Tate recommends connecting adult learning to “specific, real-world, job-related challenges. She suggests assigning a follow-up project requiring learners to implement solutions learned in a course or workshop, and having learners work in groups or individually within a workshop to produce plans for implementing a solution, make decisions and set goals.
Application: In the Communication Camp I helped design for NDSU Agriculture Communication, a real world project is a must. Participants seem to better understand the elements of a good communication strategy when they can apply those elements to an actual project. Working on a real world project also helps keep participants engaged because they are creating communication products they will use to advance their programs. Creating these products helps participants better justify to themselves the time they are taking away from the office. They are not just learning, they are doing.
Communication Camp is a 2-day workshop where Extension staff learn good communication strategy and media skills by working with their program teams to create a series of communication products. Teams create a communication strategy, then use that strategy to guide the creation of a news release, a web page and a video for their program.
Assessment: Digital Projects (Barkley & Major, 2016, pp. 196-201)
The communication products each team produces comprises a digital project. At the end of the Camp we take time to showcase the projects, prompt teams to reflect on the decisions they made and engage other participants in a peer-review exercise.
We also assess the Camp through a facilitated conversation with participants. We invite a trained facilitator to lead the discussion and have all trainers leave the room so participants can speak freely.
References
Barkley, E. F., & Major, C. H. (2016). Learning assessment techniques: A handbook for college faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Tate, M. L. (2012). “Sit and Get” won’t grow dendrites: 20 professional learning strategies that engage the adult brain. (2nd Ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.