As pointed out in Kim et al.'s reading for this week "Effects of Group Reflection Variations in Project-Based Learning Integrated in a Web 2.0 Learning Space," participants for their study consisted of young adults who were very familiar with Web 2.0 tools, but conceded that conducting the same study with certain age groups - namely older adults and very young children - may have yielded very different results. This caused me to wonder - as instructors, to what extent should programs that rely extensively on Web 2.0 tools and technology be tailored to specific age groups? While children may not be expected to engage with an extensive amount of interactive web-based tools, the skills of older adults are likely to be much more varied. 

With that in mind, how can we accommodate those with more experience without losing the interest of or overwhelming older adults that may not have much experience? It seems like it would be a delicate balancing act to account for the needs of each. For those with experience in this area, I would love to hear how you have dealt with this situation in the past; what strategies were successful and which ones were not, and why?

Comments

  1. LissaJune 26, 2021 at 8:26 AM

    Hi Lauren, that is a great question. I haven't dealt with this particular situation, but I think open ended activities and tasks can allow for every learner's experience and comfort level. Dennen's "Instructional Design and Development for Social Media Lessons" offers some ways to solve this: target artifacts (samples of the final product) and the ability to create a "ledge" where learners can see some of the final product, but still have the flexibility to create their unique products int he social media environment. Modelling can be an effective tool for this and also allowing students to learn on their own from informal learning sites (youtube, blogs, other classmates). Perhaps starting with common tools, then venturing into new tools would help. Like our EME6414 course, asking learners where they are at with social media use and comfort/experience levels, helps the instructor see how to meet the different levels of experienced in a course.

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    1. Lauren CJune 26, 2021 at 5:03 PM

      Thanks for your feedback Lissa. I do think starting from a place of common understanding is a great idea. You also make a good point about how this course started with asking everyone what their comfort level/familiarity with various tools. I think this certainly helps instructors gauge where the class is at as a whole and allows adjustments to be made based on skill level.

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  2. That Will Show ThemJune 26, 2021 at 3:37 PM

    I have had extensive experience with classrooms that have 75-year-old adults and 19-year-old young adults and every age in between – all in the same classroom (pre Covid). As a prerequisite, all must complete 4 online courses and email the certificates of completion or a link to certificates for entry into the class. Sometimes, I get snail mail copies of the certificates. Sometimes, I conduct one on one computer literacy classes weeks before the class begins. I never touch their laptop; they do all the driving. The last thing I need is for them to be embarrassed because they don’t know what they are doing online. I always ask them about their comfort level on the internet, do they use Facebook, Instagram, shop online, etc. I send them home to practice and give them a printed handbook of what it should look like. I make myself available for emergencies. I introduce the technology on the second or third night of class in small increments; log on, click around. I build on that, often working in pairs, and send them on a scavenger hunt. By the final, ninth class, they are navigating a scenario, reading legal documents, and creating case notes in small groups. For me, the most rewarding part of teaching is how excited they are that they have not only tackled learning how to be a child advocate, but the internet as well!

    I’m not going to tell them what I know now after taking this class🤯

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    1. Lauren CJune 26, 2021 at 5:09 PM

      Thanks for your feedback TWST! You make a lot of really good points and I appreciate you sharing the benefits of your experience. I come from a non-educator background so its very helpful when others share pointers and tips. What I gather from your post is that educators should be prepare their courses carefully, taking into account a potentially wide gap in skill level between students. I also see how introducing new topics/skills/tools on an incremental basis can avoid overwhelming students that may not have much experience and being readily available to answer questions is important. All very helpful, thank you!

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