Summary: Understanding vs. Knowing
Designing Online Learning Experiences for Adult Learners
For those of us designing online courses and educational programs for adults, bridging this gap between knowing and understanding is of the utmost importance. To do this and do it well, we must leverage powerful frameworks grounded in learning theory and instructional design. This three-part blog explored three such frameworks: "Understanding by Design" (UbD), Bloom's Digital Taxonomy, and the strategic integration of applied skills. Below is a summary of how applying these principles can move us beyond surface-level knowledge acquisition and cultivate genuine understanding that resonates with the motivations and needs of adult learners.
Bridging the Gap: Practical Strategies to Cultivate Understanding
To intentionally design online learning experiences that foster deep understanding in adult learners, consider the following practical strategies:
Design with the End in Mind: Embrace the principles of backward design by first clearly defining the desired understandings and learning outcomes before planning assessments and instructional activities.
Focus on Essential Questions: Develop thought-provoking essential questions that encourage learners to explore the "big ideas" of the subject matter and make meaningful connections across concepts.
Design for Meaningful Assessment: Develop assessments that go beyond simple recall and require learners to demonstrate their understanding through explanation, interpretation, application, analysis, evaluation, and creation. Utilize performance tasks and authentic assessments that mirror real-world challenges.
Incorporate Active Learning: Utilize online learning strategies that actively engage learners in the learning process, such as facilitated discussions, collaborative group projects, problem-solving activities, interactive simulations, and opportunities for peer feedback.
Provide Ample Opportunities for Application: Intentionally design learning activities and assignments that require learners to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in practical, real-world settings that are relevant to their goals and experiences.
Foster Reflection and Metacognition: Build in structured opportunities for learners to reflect on their learning process, make connections between concepts and their own experiences, and develop awareness of their own thinking and learning strategies.
Offer Timely and Constructive Feedback: Emphasize the importance of providing learners with feedback that is specific, timely, and actionable, guiding them in their learning journey and helping them identify areas for growth and deeper understanding.
It is crucial to move beyond the mere delivery of content and avoid designing activities simply for the sake of engagement without a clear connection to learning outcomes. Every element of the online course should be purposefully designed to contribute to the cultivation of understanding.
In addition, consider incorporating activities that encourage self-assessment and metacognitive reflection. Empowering adult learners to take ownership of their learning and develop a deeper understanding of their own learning processes can significantly enhance their ability to achieve genuine understanding.
Conclusion: Empowering Learners Through Deeper Understanding
The distinction between knowing and understanding is not merely semantic; it represents a fundamental difference in the depth and impact of learning. While knowing provides the foundational building blocks, it is understanding that allows adult learners to construct meaningful knowledge, apply it effectively, and ultimately achieve their learning goals. By strategically integrating the principles of "Understanding by Design," Bloom's Digital Taxonomy, and the power of applied skills, course creators and educational program designers can move beyond rote learning and cultivate online learning experiences that foster genuine and lasting understanding. This shift in focus empowers adult learners to become not just informed but truly capable and adaptable individuals ready to thrive in an ever-evolving world.