Learning Contract - Research Proposal Example

The paper 'Learning Contract' is a great example of a research proposal on education.
Adult learners have adopted the use of learning contracts over the past decade given its vast benefits over the previous learning methods. Learning contracts provide appropriate learning resources and learning guides. The paper summarizes learning contracts by Dr. Malcolm Knowles and provides a sample learning contract.

Introduction

Research on learning contracts shows that adult learners benefit a lot from learning contracts since they learn more deeply and permanently as opposed to when they are taught. The self-initiative aspect involved with the learning contract is the driving force behind the fruitful results associated with the contract.

Learning contract, as Knowles (1986) defines it, is a learning tool that helps learners structure their learning experience and process and helps students be active participants in their learning process rather than passive. According to the author, learning contracts help adult learners with problem identification and then enable them to understand the need to strengthen a certain skill, acquire a new skill or knowledge which is necessary to enhance their learning experience.

Malcolm Knowles describes a learning contract as the following:

• The knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to be acquired by the learner. This is also known as the “objectives”.
• Need to learn or (know) how these objectives are to be accomplished. This is also known as learning resources and strategies.
• Need to set a target date for accomplishing the learning objectives.
• Evidence will need to be presented to demonstrate that the objectives have been accomplished.
• How this evidence will be judged or validated.

 Learning contract has vast benefits as argued by Malcolm Knowles (1986). Learning contracts drive learners to learn on their own initiative which enables them to learn deeply and permanently as compared to what they learn as a result of teaching. In addition, learning contracts increase learning motivation. Besides facilitating the development of mutual respect between the participants and the educator they also present a more individualized instruction mode and encourage self-directedness skills.

LEARNING CONTRACT

LEARNER                                                LEARNING EXPERIENCE Types of Rocks

OBJECTIVES

RESOURCES & STRATEGIES

EVIDENCE

VALIDATION

TARGET DATES

Learn the different types of rocks

Research on online sources and library books under rock topic

I will be able to easily and accurately identify and classify various rock types

I will be able to list the different types of rocks such as metamorphic and sedimentary

Sept 12

Learn how to analyze and classify various rock types

 Participation in both classwork and field works involved with the study of rocks

I will be able to recognize different types of rocks including metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous with ease

Demonstrate my ability to analyze and classify any given sample rock

Nov 28

Determine the composition of the various types of rocks

Analyzing the types of chemical and component in the sample rock types

Develop a list of rock types and their chemical composition in a tabular form

I will be able to appropriately describe the chemicals and minerals that compose different rock types

Dec 12

Learn the formation process of the different rock types

Participate in lab experiments and analysis

I will be able to identify the processes involved in the formation of various rock types

I will demonstrate deep critiques of the works of my classmates concerning the theories of rock formation

Dec 17