Learn how adults learn best by exploring self-directed learning, experience-based meaning-making, constructivist design strategies, and practical ways to evaluate real-world learning impact.
Examining Learning and Development is a beginner-friendly course that helps you understand how adults learn, and how to design learning experiences that actually stick. You’ll explore why adult learners tend to thrive when they have choice and ownership (self-directed learning), and how their prior work and life experience functions like a “library” that new ideas connect to. Using a constructivist lens, the course emphasizes that knowledge is actively built, not passively received. You’ll see why learning improves when people can safely test ideas, try new roles, and learn through trial-and-error in a supportive “learning space.” You’ll also examine how meaning-making is shaped by social and cultural context, and why adults learn best when activities are purposeful, relevant, and tied to real-world application. To turn theory into practice, you’ll learn instructional design tools and methods such as problem-and project-based learning, peer tutoring, and computer-mediated (technology-supported) learning. You’ll also use workflow and flow mapping to make complex tasks easier to follow step-by-step, especially helpful for reducing common technology “user error.” Finally, you’ll learn to evaluate learning effectiveness using the Kirkpatrick model (Reaction, Learning, Behavior, Results) and choose practical indicators and data collection methods, like surveys, pre/post measures, KPIs, observations, and feedback, to understand what improved and what to refine. Across exactly five modules, you’ll build a clear, usable toolkit for designing adult learning that is engaging, inclusive, and measurably effective.
1. Introduction to Adult Learning and Development
2. Constructivism and Meaning-Making in Adult Learning
3. Designing Supportive and Inclusive Learning experiences
4. Evaluating Learning Impact with Kirkpatrick and Practical Indicators
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Adult Learning Foundations
Explain the principles of adult learning and why autonomy, relevance, and experience matter in adult education.
Describe how self-directed learning promotes ownership, motivation, and persistence.
Experience & Meaning-Making
Analyze how prior experiences shape new knowledge and use strategies to activate learners’ existing mental models.
Identify how social and cultural context influences adult meaning‑making and engagement.
Constructivist Learning Design
Apply constructivist strategies—such as experimentation, role-play, and trial‑and‑error—to design active learning experiences.
Create psychologically safe learning spaces that support exploration, reflection, and feedback.
Instructional Design Methods
Design learning activities using problem-based, project-based, peer-supported, and technology-enhanced approaches.
Use workflow and flow mapping to break down complex tasks into clear, learnable steps.
Evaluating Learning Impact
Apply the Kirkpatrick Model (Reaction, Learning, Behavior, Results) to evaluate the effectiveness of a learning program.
Select practical indicators and data collection methods, such as surveys, pre/post measures, KPIs, and observations, to assess outcomes and refine instruction.
Certificate of completion.
This class is an independent-study course. Learners will have all the resources needed to successfully complete the course within the online material. A student helpdesk is available for technical support during the course enrollment.