Barbara Nadeau is a Quinnipiac University in Connecticut and presented on “Facilitating Transformative Learning in an Online Asynchronous Environment.” Nadeau wants to avoid chaos and shared a quote from Mezirow 2000. The Transformative Learning Theory from Mezirow 1991 is “an orientation which holds that the way learners interpret and reinterpret their sense of experience is central to making meaning and hence learning (Mezirow, 1991).” Nadeau compared learning and transformative learning by speaking about constructivism and learning by connecting old meaning to new experience. Nadeau said one of the central concepts of transformative learning is that we all have frames of reference: we all have associations, concepts, values… Nadeau stated that there are two dimensions of frames of reference. The first is habits of mind based on the assumptions that “act as a filter for our experiences.” Importantly, Nadeau explained that transformative is a type of learning. A disorienting dilemma allows us to develop knowledge and skills. Mezirow had conditions “required” for transformative learning, and one Nadeau focused on is “be free from coercion.” Ways to promote transformative learning include “immersions in contexts outside the classroom to help trigger “disorienting dilemmas” and “active dialogue – with another person, group, or reader.” Nadeau shared examples from online asynchronous courses they teach. Nadeau also shared ways to enhance discourse through discussion boards and do the implicit bias test! Another discourse tool is using journaling and prompts. Nadeau includes several questions and allows learners to select one or a couple for their journal entries. Nadeau’s session had so many examples and references! One example Nadeau had was assigning art pieces and theories to learners to describe scenarios and then students share their ideas in a forum. I didn’t know about the Transformative Learning Theory and now have some references and ideas about disorienting dilemmas and active dialogue that tie in nicely with the Critical and Creative Thinking modules I am taking.
