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Trends In Adult Education Post #3

Online Learning

An emerging trend that continues to develop in adult education is the shift towards online and hybrid education away from the more traditional in person classrooms. This shift has significantly increased access to education for adult learners by offering them greater flexibility and convenience. Adult learners can now study at the times and locations that suit their individual work needs and familial obligations, making education far more attainable. (BNP Engage, 2025) These online formats have helped to facilitate access not only for those living in remote areas, but also for people wishing to participate without relocating or commuting. (BNP Engage, 2025) Many programs now provide asynchronous self-paced learning options that allow students to progress through coursework on their own schedules. This is especially beneficial for those with unpredictable routines, or for those that prefer an independent learning environment. (Tassos Katsaris, 2024) The variety of available online courses continues to grow all the time, with more opportunities and credentials being offered that cater to specific career or personal goals. Overall, these changes have made adult education more accessible and flexible than ever before.

               However, online environments do come with a few notable drawbacks. First of which is that balancing education with work and familial responsibilities can be difficult for some. The lack of an in-person structure can make time management and motivation harder as students are responsible to manage both. (Avado, 2016) Also, technological barriers do exist such as learners having limited digital skills, unreliable internet, or access to modern equipment. (National University, 2021) These can all pose significant hurdles.  People are social creatures, and online classrooms can feel more isolating than traditional in person group classes. (National University, 2021) Those returning to education after a long break may also struggle to adapt to a new and unfamiliar online environment. (Avado, 2016) These challenges highlight the need for support and flexible course design to ensure that adult learners can thrive in these modern online and hybrid settings.

Avado. (2016, April 8). Top 5 Challenges in Adult Education. Avado. https://www.avadolearning.com/blog/top-5-challenges-in-adult-education

BNP Engage. (2025, April 2). Online, Hybrid, and More: Flexible Learning Options in College - ReUp Education. ReUp Education. https://reupeducation.com/blog/online-hybrid-and-more-flexible-learning-options-in-college

Tassos Katsaris. (2024, July 15). The Advantages of Blended and Hybrid Learning for Adult Learners. Linkedin.com. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/advantages-blended-hybrid-learning-adult-learners-tassos-katsaris-wbs6f

National University. (2021, November 23). Challenges of Distance Learning for Students. National University. https://www.nu.edu/blog/challenges-of-distance-learning-for-students

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The impact of sleep on learning

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Trends in Adult Education

Assignment 4 Blog Post #2

This article talks about many different learning trends, both modern and emerging. I think the biggest shift or trend I’ve seen develop is the overall adoption of newer educational theories like concepts focused on engaging learners through more student-centered content. These approaches prioritize making education more accessible, engaging, and meaningful. They have evolved to address modern needs, encompassing skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, lifelong learning, and problem-solving. (Gafoor, 2024)

Like most adult learners, I grew up in a teacher centered lecture style classroom. (Merriam & Bierema, 2014, p. 43) I was a good student and was rather adept at navigating this style of instruction. Now as an adult student and emerging teacher, I’ve realized that my old strategies just don’t apply to the modern classroom. I’m having to drastically rethink and adopt new methods that are often grounded in theoretical frameworks like constructivism, humanism, and cognitivism. (Gafoor, 2024)

Being exposed to concepts like inquiry-based learning, problem-based learning, experiential learning, self regulated learning and even personalized learning is a reminder of the stark differences in my previous educational experiences compared to today’s. (Gafoor, 2024) Combine these ideas with ever emerging technologies such as AI and digital presentation tools, I see major implications for the future of teaching. So how do I plan to prepare for these trends? The quote ‘once a teacher, always a student’ comes to mind. I believe that remaining curious about life while being adaptable and embracing change is essential. I intend to lead by example and consistently pursue my own further education and development.  Rogers states that the key to success and survival is that we all should all become adaptable lifelong learners, (Merriam & Bierema, 2014, p. 31) and I couldn’t agree more.

References

Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2014). Adult Learning Linking Theory and Practice (1st ed.). Jossey-Bass.

Gafoor, A. K. (2024, October 18). Modern Approaches and Trends in Education [Keynote address 2nd international seminar on New Trends and Modern Approaches in education]. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/119027478/Modern_Approaches_and_Trends_in_Education-libre.pdf

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Trends In Your Field

Assignment 4 Blog Post 1

As a carpenter in BC, I’d have to say the biggest change in my field has been the increased efficiency requirements for all new homes. The building code has always had minimum standard requirements for insulation, windows, furnaces, water heaters, lighting and other systems. However new requirements are taking these individual pieces and joining them all together to get a better picture of a building’s overall efficiency. (https://energystepcode.ca/how-it-works)

This directive is aimed at making homes in BC 80% more efficient by 2032. Because of the drastic requirements required to meet this mandate, the government has allowed builders to comply by implementing a ‘Step Code’ system where builders must meet gradually higher targets every 3-4 years. We are currently in Step 3 which requires us to build our homes 20% more efficiently. (https://energystepcode.ca/how-it-works)

How do we measure and monitor this as we build? By hiring an energy advisor preconstruction to monitor and advise the developer throughout the project to ensure these targets will be met. But what are we actually measuring? Before a house can get its occupancy permit, it must first successfully pass a blower door test performed by a certified energy advisor. This test accurately measures the Air Changes Per Hour (ACH), meaning how many times the air in a home replaces itself through perforations in the building envelope. Around 2010 our homes were roughly 6-7 ACH. In step 3 we are required to meet 2.5 ACH. Ultimately the goal is to reach step 5 by 2032 with <1 ACH.

It's worth noting that due to the covid crisis, Step 2 was skipped requiring quite a significant and sudden jump in build quality and procedures. Many builders found themselves quickly reeducating themselves in any way possible to keep up with these new changing regulations. Only 54% of spec home builders, and 58% of builders with 30 years of experience or more stated they felt prepared for these changes when polled. (Stelzer et al., 2020) Afterall, not hitting your blower door target means a catastrophic increase to cost to remedy let alone the schedule interruptions.

The new step code system has also developed a new position of expertise as previously mentioned called an Energy Advisor. This never really existed before 2018 in a major way. In early 2017, the Energy Step Code Council  was formed with a mandate to provide guidance on the BC Energy Step Code and support its implementation. (https://energystepcode.ca/history) These advisors will assist developers to reach these new targets and are an invaluable source of guidance during these transitions.

I work for a general contractor, and one concern that has arisen at my company is the increased cost and time required to meet these new standards. For many builders, along with the uncertainty of the housing market, it’s getting even less profitable to invest in homebuilding today. 88% of builders saw increased construction costs during the first phase of step code. Also, 26% reported a shortage of educated professionals regarding quality control, 28% reported difficulty convincing homebuyers to pay an increased cost for their home, while 19% reported issues and losses attempting to achieve their air tightness goals. (Stelzer et al., 2020) We have an affordable housing shortage in our area, (Read, 2020) and adding developer hesitation, increased time and money requirements will certainly not make this any better. However, I am optimistic because I believe that as we begin teaching these new standards to the next generation of trade school students, what currently feels burdensome will gradually become second nature. Early in my own career, I witnessed a similar shift in building practices that initially caused widespread concern among developers. Today, those same developers are not only meeting the updated standards with ease but have fully embraced them as part of their routine. I’m confident that this transition will motivate more tradespeople to pursue certifications such as the Red Seal, equipping them with the skills and knowledge essential to the industry allowing  for long-term success in their evolving careers.

References

Building and Safety Standards Branch of the Government of British Columbia (2024, January 17). How the BC Energy Step Code works. Energy Step Code Building Beyond the Standard. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://energystepcode.ca/how-it-works/)

Building and Safety Standards Branch Government of BC (2024, January 17). History. Energy Step Code Building Beyond The Standard. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://energystepcode.ca/history

Read, T. (2024, October 11). BC’s Housing Supply Crisis: Analyzing the Gaps and Proposals for 2024-2025. Https://www.Kelownarealestate.com/. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://www.kelownarealestate.com/blog-posts/bcs-housing-supply-crisis-analyzing-the-gaps-and-proposals-for-2024-2025#:~:text=Affordable%20and%20Rental%20Housing%20Shortages,more%20housing%20in%20urban%20centers.

Stelzer , B., Hamer , G., Miller , G., Meads , J., Muncaster , K., Leung , W., & May , Z. (2020, October 1). 2019 BC Energy Step Code Market Response Study. Https://www.Bchousing.org/. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://www.bchousing.org/publications/BC-Energy-Step-Code-Market-Response-Study.pdf

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Hello everyone! Below is an introduction submission I did for the PIDP 3320 course, Online Learning Fundamentals. We were asked to provide a brief introduction and explain why we are interested in online learning. The PIDP program is my first experience as a student in a fully online environment. Although I'm mostly used to in person instruction, I'm really looking forward to online learning! Not just as a student myself, but as a future teacher learning and developing new skills that I can bring into the classroom.