Learning Partner Summary

 

An asynchronous course is not my preferred style of learning but I had no choice, it is the only way to take VCC PIDP 3100 course. It was so refreshing to virtually meet my learning partner Remi. We talked about the trends in our field and adult education and chatted about our course learning and experience, as well as many other unrelated topics.

Trends in our industry

Remi is in the culinary industry and both our fields have been impacted by the global pandemic but in different ways. In my case co-op students have been impacted with difficulties finding work. Students have needed to become resilient and adaptable.

For my learning partner the restaurant industry has been struggling with the constant changes in health and safety requirements, shut downs and take-out only business model. The industry has also required a resilient mind set with the ability to instantly pivot. A trend in this industry has been the commissary kitchen. A shared space for restaurant owners to come together and have their own mini kitchen and share some overhead costs.

https://foodiedrummer596005255.wordpress.com/2021/02/24/from-moocs-to-maits/

This business model creates a community of restaurant owners with similar needs. Together they can collaborate, work and learn. Business owners can focus on making good food and streamline overheads, rather than deal with full service restaurant drama.

Trends in Adult Education

We both saw similar trends in adult learning I highlighted micro-credentials. The majority of micro-credentials are delivered using MOOCs. Remi focused on MOOC: Massive Open Online Course. They are generally free, which is a huge plus but the problem is many students that sign up for these courses don’t complete them. This is were MAIT comes in, defined by having automated, individualized assessments˲ interactivity˲ adaptivity and modularity. MAIT creates interactive learning experiences that can adapt to learners’ individual needs and try to simulate one-on-one education. The downside is the cost of this technology is extremely expensive.

I just realized it has been over a year since I had an hour long conversation with someone I don't know. As a person that learns through discussion, talking to someone that has a shared interest, was a lift to my day. It has reignited my motivation and interest to keep moving forward in PIDP 3100 course.