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""Adults vote with their feet," a favorite adage of adult educators, is frequently used to describe a characteristic of adult learners. In most circumstances, adults are not captive learners and, if the learning situation does not suit their needs and interests, they will simply stop coming. In discussing adult education, Knowles (1980, 1984) distinguished between teacher-centered and learner-centered instruction. He promoted the latter because it viewed learners as mutual partners in the learning endeavor (Merriam and Caffarella 1991). Known as the andragogical model, the use of learner-centered instruction--which supports addressing the needs and interests of learners--is regularly championed in the literature as the most effective way to teach adults. However, Merriam and Caffarella (ibid.) assert that "adult learning in formal settings, for the most part, is still instructor designed and directed" (p. 26). Given the wide support for learner involvement, the discrepancy between adult education theory and practice is perplexing. How can instructors of adults become more learner centered in their practice? This ERIC Digest suggests guidelines and strategies that can be used in formal settings by instructors of adults to involve learners more effectively. "

Everyone is a learner - whether you are a student in a school, college or university, a workplace learner or a lifelong learner - so share your Top 10 Tools for Learners and help us build the Top 100 Tools for Learners 2009. We are building the Top 100 Tools for Learners 2009 list below. Note this list is constantly being updated as we receive new contribution, and the tools shown below are tools that have achieved two or more votes.

Below is a comparison of the learning characteristics of adult learners and youth learners. Of course, these are generalizations with exceptions occurring in each group of learners, but you may want to keep these differences in mind as you consider the learner population you expect in your online course. The design of your course would be influenced by your expected student population."

Lifelong learners are constantly on the search for new information, and the Internet has made it even easier to track down authoritative journals, libraries and museums around the world, research centers, niche search engines, language tools, and other learners poking around online. This mega list of 100 free web tools and sites will grant you access to courses at Harvard Medical School and MIT, social media sites that connect you to bookworms, videos and podcasts about everything from medical news to politics, government resources, and a lot more. The best part? Everything is free, and there's no grading involved.

This is an alphabetical list of websites where you can find out about anything and everything - whether it be a small fact or a large body on knowledge. The websites cover a wide range of informational and educational topics and include general reference resources, how-to guides, wikis, how-to videos, podcasts, courses, lessons, tutorials (including open courseware), e-books as well as other reference resources and places to ask questions both online and on your mobile. The resources are suitable for learners of all ages: students as well as workplace learners and lifelong learners - as well as teachers, educators and trainers.

The difference between students and learners is something we've discussed before. On the surface it's a matter of tone and compliance, but it also has to do with purpose-why are they learning? How much of themselves are invested in the process? And does it lead to personal change, or mere performance? So below are 32 habits-or strategies, actions, or behaviors-that can lead to that critical shift that moves students from mere students to learners who are able to think critically for themselves. Key themes? Patience, scale, and perspective.

Flipped learning offers the same potential for professional learning as it does for our students. It offers unique visibility on the learning process and learner progress, allowing just in time analysis of learners' needs, along with contextually appropriate analysis of what moves learning forward most effectively, allowing adaptation and refinement of planning.

Since its conception more and more teachers from across the globe have used Quadblogging to gain a genuine audience for their learners. Whether you are a Nursery teacher in Nigeria or an University Lecturer in Uruguay, Quadblogging will Quad you and your learners up with three other classes matching your preferences selected in the sign up process.

The ClassMarker online testing website, is a professional, easy to use, online quiz maker that marks your tests and quizzes for you. ClassMarker online testing has both free and paid upgrade solutions. You simply create your quizzes and your learners or business clients take them online. * Link directly to quizzes from your website or emails * Randomize quiz questions and set time limits * Have quiz results emailed to you and saved in ClassMarker * Create multiple choice, true false, free text, short answer, fill in the blank and punctuation quizzes * Register multiple learners instantly with 1 click

"A collection of web based tools to help learners exploit the web"

Curriki is more than your average website; we're a community of educators, learners and committed education experts who are working together to create quality materials that will benefit teachers and students around the world. Curriki is an online environment created to support the development and free distribution of world-class educational materials to anyone who needs them. Our name is a play on the combination of 'curriculum' and 'wiki' which is the technology we're using to make education universally accessible.

Curriki is more than your average website; we're a community of educators, learners and committed education experts who are working together to create quality materials that will benefit teachers and students around the world. Curriki is an online environment created to support the development and free distribution of world-class educational materials to anyone who needs them. Our name is a play on the combination of 'curriculum' and 'wiki' which is the technology we're using to make education universally accessible.

Great list of apps that can be used for school.

In L2Exchange, you can # SEEK help and DISCUSS problems with other language learners # BUILD and STUDY vocabularies using wordlists and pictures # CREATE your own blog and share your learning experience # STRENGHTEN your listening skills with video or audio subtitles

In this Pearson Foundation video, "Teaching Teachers to Teach 21st Century Learners," we hear from various leaders from the worlds of business and education as they discuss the importance of 21st century learning.

"What are the benefits for the teacher and learner in the context of open education and OER? How does a blended-learning school boost student achievement? How can we design the schools for 21st Century Learning? How will be the classroom of tomorrow? What are the tools and resources for the 21st Century Educator?"

Today, learning happens everywhere and all the time. Education must extend beyond our classrooms and school walls into the lives of every learner.

"Let's consider some activities that allow a student to show understanding of a book and that might be enjoyable. This selection of activities is also intended to meet the needs of different kinds of learners -- or to contribute to the development of skills beyond writing. I often allowed students choice in deciding how they wanted to respond to a book -- they could choose from a list like the one below."

Web search can be a remarkable tool for students, and a bit of instruction in how to search for academic sources will help your students become critical thinkers and independent learners. With the materials on this site, you can help your students become skilled searchers- whether they're just starting out with search, or ready for more advanced training.

"The aim of the social network is to build a community of learners for the purpose of connecting and engaging people of all cultures in collaborative lifelong learning. We suggest you edit your profile, add your picture, invite friends and/or start (in your preferred language) your own public or private groups, events, discussions, photos. videos, blog posts, and have fun! "