How Can Universities Empower Adult Learners?

In order to truly advance the careers and lives of adult learners, educators need to understand the importance of adult learners to universities, the complex lives of adult learners, and the appeal of online courses among this learner group. Not insignificant to this goal is the fact that many of these learners are now millennials with distinct learning preferences and life challenges.

In seeking to accomplish their duty of care to adult learners, university administrators and educators are strongly encouraged to adopt the HIDI model: human interaction, institutional support, design, and IT infrastructure and support. Based on research conducted at three Canadian universities, the HIDI model has proven to be a valuable and practical way of meeting the learning needs of today’s adult learners.

Learning Goals

After viewing this program, participants will be able to:

• Enhance participants knowledge of today’s adult learner group as it includes a high percentage of millennials
• Support participants needs for timely information about adult learners
• Advance participants knowledge of the university’s duty to care in relation to adult learners
• Encourage participants to return to their institutions with knowledge of the HIDI model
• Equip participants with evidence that will enable them to advance the learning needs of adult learners within their universities

Topics Covered

• Common assumptions about university students and adult learners
• Demographic profile of the adult learning population
• Characteristics of millennials in general and as learners
• Challenges facing adult learners
• Adult learner expectation of the university
• The university’s responsibility and duty to care
• Understanding and implementing the HIDI model: human interaction, institutional support, design, and IT infrastructure and support.

Audience

This program will benefit:

• Faculty
• Deans
• Department Chairs
• Program Chairs

Product Code: PM19VA