Transforming Training and Education to meet the needs of 21st CenturyLearners

e-Learning may be used as a tool for transforming industrial age models of training and education, that are still prevalent across the U.S. and around the world, to information age models that better meet the needs of 21st learners. Educators and educational administrators striving to make such transformations, however, face three fundamental challenges. They must: (a) provide the technology necessary for learners to readily access training and educational materials from anywhere at anytime; (b) restructure training and educational systems so that learners may choose when to initiate and complete educational programs, and (c) offer high quality training and educational programs based on sound pedagogical principles and practices that utilize the capability of emerging technologies to facilitate individual and group learning. Continuing advances in telecommunication technologies (such as, but not limited to mobile devices, virtual worlds, and the Internet) provide learners with virtually limitless access to information and multimedia resources. For this keynote presentation, Dr. Hirumi will (a) create a vision of a restructured educational system that allows learners to initiate and complete educational programs based on their own needs and interests, and (b) identify and discuss pedagogical principles for designing high quality elearning and hybrid educational programs. Emphasis will be placed on the application of instructional strategies that are grounded in research and theory as well as use of interactive entertainment to engage 21st century learners.