Author/s:
Khanal, Peshal*
Central Department of Education, Tribhuvan University, Nepal (peshalk@gmail.com)
Abstract:
There has been a growing trend of online education in higher education, with its ever-increasing popularity among adult learners in particular. However, due to the lack of real-life, interactive environment in web-based settings, the problem persists as to how the learning becomes effective, interactive and meaningful. This article attempts to address this issue by exploring the implications of constructivism for interactive online learning, with a particular focus on the characteristics and needs of adult learners. Following a brief review of scholarships surrounding the issue of constructivism, adult learning and online learning, this article explores and discusses five implications of constructivism for online adult learning program – interactive learning, experiential learning, self-directed learning, collaborative learning and authentic learning.
Keywords: constructivism; adult learning; online learning; virtual learning; collaborative learning
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2013.302
*Corresponding Author