Lifelong Learning and Surrounding Factors - Essay Example

?Essay Table of Contents Task A: Research Report 4 A)An Analysis of 4 Initial, Formative and Summative Assessment: 4 Four Different Assessment Methods: Their Strengths and Limitations 6 Role of Peer Assessment and Self-Assessment 7 Task B: Personal Account with Analysis 9 A) Evaluation of the Responsibilities in Lifelong Learning and In Relation to Other Professionals 9 B) Role and Responsibilities in Identifying and Meeting the Needs of the Learners 10 C) Establish and Maintain a Safe and Supportive Learning Environment 11 Analysis of Promoting Equality and Valuing Diversity 11 Task A: Research Report 13 A. Evaluation of Aspects of Inclusive Learning 13 B. An Analysis of Inclusive Approaches to Learning and Teaching 14 C. An Explanation of How to Motivate and Engage Learners in an Inclusive Learning Environment 15 D. An Explanation on How to Establish Ground Rules With Learners in an Inclusive Learning Environment 16 E. A Review of How to Give Constructive Feedback to Motivate Learners 16 F. A Review of How to Provide Opportunities for Learners to Practice their Literacy, Numeracy and ICT Skills 17 Task B: Professional Journal Entry 17 A) An Analysis: 17 B) An Explanation of How the Assessment Opportunity Was Made to Meet the Needs of the Learners 18 C) An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Your Approaches to Learning and Teaching in Meeting the Needs of Learners 19 References 20 Task A: Research Report A) An Analysis of Initial, Formative and Summative Assessment: Lifelong learning has emerged in recent years to be regarded as one of the key constituents for individuals to build up their value within the society. In order to develop the skills and diversified competencies within the entire life, it is necessary to pursue lifelong learning on account of surrounding factors. Knowledge, competencies and effective skills frame the basic requirements for fostering innovation and productivity within an organisation. With the advent of globalization, the need for change to keep up with the rapid pace of global adversaries has also accelerated, which has initiated the essence of lifelong learning for the individuals. A detailed analysis of the assessment tools have been discussed hereunder: Initial Assessment Analysis In accordance with the initial assessment methodology, it is observed that this method of application has been mainly created to be implemented in the beginning of the assessment process. It fundamentally derives knowledge about the learners’ strengths along with weaknesses and the gradual prospects for the development. Correspondingly, it has also been ascertained that the assessment procedure mainly focuses on a particular aptitude or skill for evaluating the learners’ position. Furthermore, initial assessment methodology is also applied to detect the prior general areas, which require attention. This type of methodology is primarily adapted in order to provide the learners the appropriate courses, complying with the inherit skills and aptitudes. Considering the initial assessment tool, it basically is applied at times to determine the right learner for the right course, which will ultimately assist the learner to grow in the concerned field. Formative Assessment Tool Formative assessment is usually determined as a tool, which is applied to give continuous feedbacks to the learners for the particular duration of the course. In this context, it is generally known as the ‘assessment for learning’. The prior elements being indulged in the formative assessment reflect that the learning intentions must be made clear to the learner. Furthermore, during the planning process, the course is designed accordingly and is shared among the learners. Correspondingly, in this particular technique, the learners are directed to carry out their own evaluation process in compliance with the learning intentions. In the formative assessment technology, the learners’ usually receive their result by means of the written test or in a form of the oral test. Summative Assessment In case of the summative assessment, it mainly summarizes the assessment of the learners in relation to the implemented course. Summative assessment methodology mainly assists in determining the credentials of the learners (Education Counts, 2013). Four Different Assessment Methods: Their Strengths and Limitations In keeping with the differentiated forms of assessment methods, essentially there are four types of method that are applied in the modern day context. Selected response or short answer assessment methodology is usually applied to determine the learners’ capability to choose the appropriate answer from the given choices. In this methodology usually a format such as true or false and fill in the blanks among others is applied to derive the answers. With regard to strengths, it is affirmed that this methodology fundamentally assists in gaining the aptitude knowledge of a particular learner. In terms of limitations related to this particular method, it is observed that the educator at times fails to derive a proper understanding about the theoretical concept of the learner (Public Broadcasting Service, 2013). In extended written methodology, the learners are required to frame written answers against the concerned questions. In such methodology, a few lengthy sentences frame the basis of the written assessment. Strength of this approach is that the learners can evaluate their theoretical concepts related to a particular course study. Concerning the limitations, learners’ aptitude clarity remains vague in front of the educators (Public Broadcasting Service, 2013). Performance assessment methodology is primarily based on the judgment related to a performance. In-case of the complex performances, the process emerges to be the most important. It largely depends upon the execution of the dedicated performance. In relation to the strength of performance based assessment, it provides the educators’ a better understanding about the learners’ concept. However, limitations related to the approach might arise from the fact that at times there might be concerns related to demotivation, which might be created due to poor performance of the learner (Public Broadcasting Service, 2013). Personal communication, as an assessment tool, assists the learners to gather information complying with the associated learning course. This methodology basically frames an informal way to derive learning. It has been often observed that if the information is gathered in a planned way and is recorded in a systematic manner from this particular methodology then it can frame the basis of learning assessment. Personal communication can be considered as strength and weakness as well. In such methodology, effective communication can foster better learning but gathering wrong information might lead to being misguided with respect to course concept (Public Broadcasting Service, 2013). Role of Peer Assessment and Self-Assessment The foremost aim of the self and peer assessment methodologies is to accelerate the autonomy of the students. Moreover, by implementing such technology, they mainly strive for acquiring deeper understanding about the skills and competencies. Furthermore, these assessment techniques facilitate to lift the role of the learners from being passive to being active listeners. The peer-assessment and self-assessment techniques mainly encourage the learners to get involved in the course curriculum. They further encourage learners to develop their contributions in the learning process. These assessment techniques also focus on the learners’ developmental and judgemental skills. Despite the presence of certain valuable advantages, they bear certain cons as well. These include the fact that peer assessment technique usually increases the educators’ workload. Moreover, reluctance amidst learners might lead to discomfort in reviewing their peers. B) Learners frame an important constituent of any course curriculum. Involving learners in the assessment process will facilitate to accelerate their motivation, skills and competencies. The learners will be included within the assessment process by means of self, peer and cooperative assessment techniques. By involving in the assessment techniques, the learners will be able to have a brief understanding about the course. It will also assist the learners to build up confidence and performance accordingly. If the learners are involved within the assessment techniques, it will enable them to evaluate their position amidst others (Falchikov, n.d.). Considering the advantages and the disadvantages of both the assessment techniques, I will opt for the self-assessment technique. This will ensure confidence amidst the learners to face the challenges along with acquiring effective learning related to the coursework. Task B: Personal Account with Analysis A) Evaluation of the Responsibilities in Lifelong Learning and In Relation to Other Professionals Lifelong learning sector has primarily emerged with the aid of governmental commitment. The government has tried to encourage the active participation of the adults for providing learning to the learners. Lifelong learning depicts mainly the inclusion of advanced learning techniques to accelerate the standard of learning and the assessment system. The role of mine in adherence with lifelong learning can be discussed as following the relevant principles and practices, mainly associated with the profession. Furthermore, being a teacher or educator my prior responsibilities lie to provide effective learning to the learners. To provide effective learning, the educator must be well qualified and must endure license for practicing such learning aspects. Moreover, the teachers must be well equipped with the techniques and also must have prior knowledge regarding the legislative policies revolving the profession. In accordance with my responsibilities for the learners, it is my prior duty to provide them adequate facilities that are required. Furthermore, it also comes under my responsibility to understand the capability of the learners and design course contents accordingly. Correspondingly, it is also my responsibility to establish a healthy relationship with the learners so as to manage the behavioural challenges effectively. I must also cooperate and form a relationship with other professionals to derive information and knowledge accordingly. My responsibilities further endure to make the relevant professionals aware about the lesson plans to foster effective learning. Moreover, it is also important to maintain a professional boundary on part of the responsibilities prior to other professionals (Academic Sciences, 2013). B) Role and Responsibilities in Identifying and Meeting the Needs of the Learners Lifelong learning necessitates the basis for the development and growth of individuals in the midst of the global competition. Learning is effective when an individual endures an opportunity to learn something that relate with his or her needs. There are various methods to identify the needs of the learners. I will adapt the methodology of making the learners write in a piece of paper their prior requirement. In this context, it will ensure a clear understanding about the learning phase and learning objective. Identifying the needs of the learners is my prior responsibility. Identification of the learning needs is basically conducted by taking into account the present learning system and inclusion of new learning techniques, this gap frames the basis of the learning requirement (SEDL, 2012). After the identification of the learning requirements of the learners, it is my prior responsibility to fulfil the requirements of the learners. In the midst of diversified population, in order to meet their diverse requirements advanced strategies are required to be implemented. To meet the requirements of the learners, I will try to provide them effective materials, which will assist them to address the prevailing gaps. Furthermore, by implementing the differentiated assessment techniques, I can foster effective learning environment for the learners (SEDL, 2012). C) Establish and Maintain a Safe and Supportive Learning Environment Concerning the need for learning environment, it is necessary to create a safe and supportive surrounding for the learners. In a supportive environment, the learners grasp the knowledge more efficiently. Safe environment frames a vital part for fostering effective learning environment. The vital factors contributing in the supportive learning society entail challenging curriculum for the learners. Furthermore, it also entails a relationship amidst the school community and frequent opportunities for the school community to reflect their competencies and skills. Supportive community also fosters a safe environment. Considering all the aforementioned factors, I will apply these strategies to provide the learners a safe along with supportive learning environment. By ensuring the safety of the students, I can foster a supportive environment for the learners. In order to provide a supportive environment to the learners, I will keep a continuous check on the supervisors and the methodology related to teaching, which they are adopting. Moreover, I will also try to plan the course contents and teaching techniques accordingly to ensure effective supportive environment. Moreover, by implementing the self and peer assessment techniques, the learners can effectively evaluate their performances (The State of Queensland, 2012). Analysis of Promoting Equality and Valuing Diversity To foster effective learning amidst the individuals, it is necessary to maintain equality. In accordance with the diversified population, it has become necessary to apply advanced techniques to meet the diverse requirements. Equality must be maintained amidst the learners. The practice of biasness amidst them might lead to dissatisfaction and demotivation within the learners. It will be my prior responsibility to ensure that the supervisors are rendering equal treatment to the learners. Furthermore, due to diversity, a cultural gap might readily take place, thus advanced plans and strategies must be implemented to bridge the gap amidst the learners. The practice of inequality amidst the learners might hinder their growth prospect. Moreover, this practice might lead to enhanced reluctance amidst the learners to open up themselves in front of the educators, which ultimately can cause hindrance in their learning process. Task A: Research Report Lifelong learning is considered to be a continuous, voluntary and on-going process through which an individual gains knowledge for either personal individual or professional qualified reasons. Additionally, it has also been viewed that lifelong learning not only facilitates helps in developing communal enclosure, active citizenship as well as personal progression but helps in enhancing the competitiveness along with employability role within an individual as well (BBC, 2013). A. Evaluation of Aspects of Inclusive Learning Inclusive learning is considered to be a modern approach of providing learning opportunities. It has been determined viewed that in this modern living world, every individual does not get adequate opportunities for gaining knowledge (The State of Queensland, 2012). The process of inclusive learning provides equal learning opportunities for every Individual. It has been viewed that today governments of major countries such as the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) among others are introducing various Lifelong learning opportunities to provide equal learning prospects opportunities to their citizens (Crown, 2011). It is worth mentioning that inclusive learning is economically beneficial for all individuals. The vital reason behind this is that that is inclusive learning not only helps in updating individual knowledge but also aids helps in strengthening the human resource competency of a nation. It also aids helps in strengthening the social justice aspect within an individuals by providing them adequate knowledge of different religions, their beliefs believes and along with their ethical aspects (Brussels, 2006). B. An Analysis of Inclusive Approaches to Learning and Teaching The adaption of inclusive learning approaches to learning and teaching can be witnessed since the time of its importance being has been felt by the people. The adaption of inclusive learning not only provides a new dimension to the way people are being taught in the 21st century but it also facilitates helps in providing them adequate knowledge that must be studied to maintain a coordinated relation with other people living in the society. Moreover, it provides practical advices along with suggestions to ensure provide that a small- steps approach to learning and teaching is adhered. For instance, Inclusive Learning and Teaching (ILT) Project was launched in the year 2007 as one of the policies to prioritise the inclusive approach to learning and teaching. It has been viewed that the implementation the inclusive approaches in their learning as a detached detaching education has made the process of providing knowledge to individual easier. It has also been determined that the individuals who are were a part of the project learnt things more easily as compared to other forms of learning and teaching. The vital reason behind the successful implementation of the plan is that it involves policies that help in understanding the needs of the people involved in the process and along with implementing certain steps to mitigate them. This endeavour in turn helping aids them to expand their knowledge in an easy and effective way (University of Sheffield, 2010). C. An Explanation of How to Motivate and Engage Learners in an Inclusive Learning Environment The concept of inclusive learning is measured as a vital aspect in the present globalised era. With the rapid changes in the different aspects in the environment, it has become vital for every individual to update themselves with new knowledge and skills in order to maintain their position amid their competitors. Lifelong learning is a process of gaining knowledge by spending a few hours of their daily working schedule. However, it has been viewed that the senior group of people find it more difficult or do not engage themselves in any lifelong learning program. The vital reason behind this is that they find it difficult to adjust themselves in an environment full of adult or young people. In his regard, lifelong learning can be introduced or given to this group of people in different well known community houses which that takes ample responsibility towards the senior group of people. Additionally, involving in activities or setting up certain programs where on completion of a lifelong learning program, opportunities would be made to provide employment opportunities would be generated, would facilitate to motivate the people by a considerable extent (Cusack & Thompson, n.d.). D. An Explanation on How to Establish Ground Rules With Learners in an Inclusive Learning Environment Establishing ground rule is very essential for every association as it helps in developing a mutual community by balancing the learning needs of the individuals with the learning needs of the entire people engaged in the group. The first step that can be adapted by the instructor to establish ground rules is by deciding what can be negotiated in case of any conflict situations within the association. Involving the students to create ground rules can also help in establishing effective ground regulations. Dividing the students and asking them to think about their past environment along with seeking them to short out the factors that they liked most would enable to frame certain required rules accordingly. This would help in framing ground rules that would be accepted by all the members (Cornell University, n.d.). E. A Review of How to Give Constructive Feedback to Motivate Learners Feedback is considered to be an essential element for every organisation as it aids helps in motivating the people. In this aspect regard, describing the behaviours of the personnel involved in the lifelong learning would help in motivating them. The feedbacks given should also be in accordance with to the performance of the individuals rather than a prediction. It is worth mentioning that the feedbacks given should be a mixture of both positive and negative aspects as consistently giving one type of opinions would result in making the entire endeavour meaningless and would end up having no effect on the individuals (Cabrillo Community College District, 2013). F. A Review of How to Provide Opportunities for Learners to Practice their Literacy, Numeracy and ICT Skills Assessment for learning is considered to be a vital tool as it helps in evaluating the performance or thee knowledge gained from the lifelong learning program. In this context, it can be said that involving the members in any form of numeric test or preparing lectures for the upcoming students for the program would provide opportunities for learners to practice their literacy, numeracy and ICT skills. Additionally, the introduction of online test can also be made introduced where an individual indicial can test his/her their ability or keep a track of their learning (Digital Education Resource Archive, 2007). Task B: Professional Journal Entry October 31st, 2013: A) An Analysis: The concept of lifelong learning is evaluated to be a common policy that aims at providing learning opportunities for each and every individual to maintain a leading position in the society. However, it is vital that adequate steps are taken by the lifelong learning instructors to teach learners with special needs as they are also an important part of the society. Considering the presented scenario, it reflects that lifelong learning is provided to an ESOL learner, a learner with dyslexia, a learner who receives learning support and a learner with disruptive tendencies. In keeping with this scenario, the opportunity arising from the rapid development in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was used. During the course, a range of Special Educational Needs (SEN) and foreign language related learning was examined and used that was effective during the teaching process. Moreover, suggestions were taken from the patients’ physicians in order to provide them a healthy learning environment. The resources that were selected to meet the needs of the learner were obtained through appropriate discussion with them along with their guardians. Moreover, their fields of work were also analysed in order to provide them the needed requirements (European Commission, 2005). B) An Explanation of How the Assessment Opportunity Was Made to Meet the Needs of the Learners Assessment is an essential method to promote learning that would help in achieving the goals of the program. Considering the need of an ESOL learner, a learner with dyslexia, a learner who receives learning support and a learner with disruptive tendencies, the first step that was taken was explanation of the aim behind the implementation of the program. This helped in checking the understanding of the different individuals. The second step that was taken was to decide the aspects that were to be taught to the individuals according to their needs along with defining the goal of the program. Additionally, examination was taken after the completion of a phase of the program and required changes in the program were made accordingly. Suggestions from individuals who had been a part of lifelong learning program involving people with special needs were sought for determining how a program should be conducted considering their needs (Jones, 2005). C) An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Your Approaches to Learning and Teaching in Meeting the Needs of Learners It is very important that the effectiveness of any plan executed is measured as it helps in improving it the next time. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the approaches used considering learning and teaching in meeting the needs of learners are stated hereunder: Self-monitoring: The first step that has been used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program is by self-monitoring. Monitoring my own self performance has helped me to measure my teaching level. It has also facilitated me to evaluate whether the set goals and objectives were meet or not (Assessment Resource Centre, 2009). Feedback from the Students: Feedback is considered to be one of the most common ways of evaluating the effectiveness of a plan. In this regard, it is affirmed that the individuals involved in the training program were happy with the way the things were taught. They performed well while the tests were conducted to measure their learning capacity (Assessment Resource Centre, 2009). Feedback from Colleagues: The other crucial aspect that helped me to evaluate the effectiveness was through the feedbacks of my colleagues. It had been ascertained that my colleagues were happy with the way I had taught my students. They even sought my guidance to create new teaching paradigms for the learners they were teaching (Assessment Resource Centre, 2009). References Academic Sciences, 2013. Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships in Lifelong Learning. Contents. 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