New Model Learning

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See also: Learning in the Information Age | Learning Theories and Styles | Instructional Design
Educational Technology - an Introduction for Teachers and Learners | Learning Technology: the Myths and Facts
Learning and the Impact of Technology | Learning, Distance Learning and Learning Technology Links

Introduction | Approaches to Learning | Technology-Mediated Learning

Introduction

As we enter the 21st century we enter an era of unprecedented rapidity of change. Initially this change is technological, but ultimately it will also be societal. This article discusses the relationship between this era of change and the quantity and quality of learning it will demand. It also considers the mechanisms by which that new model learning might be delivered.

In the 20th century those entering the workplace might expect to keep the same job throughout their working lives. In the 21st century new entrants might expect to change job, and even occupation, several times before retirement. The 21st century citizen will need learning for each transition.

What is Learning?

Learning is the acquisition of new knowledge and/or skills. It also encompasses the updating or improvement of existing knowledge/skills.

Useful learning is learning that results in knowledge or skills that can be usefully applied (transferred) beyond the learning environment.

In the UK, according to figures from the UK Department for Education and Skills and the Office for National Statistics, 42.5 per cent of 18 to 30-year-olds participated in higher education in the UK in 2003-04. The UK government aims for 50 per cent of young people to go on to higher education by 2010. It will fund this by allowing universities to charge tuition fees. However, this means that working class students will end up thousands of pounds in debt by the time they graduate. Surely a deterrent to the brighter but poorer student.

The government misses the point that much, if not most, of what will be learned will quickly become redundant in an era of increasingly rapid change.

Perhaps some 20% of the population would most benefit from full-time rigorous academic study. For the great majority, new model learning will not take the form of 3- or 4-year full-time rigorous academic study at the start of their adult lives. Rather it will be offered flexibly through short, part-time and distance-learning opportunities - both academic and vocational - enabling people to learn while they earn (or combine theory with valuable practical experience). And it should be offered throughout life in response to the increasingly rapidly changing demands of the
economy.

Full time degree students spend 3-4 years learning theory before they enter the workplace. How much valuable is learning gained in parallel with real world experience.

The Old v The New

Traditional learning	New Model Learning
Learning takes place in the early part of life, from infancy through early adulthood.	Learning takes place throughout life to keep pace with rapid change.
Learning takes place at particular times and places.	Learning takes place at the time and place convenient to the learner.
Learning occurs in the presence of a human teacher.	Learner interacts more directly with learning content (as opposed to human teacher).
Primary communication is from teacher to learner.	Learner communicates with teacher(s) and peers.
Everyone following a particular course learns from the same syllabus.	Learning is individualized. Every learner follows a unique "course".
	Learners can control what is learned and how learning is delivered.
Everyone following a particular course is presented with the same learning experience.	Learners can learn in different ways depending on their particular learning style and preferences.
Learning is a full time activity.	Learning is flexible, it can be part-time, full-time, face-to-face, distance or blended.
	Learning occurs in parallel with life (work, family etc).
	Part-time, distance learning is the dominant mode.
Learning is a passive experience of memorization followed by regurgitation. Learning is quickly forgotten after exams, if not applied in daily life.	Learning is an active experience. Learning becomes part of the learner (constructivism).
Theory is learned before being applied in work experience.	Theory is learned in parallel with work experience.

Next: Approaches to Learning

Learning, Distance Learning and Learning Technology Links

New Model Learning

Introduction

What is Learning?

The Old v The New

Traditional learning

New Model Learning