HRD 480 - Learning in Adulthood :: Syllabus - Fall, 2007

John Hollenbeck, Ph.D.	Class Time: MW 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Office: Memorial Hall 3265E	Class Room: Memorial Hall 7355
Email: hollenjx@jmu.edu	Section: 01
Phone: 540 568 3394	Credits: 3
Office Hours:   Mondays 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Thursdays 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM Others by appointment

Course Overview

Catalog Description: A study of the learning processes of the adult learner with an emphasis on adaptations of the instructional process to accommodate the differences inherent in the adult learning environment. Practical applications to actual adult learning situations are included. Prerequisites: HRD 240 & 245

Course Objectives

This course examines learning theories and instructional principles for adult learners. Students will explore how learning occurs from various learning theories and investigate practical strategies for facilitating adults’ learning. For this, you will have opportunities to design and deliver instructional modules following learning theories in class. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: a. state the significance of lifelong learning b. critically examine critical issues for adult learning c. explain how learning occurs from various learning theories d. analyze learning situations using appropriate learning theories e. design and deliver instructional programs using learning theories f. develop a plan for continuing your learning after school

Textbooks

• Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (1999, 2nd ed.) by Merriam, S. B., & Caffarella, R. S. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
• Readings to be distributed electronically

Course Requirements

You are expected to attend ALL classes and to complete readings and assignments on time. In addition, you are expected to contribute to your team presentations/papers and class discussions.

Major Assignments and Grading Criteria

Event	Points	Due
Participation	60
Weekly Personal Reflections	60
Cognition Quiz	30	9/13
Midterm Examination	50	10/18
Final Examination	100	12/11
Assignment 1 – Learning Biography	50	9/4
Assignment 2 – Learner Profile	50	9/25
Assignment 3 – Team Topic Presentation	100	Part 2
Assignment 4 – Learning Design Document	100	12/4
Total	600

The grade scale will be as follows:

A	Above 557
A-	540 – 557
B+	528 – 539
B	492 – 527
B-	480 ­ 491
C+	468 ­ 479
C	432 – 467
C-	420 – 431
D	360 – 419
F	below 359

Descriptions of Major Assignments

Participation and Personal Weekly Reflections

Students are expected to attend all sessions and to participate in class activities. Absences in class MUST be communicated to the instructor in advance via email and sign-in will be required for all classes. Each student is allowed two absences (either excused or unexcused) from class for the entire semester without penalty to his or her grade. Subsequently, attendance points are reduced by 15 for each absence (out of 30 points). For each absence over four, a student’s final grade will be reduced by one letter grade. For example, if a student earns 540 points (equivalent to an A-) but misses four classes, he or she will receive a B+ as a final grade. The class attendance and participation together will account for a total of 60 points.

Personal Weekly Reflections involve answering questions regarding the assigned readings using a form that posted in Blackboard. These short surveys will be completed on most weeks and will each count 6 points toward your grade to a total of 60 points. Questions will gauge your understanding of the assigned readings and give me a chance to address any misunderstandings.

Exams

Exams will test your understanding of definitions, concepts, and theories of learning.

• Readings for the Cognition Exam: from beginning to September 11
• Readings for the final exam: all course materials

Assignment 1 – Learning Biography

This is an informal two-page history of you as a learner. It should include a description of how you learn best, the environments you favor, and how you prepare for classes. Finally, some comment of your preferred method of evaluation should be included.

Assignment 2 – Learner Profile

This will be a key document for your experience this semester. Develop a picture of the learner you anticipate working with upon your entry into your chosen profession. As with your learning biography, you should develop as complete a picture as possible of whom this person typically will be, including, but not limited to:

• Age
• Environment
• Learning ability
• Learning need
• Role of learning in life

Your choice of topics for Assignment 3 will come from this paper, so be as complete as possible. It is suggested that you do field research and/or outside reading if at all possible. The final paper will be three to five pages in length.

Assignment 3 – Team topic report

Based upon assignment 2, you will choose up to three others of like interests to develop a team \. The team will design and deliver one week’s sessions focusing on the application of concepts on your target population. You may choose to conduct a presentation of key points, lead a discussion, and/or develop in-class exercises. Signups for presentation times will take place September 27.

Your team will also read at least two other topics in Part 2 and develop a collaborative final report on the three aspects of adult learning studied. The paper will be a minimum of 5 pages in length. It is expected you will participate in discussions of those areas you read in. Papers due Nov. 20

Assignment 4 – Design of Learning

Based upon your experiences in class, you will develop a design for learning in the area you identified in assignment two. Your final product will take a learning problem and design an educational solution that reflects your theory of adult learning. The design document will include direct references to applicable theories developed in class and in the previous assignments. The paper will be from five to ten pages in length, and you will be asked to present your work during the last week of class.

 

Policies

Submission of Assignments

• Assignments (hard copies) should be turned in in class on the due date.
• All papers are to be submitted in APA format.
• Late work submission will normally incur a 25% penalty a day. Extensions will be considered only in the case of serious family emergencies, extended illness, or other lengthy absence. Extensions must be requested at least 24 hours prior to the due date and must be documented.
• The grading criteria for individual assignments and group presentations are posted on Blackboard.
• All assignments and examinations in this course comply with the JMU Honor Code.

Conditions

No Makeup Policy on Tests: There is no makeup on quizzes and exams unless you have unavoidable emergencies and notify the instructor in advance.

Cell Phone Policy: As a courtesy to your classmates, please turn your cell phones down or off during class. This will help avoid disruptions.

Incomplete: An incomplete grade is given only for an exceptional reason such as a death in the family, a serious illness, etc. Any such reason must be documented. Any incomplete request must be made at least two weeks before the final. Any consequences resulting from a poor grade for the course will not be considered as valid reasons for such a request. Courses in which a student receives a grade of “I” must be completed by the end of the next regular semester, or the grade is recorded permanently as “F.” (See the University Calendar for the dates by which grade changes must be reported to the Office of the Registrar) A student seeking a grade of “I’ must make that request to the relevant faculty member before the end of the semester in which that course is taking place (From Undergraduate Catalog, p. 30).

A complete list of dates and deadlines as well as the final exam schedule for spring semester is available at http://www.jmu.edu/registrar/Fall2007.shtml.

 

The Honor Code

(from student handbook 2004-2005, http://www.jmu.edu/judicial/handbook.shtml#VI) Students shall observe complete honesty in all academic matters. Violations of the Honor Code include, but are not limited to, taking or attempting to take any of the following actions:

• Using unauthorized materials or receiving unauthorized assistance during an examination or in connection with any work done for academic credit. Unauthorized materials may include, but are not limited to, notes, textbooks, previous examinations, exhibits, experiments, papers or other supplementary items.
• Giving false or misleading information regarding an academic matter.
• Copying information from another student during an examination.
• Rendering unauthorized assistance to another student by knowingly permitting him or her to see or copy all or a portion of an examination or any work to be submitted for academic credit.
• Obtaining prior knowledge of examination materials (including by using copies of previously given examinations obtained from files maintained by various groups and organizations) in an unauthorized manner.
• Selling or giving to another student unauthorized copies of any portion of an examination.
• Using a commercially prepared paper or research project or submitting for academic credit any work completed by someone else.
• Falsifying or attempting to falsify class attendance records for oneself, or for someone else, or having another falsify attendance records on your behalf.
• Falsifying material relating to course registration or grades, either for oneself or for someone else.
• Falsifying reasons why a student did not attend a required class or take a scheduled examination.
• Taking an examination in the place of another student.
• Making unauthorized changes in any reported grade or on an official academic report form.
• Falsifying scientific or other data submitted for academic credit.
• Collaborating in an unauthorized manner with one or more other students on an examination or any work submitted for academic credit.
• Committing the act of plagiarism - the deliberate copying, writing or presenting as one's own the information, ideas or phrasing of another person without proper acknowledgement of the true source.
• Using computing facilities or library resources in an academically dishonest manner.
• Falsifying evidence, or intimidating or influencing someone in connection with an honor violation investigation, hearing or appeal.

**Note: The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus at any time during the semester.

Policy on Adding Courses

Students are responsible for registering for classes and verifying their class schedules on 3-campus.
The deadline for adding a Fall Semester class without instructor and academic unit head signatures is Tuesday, September 5, 2007. Instructor and academic unit head signatures are required to add a Fall Semester 2007 class between Wednesday, September 6, 2007 and Thursday, September 14, 2007.
No student will be allowed to register for a Fall Semester class after Thursday, September 14, 2007. No exceptions will be made to these deadlines.

 

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