ADULT LEARNING

Adult Learning

Adults desire explanations of why specific concepts are being taught in the first place

They typically respond best to learning that is centered around performing common tasks

Adult learning materials should take into account different levels of prior experience

Adult students prefer a self-directed approach that allows for discovery on their own

Styles of Learning

Visual: These learners prefer to see the process demonstrated in a step-by-step way. They benefit from video demonstrations and from lectures that focus on watching an expert perform a task. They also tend to use traditional class notes more effectively than others.

Auditory: These learners are most effective when they listen to a process or concept being described. They benefit most from a traditional lecture. Participating by actively asking questions may help them learn better. They gain advantages from recording each lecture.

Kinesthetic: Kinesthetic learners learn best by performing tasks. This is true even if they have not quite mastered the concepts and need to use trial and error. They can use either of the other learning styles as a secondary tool, but will benefit the most from project-based learning.

The Principles of Adult Learning Theory

As a general rule, adults need to be involved in planning their instruction and evaluating their results. They should be provided with an environment in which mistakes are safe, expected and a basis for continued learning, in keeping with a problem-centered approach to new ideas.

For the most part, adults have little time to learn new content for its own sake. Instead, they are interested in approaching tasks directly related to their occupation. To thrive in most learning environments, they must be clear on how each lesson fits into their goals for self-advancement.

From an early age, children are conditioned to recognize educators as authority figures who have broad-based power to tell them what to do, when and how. By contrast, adults expect that even the most credentialed expert will behave as a partner to them in a participative learning journey.