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Adult Learner Characteristics
&
Teaching Implications
Adult Learners Characteristics
Adult learner characteristics
Principles of adult learning
Teaching implications
Adults want to take more control over learning than youth. As adults are self-directed in their lives, they transfer this need for independence to the learning situation.
Adults are autonomous and self directed.
ask for their preferences
allow them to choose among different activities
implement self-assessment
Adult learner characteristics
Principles of adult learning
Teaching implications
Adults draw upon their experiences as a resource for learning.
Adults have accumulated a foundation of experiences and knowledge.
use their experiences as a resource for learning
connect their previous knowledge with their new knowledge
Adult Learners Characteristics
Adult learner characteristics
Principles of adult learning
Teaching implications
Adults tend to be more motivated than youth.
Remember that they choose to take your class.
Adults are goal oriented.
They have clear objectives for attending a course.
show them the objectives of the course
invite them to share their objectives and make them part of the plan
maintain their motivation through varied and relevant activities
Adult Learners Characteristics
Adult learner characteristics
Principles of adult learning
Teaching implications
Adults are pragmatic.
They want to put what they learn immediately into practice.
Adults are relevancy oriented and practical.
don’t spend too much time with theory
show the applicability of the new knowledge
try to put the students’ needs first
make them use what you’ve taught immediately
Adult Learners Characteristics
Adult learner characteristics
Principles of adult learning
Teaching implications
The learner role is secondary for adults, and they must fit their learning into life’s margins. Since they have many roles in life, being a student is not their main priority.
Adults need to be shown respect.
establish a peer relationship with them
give all the students the same opportunities
be flexible
Adult Learners Characteristics
Adult Learners Characteristics
Adult learner characteristics
Teaching implications
Many adults lack confidence in their learning because of negative past experiences and “rusty” study skills.
use confidence-building activities
teach study skills
use pairs and groups to reduce anxiety
Adult Learners Characteristics
Adult learner characteristics
Teaching implications
Adults are more resistant to change.
They are comfortable with what they know and what works for them.
explain the reasons underlying the changes
link new ideas with previous ones
introduce changes slowly, one by one
Adult Learners Characteristics
Adult learner characteristics
Teaching implications
Adults must compensate for aging in learning.
Though adults may have problems related with age, such as sight or mobility, they learn slowly but more deeply.
check the learning environment
check your pace to give them time to process the information
Adult Learners Characteristics
Resistant Learners Teaching implications•Think about an especially tough resistor that you had to deal with
•Be that person—”What are the reasons I don’t want to be here?”
•Priorities: other things are more important•Relevant: what’s in it for me•Fear: of change, embarrassment•Boring: death by lecture
Associate with the resistor Reiterate class agenda and objectives Engage the resistor in discussion or activity Switch to discussion or activity
Why Adults Want To Learn
To gain knowledge or a skill they need
To better manage changes in their lives
To increase or maintain a sense of self-esteem
Adults learn best when:
• teaching is built upon their own experiences
• they can apply what they have learned immediately to their own lives
• there is a mixture of teaching approaches
• the learning environment is friendly, informal and comfortable
Effective teaching
• The best presentations are dynamic, responsive and organic, not canned.
• Keep your class size small. • Keep lectures to a minimum. Stop for
questions and answer. Follow up with a learning activity.
• Draw on life experiences, your own as well as theirs.
Care about your audience
• Make them feel welcomed and comfortable.
• Be respectful.• Make eye contact.• Allow time for them to ask questions.• Take time to break into small interactive
learning groups.
One Week Before Your Training
One Day Before Your Training
One Hour Before Your Training
One Minute Before Your Training
A good teacher of adults
• Is people-centered, more interested in people than things, more interested in individuality than conformity, and more interested in finding solutions than following rules.
• Is understanding, flexible, patient, humorous, practical, creative and prepared.
• In other words…a Librarian.