Learning Contracts Essay

hold over of ContentsSection Page Abstract1Introduction 2Definition of acquisition focus2Purpose of the study hold3Uses of training Contracts3Advantages and Disadvantages of L suck ining Contracts4Advantages4Disadvantages5Designing education Contracts5Conclusions and Recommendations 6Conclusion 6Recommendations..6 References8AbstractLearning chooses ar creation use in post-secondary education. Adults approach encyclopaedism as problem puzzle out and in theory by implementing skill distils, the scholar becomes more(prenominal) k nonty in their admit wise to(p)ness process. This paper discusses the use of a encyclopedism trim, the advantages and disadvantages for using shoots and the general design of a attainment contract. The use of reading contracts provides opportunity for the student to be more involved in their own encyclopedism and apply relevance to their own educational interpret.Learning ContractsContract tuition is, in essence, an alternative way of structuring a instruction fetch It replaces a content plan with a process plan. Malcolm S. Knowles (1991, pg.39).In the early(a) 1970s, the concept that pornographics learn differently than children was introduced by Malcolm Knowles. This theory of andragogy has inspired investigate and controversy. The complexity of big(p) learning and need provides opportunities to explore new methods of teaching. Implementing learning contracts is an alternative way to structure the learning dwell. Definition. Learning contract by definition is an agreement between students and teachers that grant the student certain freedoms and choices virtu ally completing tasks yet requires the student to meet certain specifications (Definition, n.d., p. 1). According to Knowles (1980), contract learning solves, or at least reduces, the problem of dealing with large differences within any group of crowing assimilators. Knowles (1986) sterilises a learning contract as containing specifically 1.the make doledge, skills, attitudes and values to be acquired by the scholarly person (learning objectives) 2.how the objectives argon to be accomplished3.the target date for their accomplishment4.what present leave alone be presented to demonstrate that the objectives have been accomplished and 5.how this turn out volition be judged or validated. In academic settings the contract similarly specifies how often deferred payment is to be awarded and what grade is to be given (p.38).Understanding the purpose and advantages of learning contracts and being able to apply them in our future c atomic number 18ers as adult instructors bequeath help prepare us for the variety of learning styles our students give have.Purposes of Learning ContractsLearning contracts have multiple purposes. One purpose is that it burn enrich and extend the curriculum. They potentiometer connect educational needs to individual needs. The responsibility of learning is shared by the student and the edu cator. Learning contracts hind end also challenge the abilities of exceedingly able students and provide alternate options that sack be altered specifically for the differences in abilities, learning styles and interests of individual students. The contract is a tool for structuring the learning process.Uses of Learning ContractsFindings from research about adult learning have shown that when adults go about learning something naturally, they are highly self-directed (Tough, 1971, 1979). Coincidentally, when adults learn on their own initiative, they have a deeper intellect and more permanent memory of when theylearn by being taught. nerve centre adult learning principles view the adult learner as the master(a) source of data for making sound decisions regarding the learning process (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 1998, p. 183). Contract learning is compatible with the notion that adult learners are self-directed learners. Online command is an example where contract learning di sregard be highly effective. In an online environment, instructors are not physically meeting with the students to discuss learning goals, objectives and expectations.Learning contracts nookie help negotiate and define the learning goals and outcomes. Sample learning contracts cigarette be placed on a web pageboy and the student preserve determine which contract best befits their learning goals. Students can also engage in online discussions about the different options with their peers and gain a broader perspective through shared knowledge. Learning contracts can also be highly effective in the corporate world. Training employees is costly and can require large investments from organizations. Learning contracts allow the employee to take responsibility and summations motivation in the learning process when they are able to relate the instruction directly to their job responsibilities. Contracts can also clearly define the ships companys expectations of the outcomes. When th e expectations are defined, both instructor and trainee can track do and stay focused on the companys business goals and strategies.Learning contracts are useful in research. Research learning contracts provide material body and structure to an unstructured environment such as the research laboratory, age ensuring maximal flexibility (Contracts, n.d., para. 2). It allows the student to get the hang their own learning. Contracts allow students to define learning objectives, activities, rate of progress and methods of assessment that will evaluate the students victor or failure.Advantages and Disadvantages of Learning ContractsAdvantages. There are galore(postnominal) advantages for learning contracts in adult education. Learning contracts resurrect the adult learners self-directed learning experience. They promote creative and critical view for the student and develop their time management, planning and decision making skills. They can target specific individuals and their sp ecific learningactivities. Each students experience can be unique to them and incorporate their own prior knowledge and experience. The contracts also allow students to consort at their appropriate pace and can improver the students motivation which in return can increase their class participation. Contracts can help keep students on course if the contracts are specific and concrete. This can also help minimize miscommunication or error of expectations and outcomes. The contract also provides a means for the learner to receive day-and-night feedback regarding progress toward accomplishing learning objectives.Disadvantages. There are disadvantages to using learning contracts. Contracts can be time consuming to develop. They typically are more expatiate and require you to put in more work in the development stage. Also, students can have confusion especially if their prior learning experience has only been the traditional method of instruction in a classroom. If students are onl y familiar with instructor taught learning and have not learned to be self-directed learners, the student could have difficulty adapting to this method. The learning contract method in pedagogic learning may require more instructor involvement verses student driven in andragogic learning. The attitude of the educator can have an influence on the learning contract as well. Some educators feel the learning contract gives the student too much control.Designing Learning ContractsThere are many different shipway to design a learning contract. Learning contracts can address the divers(prenominal) learning needs of different students and may be designed to suit a variety of purposes. Despite the flexibility, there is a general coiffe starting with identification of the content that will be learned. Specific methods and strategies that will be used to learn the content should be identified. Specifying resources to be used in order to learn the content and determining the type of evidence that will be used to demonstrate the learning should be identified. Last, the evidence that will be validated and by whom needs to be defined. Having pellucidness will lead to improved performance and allow for revision of learning objectives if needed throughout the learning experience (Learning Contracts, n.d.).Conclusion and RecommendationsConclusion. Malcolm Knowles institution of andragogy has influenced adult education. A distinguishing characteristic of adult learning programs is the shared control of program planning and facilitation (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 1998, p.133). Engaging adults as partners in their learning experience satisfies their need to know and appeals to their self-concept as independent learners. Learning contracts are a tool that encourages students to participate more actively in their own learning experience. It is an alternative method of structuring a learning experience unique to individuals.It enables educators to work with differences among a group of learners. Learning contracts, more so than any other(a) type of instructional method, create the conditions for secernate instruction. The contract method will not be effective if the adult learner is passive in their own learning experience. Disadvantages include extensive planning and commitment as well as excessive focus on individual success (Duggan, n.d.).In general, adult learners are going to be self-directed learners as opposed to child learners. Based on the five assumptions learned in WED 486 regarding adult learners adults need to know why they need to know adults need to learn experientially adults approach learning as problem answer adults learn best when the topic is of immediate value and adults need to immix new ideas with what they already know, learning contracts are an effective tool to enhance a self-directed experience.Recommendations. Additional research related to contract learning involves the fairness of learning contracts. In the traditional m ethod of instructor taught learning, all students are given the same syllabus and information on what it takes to earn a particular grade. In the case of learning contracts, they are individualized to the learner. The contract may be specific as to how each learner will obtain earned grades but will the content be equal? Additional research is recommended to determine if contracts are efficient if not all students are covering the same material.ReferencesDuggan, T. (n.d.). The disadvantages of training agreements. Retrieved from http//www.ehow.com/list_6075915_disadvantages-training-agreements.htmlGuidelines for writing. (n.d.). In Learning contract guidelines PDF. Retrieved from https//dsacms.tamu.edu/sites/sllo.tamu.edu/files/LearningContractGuidelines.pdf Knowles, M. S. (1980). The modern practice of adult education from pedagogy to andragogy. Englewood Cliffs, NJ Cambridge Adult Education. Knowles, M. S. (1986). Using learning contracts (p. 38). San Francisco, CA Jossey-Bass Inc ., Publishers. Knowles, M. S., Holton, III, E. F., & Swanson, R. A. (1998). Beyond andragogy. In (Ed.), The adult learner (5th ed., pp. 153-183). Houston, TX Gulf Publishing. Learning contracts. (n.d.). In How to create and use learning contracts PDF. Retrieved from http//fcpsteach.org/docs/directions-learning%20contracts.pdf Research learning contracts. (n.d.). In webGuru. Retrieved October 1, 2011, from http//www.webguru.neu.edu/undergraduate-research/structuring-ur-experience/research-learning-contracts Tough, A. (1971, 1979). The adults learning projects. Toronto Ontario found for Studies in Education.