Learning Styles

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Learning Styles

• FYC4503
• Fall, 2002
• Dr. Carolyn Wilken

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Reflection Exercise

• How old were you?
• What as the teacher or leader like?
• What was the topic?
• What teaching methods were used?
• How did the experience leave you feeling?

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Andragogy VS Pedagogy

• Andragogy (and-re-goje)
• Persons become self-directed human beings
• Accumulated experiences used for learning
• Readiness to learn related to developmental tasks
• Time perspective on whats useful now

• Pedagogy (ped-e-goje)
• Focus on teaching children
• Content primarily transmission of culture
• Learner is passive
• Children lack experiences to apply to learning

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Andragogy assumes that learning is greatest when

• Learning respects personal life experiences
• Learning is problem centered
• Learning uses appropriate methodologies
• Learning coincides with existing life transitions
• Family Service Association of America (1982)

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7 Components of Andragogical Practice

• Teachers establish climate conducive to learning
• Circular seating arrangements
• Climate of mutual respect
• Emphasize collaborative modes of learning
• Offering to be supporting
• Emphasizing that learning is pleasant
• Stephen Brookfield, 1986

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• 2. Teachers involve learners in planning of
  methods and curricular. People commit when they
  helped decide.
• 3.Teachers must involve participants in
  diagnosing their own learning needs.
• Stephen Brookfield, 1986

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• 4. Teachers must encourage learners to formulate
  their own learning objectives.
• 5. Teachers must encourage learners to identify
  resources and to devise strategies for using such
  resources to accomplish their objectives.
• Stephen Brookfield, 1986

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• 6. Teachers must help learners to carry out their
  learning plans.
• 7. Teachers must involve learners in evaluating
  their learning. Primarily through the use of
  qualitative evaluative modes.
• Stephen Brookfield, 1986

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5 Issues to Consider with Adult Learners

• Learners must know WHY it is important to learn
  something
• Show learners how to direct themselves through
  information
• Teachers must relate the topic to learners
  experiences
• Learners must be ready and motivated to learn
• Help learners overcome inhibitions, behaviors,
  and beliefs about learning
• Family Service Association of America (1982)

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Life Transitions

• Engagement
• Marriage
• Considering parenthood
• Families with young children
• Families with adolescents
• Last child leaving home
• Retirement

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Life Transitions

• Death of a spouse
• Divorce
• Single parenthood
• Remarriage

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Web Sites on Andragogy

• Nebraska Institute for the Study of Adult
  Literacy
• An Introduction to Andragogy and Pedagogy