I've been spending the last year focused on two key topics: creativity and learner engagement. Fortunately, I've found that a lot of others are focused on these topics.
Mid-year in 2010, I did a session on Autonomous Engagement and introduced a concept I call "the five opportunities" framework for autonomous learning. The opportunities are:
Assess - learners gain an awareness of their autonomy and the opportunity for self-direction.
Introspect - learners need opportunities to determine what is important, especially at the beginning of the learning, and to construct complex meaning throughout the learning.
Engage - Experience-based activities provide the grounds for proof, as well self-validation of competency.
Reflect - Reconsideration throughout the learning helps learners determine what should be integrated and how. It also helps them decide what to forget.
Share - We all are compelled to make contributions and become advocates for the ideas that we share.
I've shared this model with about 400 people now and it's generated a bit of buzz at conferences and in online sessions. I'd be interested in your thoughts...and would be happy to flesh out more details.
