The Adult Learner

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The Adult Learner

• In-Tech Redelivery Training

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The Adult Learner

• Adult educators need a different set of attitudes
  and skills than those employed when teaching
  children and adolescents.

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Andragogy

• The art and science of helping adults learn.
• Malcolm Knowles - Father of Adult Education
• Educated at Harvard
• Published 18 books
• Elements are very practicalin designing
  effective learningexperiences for adults!

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Nature of the Adult LearnerFour Traditional
Principles

• Adults desire and enact a tendency toward
  self-directness as they mature.
• Adults experiences provide a rich resource for
  learning.
• Adults are aware of specific learning needs
  generated by real life tasks or problems.
• Adults wish to apply newly acquired skills or
  knowledge to their immediate circumstances.

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Adult Learners

• Need to know why they need to learn.
• Have a need to protect the facets of their
  self-concept.
• Have accumulated valuable life experiences.
• Become ready to learn when they judge they need
  to know.
• Integrate new information most effectively when
  presented in the context of real life.
• Derive motivation primarily from intrinsic forces.

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Andragogical Points to Ponder

• Establish a climate of humanness conducive to
  learning.
• Involve participants in the evaluation of their
  learning.
• Encourage learners to identify resources and
  devise strategies for utilizing resources in
  accomplishing learning objectives.

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InTech Examples(Why do I want to be here?)

• Georgias A Education Act
• Explanation and discussion of the Five Critical
  Areas
• ACOT studies and developmental stages
• Adoption
• Adaptation
• Appropriation
• Innovation
• Relevant activities and valid methodologies
• Active, participatory learning

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Motivation

• An unstable hypothetical construct which cannot
  be directly measured.
• A finite amount of energy that can be applied to
  a goal.
• People change their minds about what they want to
  learn.
• People vary in how much effort they will expend

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Factors Impacting the Adult Learner

• Attitude - results from a combination of factors.
• Need - internal force that leads the learner to
  move in the direction of a goal.
• Stimulation - helps to sustain adult learning
  behavior vulnerable to boredom, fatigue, and
  distraction
• Affect the emotional experience while learning!
  Emotional Intelligence
• Competence - more motivated when they are aware
  that they are mastering learning tasks which will
  make them more effective at what they value.
• Reinforcement- must be accompanied by clear
  expectations or it will not be taken seriously.

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Ensure Successful Learning

• Make the learning experience safe, successful,
  and interesting.
• Make learning goals as clear as possible.
• Include activities that allow adults to share
  what they have learned.
• Provide variety in the processes and materials
  used for learning.
• Use cooperative goal structures to achieve
  learning outcomes.
• Provide feedback to learners regarding their
  performance and mastery.

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As Facilitator--YOU

• Set the tone and climate.
• Should be organized and enthusiastic.
• Make sure equipment and software are in proper
  working order.
• Should begin and end on time.
• Make sure instructions are thorough and clear.
• Allow time for questions and discussion.
• Provide a positive closing.

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AdditionalTips for Trainers
MS Word Document
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Who dares to teach, must never cease to learn.
John Cotton Dana
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Resources

• Belgium-Roots Project. Online. Andragogy.
  Available http//belgium.rootsweb.com/sci/andrag
  ogy.html 2001, January 19
• Nebraska Institute for the Study of Adult
  Literacy. Online. Available http//archon.educ.
  kent.edu/nebraska/ 1998, July 2