Six Aspects of the Adult Learner, Part II*

This is Part II of the two part article, Six Aspects of the Adult Learner. Part I was posted on September 22, 2008.

4. Adults are relevancy-oriented. They must see a reason for learning something. Learning has to be applicable to their work or other responsibilities to be of value to them. Therefore, instructors must identify objectives for adult participants before the course begins, and try to relate theories and concepts to a setting familiar to participants. Letting participants choose projects that reflect their own interests can fulfill this need.

5. Adults are practical. They usually focus on the aspects of a lesson most useful to them in their work. They may not be interested in knowledge for its own sake. Instructors must tell participants explicitly how the lesson will be useful to them on the job.

6. Adults need to be shown respect. Instructors must acknowledge the wealth of experiences that adult participants bring to the classroom. These adults should be treated as equals in experience and knowledge and allowed to voice their opinions freely in class.

*From the League for Innovation

Six Aspects of the Adult Learner, Part I*

As you finalize your classroom presentation, it would be a good idea to keep in mind six aspects of the adult learner. The first three of the six are given below. The remaining three will appear another time as Six Aspects of the Adult Learner, Part II.

1. Adults are autonomous and self-directed. They need to be free to direct themselves. Their instructor must actively involve them in the learning process and serve as a facilitator. Specifically, an instructor must get participants' perspectives about what topics to cover and let them work on projects that reflect their interests. The instructor should allow the participants to assume responsibility for presentations and group leadership (if applicable). They have to be sure to act as facilitators, guiding participants to their own knowledge rather than supplying them with facts.

2. Adults have accumulated a foundation of life experiences and
knowledge. This would include work-related activities, family responsibilities, and previous education. They need to connect learning to this knowledge/experience base. To help them do so, the instructor should draw out participants' experience and knowledge that is relevant to the
topic. They must relate theories and concepts to their students' prior experiences and recognize the value of experience in learning.

3. Adults are goal-oriented. Upon enrolling in a course, they usually know what goal they want to attain. Therefore, they appreciate an educational program that is organized and has clearly defined elements. The instructor must show participants how this class will help them attain their goals.

Part II will be the post for September 29, 2008.

*From the League for Innovation

More Teaching Tips: Stay Neutral, Active, Clear, and Play

With the new school year starting, try these tips:
1. Stay neutral on content. Your job is to pass on information but not be so attached to it that if anyone challenges it (not you) you don’t become confrontational.
2. Listen actively. Look people in the eye, use attentive body language and paraphrase what they are saying. They will return the favor when you are talking.
3. Paraphrase to be clear. Restate what you have just shared in a different way. This can clear up the looks of a “deer in the headlights” that you can get every now and then.
4. Play Ping-Pong. Picture yourself standing up front with a Ping Pong paddle in one hand. If someone asks a question or makes a comment, redirect it by sending it back to someone else to answer or build on. This helps the students not be solely dependent on you. They have a lot of knowledge and experience to share, take advantage of it.

Welcome Community Learning Instructors

Welcome to the new school year at COCC Community Learning! Registrations are pouring in and some classes have already started. If you wish to know about enrollment in your class please contact your Program Manager.

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