How can web-based learning system enhance adults learning in product design

Abstract

Optimal learning in product design occurs in the simulation of real world and problembased learning (PBL) activities. This is the core of teaching and leaming in most of engineering disciplines. These learning activities happen in a safe environment where errors are expected, and failure will deepen learning experience. The internet is proVing to be an effective way of delivering teaching and learning in engineering discipline. The advent of information and communication technologies (lCT) in teaching and learning process has created a global revolutionary of adult education and training. As society shifts from industrial to an information age, adults are becoming majority that involve in utilizing e-Iearning for education, professional and personal purposes. The teaching and learning environments in current higher learning institutions are undergoing major changes from teacher-centered, memory-based learning to a learnercentered. problem-based and self-directed learning (SOL) that can enhance learners' critical thinking, creativity and outstanding performance. This is the major challenge and the responsibility of adult educators to think and to substitute homogenized and linear flows of e-Iearning to fluid and multi-dimensional pedagogies that will promote and accelerate meaningful learning process. The purport of this paper is to discuss how web-based learning system can enhance learning in product design among adult learners in higher learning institution. This paper will also provide general understanding on several learning theories namely andragogy, SOL and PBL which can help educators to develop an effective web-based learning system for their adult learners.