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NON FORMAL ADULT LEARNING

Non-Formal Learning

Non formal adult learning is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and learning outside of traditional educational settings, like high school, colleges and universities. It is self-directed, an informal approach to learning that takes place in various forms and settings. Non formal adult learning acknowledges that education can occur through real life experiences, personal interests, and physically applying that experience. A key advantage of non-formal adult learning is its flexibility. Learners have the freedom to choose what they want to learn, where and when they want to learn it. It allows learners to choose subjects or skills that are relevant to their personal or professional goals. Non formal adult learning stimulates learners to life-long learning, promoting continuous self-improvement and personal growth. There are many ways to engage in non-formal adult learning. Libraries, parks, zoos, aquariums, museums, reading books, magazines, attending a workshop or seminar, online courses, webinars, joining a group or community, or seek out a master or expert in specific trades are great examples of non-formal learning. Often learning with a hands-on approach, encouraging active participation and experiential learning. It allows individuals to develop new skills, explore new interests, and stay relevant with an ever-changing world demographic. The internet has really expanded the opportunities to non-formal learning. Allowing us access to never ending resources and information.

I feel non formal learning empowers the individual to take control of their own education, enabling them to engage in lifelong learning. Taking learning beyond the traditional formal model to a non-formal form of learning that allows the learner a choice of what, when and where they learn on their own time schedule.

Adult learning : linking theory and practice / Sharon B Merriam. Laura L Bierema - first edition 2014

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TRENDS IN ADULT EDUCATION

Coming from a trade and jumping into the world of teaching had me scrambling to learn as well. My computer skills were basic. I didn’t know what Zoom was. What was a Moodle shell ? Online delivery ? VR training ? Thrust into this new realm of reality it was time to learn again. Technology has been on a rapid incline for the past few decades. Computers now fit in our pocket. Need to know anything ? Well it’s now at your fingertips 24 hrs a day. Knowledge is everything. I’ve been teaching now for a year and a half. Not only has learning all this new technology benefited myself. It has also made me grow as a person. Education or educating ourselves has never been easier.

I decided to talk about VR as I’m using it as a tool to instruct students on how to paint using a spray gun. The old way was giving a student a spray gun. Teaching them how to set up and use said spray gun. We would start with just regular water in the gun. No solvents so not harmful. It’s also less expensive using water than paint in the beginning. The student gets used to speed, distance from panel and triggering techniques. The only problem with water is it isn’t paint. So it shows you a spray pattern but there is no colour to see if it’s covering or how even your overlaps are. Are you getting maximum transfer efficiency. Also when painting it’s a layering process of 3 different products. A primer. A colour and a clear coat for shine. Here is where VR comes in use. We have a program for automotive painting and welding using a simulator. As an instructor we can use VR as an instrument in educating students before attempting using a real spray gun or welder. This allows the students to work in a safer environment. Without having to wear all the safety gear. No toxic fumes from paint or welding. Teaching the basics first so when they feel confident we can put the real tool in their hands. Saving students time and schools money. I see myself as an instructor continually learning and finding new concepts and tools to deliver a better course curriculum.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JV9lRdTMta8

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Trends In My Field

Evolution. As a autobody technician we have seen the automobile change drastically over the decades. Every new model that comes out has tried to incorporate new technologies and safety for the consumer. That means every year as a technician you will need to upgrade your skills to keep up with the current technologies being used in the automobiles of today. That’s why we have I-CAR. https://www.i-car.ca/.

If you are working in a repair facility that does insurance claims every technician must upgrade every year with with so many hours of training. It could be completing some courses on line. Or it could be a hands on course where you will be graded by an instructor for your work submitted.

This is one great thing for this industry. You are always learning adapting to the new technologies. It sets the standard for every technician in North America.

I chose an article from Car And Driver. This article explains all the latest adaptive safety systems on the current automobile.

ADAS

What is ADAS ? ADAS stands for advanced driver assisted systems.

Breaking it down we have many new safety systems working with one another talking to each other using a hub. A brain to share all the information that the sensors cameras and radar are gathering. As a technician now more than ever we must understand how all these systems work and function during and after an accident. We once just repaired a car. Returned the metal and paint to a pre accident condition. It’s changing the role we once played. Our trade at one time was quite simple. As the years go by it’s getting very complex with technology. Everyday we will be challenged with these new systems. Expensive equipment and software to diagnose problems. Highly specialized training on each individual system. It’s also turning into a new industry where companies are being set up just to handle recalibrating ADAS systems. Just means as a technician we now need to learn more than ever. Keeping ourselves informed doing the research so these advanced systems will be repaired properly. This will be the biggest trend in our industry for years to come.

As an instructor it also means constant upgrading and learning. Keeping current with all the latest technologies. Life long learning for me.

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Autobiography

Growing up in a family of mechanics teaches you one thing. How does something work. From a young age I was always intrigued with transportation. If it had wheels and a motor I was interested. It all started with my first car. I couldn't afford an expensive car working at McDonalds and being in High School. I knew I would have to work on it myself. I'm very fortunate that our School had a Mechanics class and a paint booth. My instructor Mr. Anderson really helped me decide in the end how my life would change once I graduated. The school had a work experience program which I enrolled in. At the end of my work experience I was hired at the local body shop. 3 months later I was signed up on my Autobody Technician Apprenticeship. This would of been 1990 just for relevance. Now, I have 3 red seals in Automotive Collision and Refinishing. I also worked at the same shop I started at for 20 years. I then opened my own shop for 10 years restoring and building muscle cars, hot rods, and motorcycles. Many of my paint jobs have graced magazine feature articles. Then when you feel you are on top of the world. Something happens!!!!!!!!!!

I get sick. Nothing like a health scare to change your direction or maybe the way you now view the world. Stage 4 Cancer Burkitt's Lymphoma. I beat it 7 years Cancer free at the moment and feeling blessed with every day I walk this earth. I returned to the shop I started at for 5 years after my Cancer. I'm now instructing Collision and Auto Refinishing at Vancouver Community College.