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The use of groups in adult education has a long history.The development of technology has made this format of learning very effective. Online or face to face large group learning can include:

Conference and conventions

Clubs and other types of organized groups

Institutes

Theatre

Educational tours

Residential Learning (retreat)

Lecture series

The 3 benefits for using this format:

Cost-efficient and practical; when people are brought together

Learners can share ideas and learn from each other, but must take into account the attention span.  In a lecture format for example. (Ted Talk is a great example)

Time effective as it covers (with the same material )a larger public but as students should not in advance what the contents would be to gather the most out of the presentation

Website/Research

Large group  Teaching  strategies

https://www.ucd.ie/teaching/resources/teachingtoolkit/largegroupteachingstrategies/

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Using online formats to deliver a program give you so many different opportunities for accessibility, learner engagement, and resources for continued education. An example of using this in a program could be highlighted through my personal program plan, mental health education. Delivering mental health safety and awareness training in the workplace can be done using a variety of online platforms to deliver both synchronous and asynchronous material. This can further serve the purpose of distance learning.

Online formats for mental health program delivery can look like the following:

e-Learning modules where participants can be located in a place of their preference (i.e., optimal for their learning) and apply their knowledge and skills through different methods of delivery (i.e., polls, images, videos, etc.).

Audio and video conferencing – this is where learners can sign up or enroll in live classes and learn from an instructor/their peers through virtual classrooms. This is done currently using platforms like Zoom, MS Teams, and/or WebEx.

Social media platforms – this is where more informal learning can take place and learners can create networks where they can interact from all over the world. Social media is where those wishing to learn from others and their experiences from anywhere they want can be accessed from the touch of a button. It makes shared experiences and learning from other experienced professionals widely accessible and easier to access.

I have provided an example of each of these online formats in mental health programs below:

e-Learning Module:

https://www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/mindful_employee/

Audio/Video Conferencing:

https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/resources/training/webinars

Social Media/Network:

https://www.facebook.com/theMHCC

Three benefits from using online formats for program delivery include, but are not limited to:

1. Accessibility – online formats have the opportunity for learners to engage with the content from a wide range of different accessibility options. Learners can have options of closed captioning, recorded content to access for future use, speed controls, audio extensions, etc. This also allows learners to access the online material from the devices of their choice – meaning the possibilities are greater than having to travel, or access technology from a specific location

2. Distance Learning – using online platforms means you can reach a wider audience from more remote locations. Online program delivery means as long as you have an electronic device and access to a working internet connection, you are able to engage with the course material.

3. Reaching more learners – using online platforms also means you can reach a wider audience because you are not necessarily limited to the same number of learners due to space restrictions or audible delivery (i.e., in person). Depending on the nature of the course, you can extend the enrollment to reach more students and be more available. Of course, assessment and engagement with the students may limit enrollment capacity, but this varies from program to program.

This can be both an expensive or inexpensive option, and here is why. E-Learning and using online formats can be inexpensive for those who already have access to mobile and electronic devices. For those who already have these devices, online learning can typically be accessed for free (i.e., if you are in Zoom classes, MS Teams presentations, or WebEx) you can use the platform for free – or it may be included in a small course enrollment fee. As well, online social media outlets are typically free, so cases of informal learning in this sense are very inexpensive and easy to access. On the other hand, online formats can be expensive if you do not already have access to electronic devices or internet – as these things can be costly. In addition to this, for those delivering the program via these online platforms like Zoom, MS Teams, WebEx, etc. it can be quite costly to have your own ‘environment’ or subscription for a wide range of audiences. There are certainly circumstances that can sway this response in either direction.

References

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). (2021). Being a Mindful Employee: An Orientation to Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. Accessed on 03/30/21 from https://www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/mindful_employee/

Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2021). Facebook: The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). Accessed on 03/30/21 from https://www.facebook.com/theMHCC

Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2021). Webinars. Accessed on 03/30/21 from https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/resources/training/webinars

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During the training, it is very important to have peers to study with you. Many studies have shown that collaborative learning is good for academic performance, communication skills and self-confidence (Hammar Chiriac, 2014). If learners work together, they are more likely to try to use different techniques in solving problems. They can also think more deeply and learn faster from the positive and negative feedback from their peers. In addition, using Small-Group Formats as the training unit will save the budget and time for the trainer. a reasonable number of groups also can help the trainer provide effective guidance and assistance to each learner.

Three benefits:

Share ideas with peers:

Small-Group Formats are very suitable for skill training and brainstorming. The small number of people makes everyone in the class know and understand each other. The fewer learners in the class, the more time they will spend on express their opinions. Learners can truly understand the source of these ideas and enrich their application in practical situations. This means that even shy students have the opportunity to understand peers’ ideas and share them with their classmates.

Effective guidance and assistance from the trainer:

Trainers in small classes have more opportunities to observe and evaluate the individual performance of the entire class and each learner. When learners and trainers can interact spontaneously in the classroom, learning can be further strengthened. In a learning environment with a small number of students, trainers can have more time to teach and bring new knowledge. trainers can also teach in accordance with learners' aptitude to ensure that they are integrated and understand the content of the course.

Learn to overcome conflict:

Conflict in group work is actually a very normal thing. Because when working with others, it is natural to have differences due to differences of opinion. It also represents the learner’s future workplace experience. By communicating in a more controlled environment, learners can learn communication skills and how to solve interpersonal problems more effectively and correctly.

Reference:

Hammar Chiriac, E. (2014). Group work as an incentive for learning - students’ experiences of group work. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 558–558. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00558

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Individual formats can be used a number of ways including apprenticeship, coaching, computer based education, interactive tutorial and internet search (Kellam, 2021). The most popular used recently, due to restrictions for the pandemic, is computer based education. Computer based education can be used in all education settings from younger grades to adult education. It is extremely beneficial in adult education as most adults have busy lives with work and family and being able to gain education online allows them to complete it at their own pace. Individual formats can be used in all types of adult education programs from higher education to work training. Individual formats allow for a more personal connection to be made between the teacher and the student. Individual formats can be used within a program to allow students to ask questions on how to be successful in the program and how they are progressing within the program. Individual formats also allow for a more personal relationship to be formed between the teacher and the student and research shows that when students (learners) have a better relationship with their students they do better in retention of information.

Three benefits for using individual formats are:

Closer relationship between teacher and student: Individual formats allow for students to have a closer relationship with their students. Students can connect easier with their professor to ask questions and express any issues or concerns they may have with the course or program.

Asynchronous learning: Individual formats such as computer based learning allow for programs to be completed asynchronously. This allows students to complete the program at their own pace and at times that work for them.  This is beneficial for adult education as many adults have busy lives due to work and family activities.

More personal learning: Individual formats allows for more individualized learning. Teachers are able to prepare lessons directly for the specific students learning ability and where they are at in terms of the program. Teachers are able to teach within a progression for a specific student as don’t need to worry about students being ahead or behind on specific information.

A great resource to use on individual formats is the following article:

NHI Instructor Development Course. (2020). Principles of adult learning and instructional system design. Retrieved from: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/downloads/freebies/172/pr%20pre-course%20reading%20assignment.pdf