ENGLISH 200

Welcome to the GPS 200 Adult Learning Theory & Practice Module 8 presentation on “Where do you want to go from here?”

Before we go anywhere, let’s, as a reminder from Module 1 and a wrap-up for Module 8, take a moment and review the GPS 200 course description.

“GPS 200 Adult Learning & Theory examines the way in which perceptions of the human experience influence life choices. Students will critically analyze theories of adult learning, behavioral change, goal setting, and self-efficacy through the investigation of language and texts. Ethical and moral reflections will be exhibited through journals, discussions and debates. The course focuses on thinking critically, learning to learn, managing stress, planning time, conducting research, writing effectively, and evaluating language and texts. A scholarly research paper will be completed. The course prepares learners for the rigors of academia and increases their confidence that they can be successful.”

Let’s focus on the last sentence in the course description: “The course prepares learners for the rigors of academia and increases their confidence that they can be successful.” We did this through what we call the three pillars of GPS 200, the combination of which stimulate intellectual curiosity and provide tools for students to carry throughout their academic career and beyond. The first pillar is self as a developing learner. Here we thoughtfully considered various academic theories and concepts—such as adult learning theory, the theory of planned behavior, and change theories to name a few—that provide a foundation for academic discourse. As the course title suggests, we also explored practical tools students can use on their life and academic journeys in areas such as setting goals, establishing priorities, planning time, and managing stress. The second pillar is self as a developing researcher and the third pillar is self as a developing writer. Taken together, the second and third pillar builds students’ skills and confidence that they can identify a topic, develop a plan for finding, evaluating, and writing about sources while staying true to their own voices as writers.

Returning to the last sentence in the course description, let’s consider the ways you have been successful. Here’s how…

You are a better learner. You have learned more about how to learn and are moving toward demonstrating even more behaviors of an outstanding student. Furthermore, you have become more aware of how you think (metacognition), and you are using Bloom’s Taxonomy and other frameworks and concepts to enhance your critical thinking skills.

You are a better researcher and writer. You have exhibited research and writing skills through completion of assignments such as your portfolio essays along with engagement in all the steps of the staged research paper process.

You are more self-directed. Many students discover positive changes regarding self-direction when re-taking Gibbon’s Self-Directed Learning Survey. How about you?

You are more self-aware. Application assignments and discussions have helped to increase your self-awareness.

And these are just a few examples of success. And remember, such mastery experiences are one of the four ways that Dr. Bandura says self-efficacy is built.

And although we began with the end in mind, it is okay to revisit the beginning at the end of the course. In fact, the end of a good story usually revisits the beginning.

In this module, you will reflect on the entirety of our course, starting at the beginning. Reflection without evidence is opinion or autobiography. Conversely, evidence without reflection is sterile. Self-reflection is a key to success no matter what career you choose.

Let’s recall a small excerpt of a conversation between Alice in Wonderland and The Cat.

 

Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here? The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to. Alice: I don't much care where. (No self-reflection!) The Cat: Then it doesn't matter much which way you go.

We at GPS 200 believe it does matter which way you go and we trust you do, too! Enjoy reflecting on what you have learned during the past eight weeks. Enjoy looking back as you forge ahead.

We leave you with this quote from Steven Covey, "Every human has four endowments—self-awareness, conscience, independent will, and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom...The power to choose, to respond, to change."

Thank you and have a great week!