos perspektyva animaciniuose filmuose. Tyrimas įrodo, kad animaciniai filmai (konkrečiai Simpsonų filmas) turi edukacinį poveikį paauglių atžvilgiu. / The aim of this work is to examine the effect of educational movie (through hidden curriculum and self-directed learning moments). During the research the Simpsons Movie was analysed by a focus group method. The research data is examined after authoress categories that she has excluded. This master‘s work is based on lithuanian and foreign nonfiction literature analysis, what is more the educational media planes are revealed: the hidden curriculum and informal learning expression in cartoon movies is introduced; the cinema education is introduced, like educational planes of scattered perspective in animated movies. The research proves that animated movies (The Simpsons Movie) have an educational impact on teenagers.

Mokyme plačiai naudojami informatikos mokslo pasiekimai, ryšiams tarp mokytojo ir besimokančiojo palaikyti yra naudojamos naujausios telekomunikacijų priemonės, taip pat vis svarbesnis tampa nuotolinis mokymas. E. mokymasis yra orientuotas į besimokantįjį, suteikia jam galimybę pasiekti mokomąją medžiagą bet kuriuo metu ir bet kurioje vietoje, kur tik prieinamas interneto ryšys, o taip pat pakeičia ir mokytojo vaidmenį. Technologijos iš esmės keičia tradicinį mokymosi būdą ir plačiai jas pradėjus naudoti švietime esminiu rodikliu, tobulinant pedagogų profesinio rengimo sistemą, tampa mokytojų bei dėstytojų technologinės kompetencijos. Pedagogai, kuriems trūksta žinių, kaip naudotis technologijomis, pristabdo inovatyvių mokymosi metodų plėtrą bei inovacijų pateikimą besimokantiesiems. Šiai problemai spręsti sukurtas savivaldaus mokytojų mokymosi modelis virtualioje erdvėje, kuris padės realizuoti turimas technologines žinias, efektyviai organizuoti mokymosi procesą, bei labiau įtraukti mokinius į inovatyvių mokymosi metodų naudojimo procesą, naudojant nuotolinio mokymosi technologijas. / The teachers training field in Lithuania’s education system is not really design for today needs because quickly evolving information and communication technologies are changing the teaching and learning situation. Recently the documents about education systems improvement of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania documents focuses attention on the teacher. The younger generation's future directly depends from the teacher, so there is a need to raise the prestige of the teaching profession, improve teacher training and to diversify their qualifications. There are many innovative computer technologies applied in the educational process which expands learning opportunities and transforms the traditional learning into e. learning which makes learning process more accessible, attractive and individualized, but not many teachers in Lithuania knows how to take the best of it. The self-directed teachers learning model in virtual space is implemented in the virtual learning environment Moodle supplemented with social networks interactions and synchronous communication which ensures convenient and smooth communication and collaboration. Also it gives opportunity to easier gather information on a specific topic or for a particular purpose. Using the model, teachers will be able to include emerging and constantly evolving ICT to the training process and will be able to apply not only traditional but also blended and distance learning methods and techniques in... [to full text]

Malcolm Shepherd Knowles was a key writer and theorist in the field of adult education in the United States. He died in 1997 and left a large legacy of books and journal articles. This thesis traced the development of his thinking over the 46-year period from 1950 to 1995. It examined the 25 works authored, co-authored, edited, reissued and revised by him during that period. The writings were scrutinised using a literature research methodology to expose the theoretical content, and a history of thought lens to identify and account for the development of major ideas. The methodology enabled a gradual unfolding of the history. A broadly-consistent and sequential pattern of thought focusing on the notion of andragogy emerged. The study revealed that after the initial phases of exploratory thinking, Knowles developed a practical-theoretical framework he believed could function as a comprehensive theory of adult learning. As his thinking progressed, his theory developed into a unified framework for human resource development and, later, into a model for the development of self-directed lifelong learners. The study traced the development of Knowles’ thinking through the phases of thought, identified the writings that belonged within each phase and produced a series of diagrammatic representations showing the evolution of his conceptual framework. The production of a history of the development of Knowles’ thought is the major outcome of the study. In addition to plotting the narrative sequence of thought-events, the history helps to explicate the factors and conditions that influenced Knowles’ thinking and to show the interrelationships between ideas. The study should help practitioners in their use and appreciation of Knowles’ works.

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This study examines the strategies used by facilitators at Adult Basic Education and Training Centre in order to determine whether the facilitators are responsive to adult learning principle and practices. If inappropriate strategies for the facilitation of learning are used, adult learners are likely to become bored, frustrated, overwhelmed or unable to cope with the challenges of learning. This may contribute to the high drop-out rate that many adult education programmes face. The failure to retain adult learners in ABET programmes may result in adult learners relapsing into illiteracy, which then poses a problem as the overarching goal of the South African government is to eradicate illiteracy. This study aims at answering the following research questions: <ul> <li>What are the perceptions of adult learners of the facilitation of learning in the programmes they are enrolled for?</li> <li>What are the strategies used by ABET facilitators to promote cooperative learning?</il> <li>How do ABET facilitators promote self-directed learning among adult learners?</li> </ul> The theoretical framework on which this study is based is constructivism. Constructivist theory advocates a paradigm shift from traditional methods of teaching to a more learner-centred approach of instruction and learning. Thus, constructivist theory embraces Outcomes-based Education that emphasises that active participation by learners should be the backbone of all learning activities. Both facilitators and learners are required to focus on the outcomes that should be achieved during each learning activity. This study employs a mixed-methods approach that includes quantitative and qualitative research methods. The research design for this study is the case study method. The population of this study comprises adult learners and facilitators at Gaegolelwe Adult Centre. A simple random sampling was used to select forty-seven adult learners to participate in this study. Convenience sampling was used to select 4 facilitators. The methods of data collection used were questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and observations. The findings of this study are the following: <ul> <li>Facilitators at Gaegolelwe Adult Centre cater moderately for learners with different learning styles.</li> <li>Learners are engaged in different learning activities, such as completing tasks individually, in pairs or in groups and are involved in research orientated activities in order to discover things for themselves.</li> <li>Facilitators promote active participation during learning opportunities.</li> <li>Most adult learners demonstrate responsibility towards their own work. However, some do not, and this may be attributed to many competing social roles that must be balanced against the demands of learning.</li> <li>Learners are challenged to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and higher order reasoning skills.</li> <li>Cooperative learning as one strategy of facilitating learning is not utilised to the maximum.</li> <li>It has been observed that the lecture method is predominantly used by facilitators; this is not in line with constructivist learning theory as the latter emphasises the use of different methods of facilitation in order to accommodate learners with diverse learning styles.</li> </ul> The following recommendations have been made: <ul> <li>Facilitators with extensive teaching experience should be engaged to facilitate adult learning. However, they should be educated and trained in methods of facilitating adult learners.</li> <li>Male adults need to be mobilised through mass literacy campaigns to join ABET programmes.</li> <li>Learners should be given the opportunity to make an input in the development of strategies for facilitating learning.</li></ul> Copyright / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Early Childhood Education / unrestricted