Trends in Adult Higher Education: Carol Kasworm Preparing the information workforce

Trends in Adult Higher Education:

Carol Kasworm

Preparing the information workforce

OBSOLETE Knowledge– ?Past ways of understanding knowledge is

problematic Distributors of Knowledge as STATIC

UNITS – Information delivery is insufficient response

Human Learning in ACTION – Knowledge creation and use Reframing life and work challenges Skills to consider past assumptions and

understandings.

Creative Contextual Authentic Learning

Digital age support Cyclical access and Universal participation Critically Reflective Engagement- Learning for continuous change

---Knowledge creation---Changing mind frames – paradigms

Trend in dramatic increase and blurring of credit and noncredit offerings - in basic and advanced knowledge focused on authentic, contextual learning

Community and higher education environments, as well as professional groups and associations

Significant Growth of providers and adult participants Projected that 70-80% professionals in learning

Work environments Four OECD countries – 35% of adults participated in non

formal work-related learning US – 52% of adults participated in formal training/

learning – prodominantly focused upon work topics. Individual self-directed learning

environments

Learning in Action. Experiential engagement.

Authentic tasks in creative problem-solving Understanding through application and

adaptation through embodied learning ( noncognitive)

Solving “non-routine problems” Innovative instructional designs – active

learning, problem-based learning. Social networked learning

Digital providers: Access and Participation

Programs and providers – interwoven with digital content, delivery, communications

Underskilled adult learners – Continuous adult learners –

Consumer, “just-in-time” learners Issue of identifying “QUALITY” adult

learning -

New Knowledge Workers – Needed competencies:

Integrating contextual knowledge with influential “tacit”understandings

Critically reflective learningUsing social tools – e-tools in creative Participate in socially heterogenous,

multi- cultural gorupings

Our work – “Learner as Innovative Expert”

Develop and research critically reflective skills -

Enhance within adult learners: Capacity for self- invention Creative problem-solving & reflective stance Non-routine framing of life tasks

Creative class – individuals involved in creation of new economic possibilities – 30% of new economic development

Past era - providing stable, proven knowledge and skills

New era - creating learners who are in a self-directed learning journey – towards developing new understandings, actions, and applications.

Creative class – individuals creation of 30% new economic possibilities

Creative community of practice– work units and organizations

For Dialogue and Exchange:Carol_kasworm@ncsu.edu

Rockefeller Institute Report A New Paradigm for Economic Development: How Higher Education Institutions Are Working to Revitalize Their Regional and State Economies www.rockinst.org March 10, 2010

Key drivers of economic development and community revitalization.

Applying research for new ideas that will strengthen the country’s competitive edge in the new economy

Knowledge-focused services to businesses and other employers, including customized job-training programs, hands-on counseling, technical help, and management assistance.

Leadership in the cultural, social, and educational revitalization of

their home communities. Educating people to succeed in the innovation age.