Adult Learners & Adult Education Workshop Assignment
Adult Learners & Adult Education Workshop Assignment
Part 1: Adult Learners
The Adult Learner (AL) is one who has graduated and is “in the workforce.” Many adult learners fall into one of three general categories: retirees, returning to school, or returning to work after a layoff. Some will fit into multiple categories. Adults choose education-specific training today due to many different reasons. This raises questions that challenge traditional approaches to adult education and the “adult learner” category (Yusuf, 2021). Therefore, it is essential to understand the characteristics of adult learners, the needs or interests of adult learners, motivation for adult learners, and appropriate instructional approaches for teaching adult learners.
Characteristics of Adult Learners
Today’s adult learner exhibits some characteristics that are different from the 20th Century learner. They have a work ethic in line with the age-old adage, “work smarter, not harder.” This is the ideal learner who is willing to take risks and embrace change. Adult learners want to better themselves and their lot in life. They get gratification from taking risks and learning new things (Abedini et al., 2021). The adult learner will quickly get bored with traditional learning formats such as lectures, videotapes, and readings that do not apply directly to work activities.
The adult learner is an organized individual who is responsible for their learning. The learner has the individualism to ask tough questions and challenge the instructor. However, they are not timid about asking questions (Kapur, 2015). In most cases, the adult learner needs to ensure that aspects of their lives are in order, including finances, time management and schedules, and things they need or want to accomplish.
The adult learner has the responsibility to manage their own business. In addition, they need to manage their time and be responsible for deciding with other people, such as their work or school, personal family schedules, and social engagements (Kapur, 2015). The adult learner has had an advanced experience that demonstrates their ability to handle more responsibility. They are capable of critical thinking and attending to other work and family issues as they continue with classes.
Needs/Interests of Adult Learners
The new millennium has continued to bring with it a new reality of adult education. Today, adults are more sophisticated and have higher expectations than in the “good old days.” The Adult Learner needs a well-organized environment with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and authority structures (Loeng, 2020). They need an environment where people are accountable for their activities and are given the authority to make decisions. The adult learner has had success in work environments before their training, so they are accustomed to being active participants in their work. The adult learner wants to learn but needs to have a purpose for learning (Kapur, 2015). Adult learners need an environment where they are given clear, concise instructions on doing the work at hand. They want orderly, sequential steps designed to move them quickly through the material.
The Motivation of Adult Learners
Adult learners can learn a lot from life experiences. They have a wealth of knowledge and life experience that will influence their learning experiences. Forming new connections with people can make adult learning motivated and more effective (Kapur, 2019). For example, an individual may not have been involved in activities as a youth where they developed personal relationships. As an adult learner, such a person may want to create personal relationships with other people, which they might have missed as teenagers.
The Adult Learner is a source of innovation and creativity. They are motivated to interact with the changes that have been brought about by innovation and technological advancements. Adult learners are constantly inspired to have a broader perspective of the world and see ways to improve things. Adults have been through experiences that have made them more critical thinkers and better problem solvers (Kapur, 2015). As a result, they are more reflective and self-directing; they are not followers. Followers tend to be followers because they lack the ability or inclination to lead.
Appropriate Approaches to Instructing Adults
The adult learner prefers informal learning over traditional classroom learning. Traditional school models are great places for children, but not really for adults. This is not good for adult learners. Adults need an environment where they are responsible for their learning, are not afraid to make mistakes, and are not scared of taking risks. Adult learners, unlike children, have more experiences and interactions with other people, which allows them to learn through interacting with others (Yusuf, 2021). The adult learner can develop practical communication skills. Some students may sometimes find it helpful to find a partner to communicate with and help each other out as they work on their projects.
Online learning is one of the best instructional strategies for the adult learner. The online environment allows the learner to have more flexibility. The Adult Learner can take courses on their own time or at their own pace. This is convenient for someone who works full-time or multiple jobs and wants to continue working while pursuing an education. For example, an Adult Learner may want to go back to school, but they work during all the regular hours of operation for the college. Instead of finding a night class that fits their schedule, they can take classes online during regular working hours (Abedini et al., 2021). This allows the learner to take advantage of the training tools available for online learning without compromising their work or social life.
Technology now provides tools for getting things done more efficiently. Gone are when people had to write down assignments and hand them to their instructors or professors. This is very similar to how others used notebooks and planners, where they kept track of what they needed to do and when they needed to accomplish specific tasks. There are several ways to learn online. Some people prefer watching videos while others prefer reading text. Regardless of how one chooses to learn, the online platform offers excellent advantages over traditional delivery methods (Abedini et al., 2021). Today, there are apps that usually help adult learners get things done on time.
Part 2: Adult Education Workshop
Several programs have worked for adult learning systems, including edx, Coursera, and others. This is great for individuals who do not have the time or money for traditional college courses. These open access programs provide a better way for adults to learn without the expense. An excellent example of an online class for adult learners is the Microsoft Program offered at Collin College. The course can be accessed at https://www.collin.edu/ce/classes/comp-tech.html.
Microsoft started a program at Collin College’s higher education program where seniors or people not seeking a degree can take classes after work or over the weekend to advance their skills. The target audience for the program is a team of adult learners who do not have time to attend classroom teaching. It works for beginners, intermediates, and experts. Some of the classes include Microsoft Excel to teach people how to work on spreadsheets and balance their accounts. This comes in handy, especially for small business owners who are used to working on ledgers and take their work online to share their accountants’ information.
Once students register to complete this online course, they are expected to create time to meet course requirements. The fee is usually charged per credit hour and according to the number of course units taken. In this program, adult learners are taught by qualified and experienced instructors.
Collin College’s higher Education program also offers students the opportunity to select classes in areas of interest. This program has helped working adults get what they need for their career better than traditional colleges where people are forced to sit in a classroom doing what they are told or paying up to around one thousand dollars a course. There are two key ways to learn in this course. First, there is the way where the learner is given a guide or a set of instructions to follow through on each course of action. The second way is to provide students with some freedom and flexibility with what they learn and how they learn it. This allows the Adult Learner to have some creative control over what they learn while learning at their own pace and unique. Of course, both learning environments have their pros and cons, but both provide different learning experiences for students.
References
Abedini, A., Abedin, B., & Zowghi, D. (2021). Adult learning and online communities of practice: A systematic review. The British Journal of Educational Technology, 52(4), 1663-1694.
Kapur, S. (2015). Understanding the characteristics of adult learner. Jamia Journal of Education, 2(1), 111-129.
Kapur, R. (2019). Facilitating the development of adult learning. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335527782_Facilitating_the_Development_of_Adult_Learning
Loeng, S. (2020). Self-directed learning: a core concept in adult education. Education Research International, 3816132. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3816132
Yusuf, M. (2021). Adult learning principles a strategy for improving instructional delivery in higher institutions of learning in Nigeria. Asian Journal for Education and Social Studies, 15(1), 38-45. doi: 10.9734/AJESS/2021/v15i130369.
Adult Learners & Adult Education Workshop Assignment
Texas Women’s University
Name
Adult Learners & Adult Education Workshop Assignment
Part 1: Adult Learners
The Adult Learner (AL) is one who has graduated and is “in the workforce.” Many adult learners fall into one of three general categories: retirees, returning to school, or returning to work after a layoff. Some will fit into multiple categories. Adults choose education-specific training today due to many different reasons. This raises questions that challenge traditional approaches to adult education and the “adult learner” category (Yusuf, 2021). Therefore, it is essential to understand the characteristics of adult learners, the needs or interests of adult learners, motivation for adult learners, and appropriate instructional approaches for teaching adult learners.
Characteristics of Adult Learners
Today’s adult learner exhibits some characteristics that are different from the 20th Century learner. They have a work ethic in line with the age-old adage, “work smarter, not harder.” This is the ideal learner who is willing to take risks and embrace change. Adult learners want to better themselves and their lot in life. They get gratification from taking risks and learning new things (Abedini et al., 2021). The adult learner will quickly get bored with traditional learning formats such as lectures, videotapes, and readings that do not apply directly to work activities.
The adult learner is an organized individual who is responsible for their learning. The learner has the individualism to ask tough questions and challenge the instructor. However, they are not timid about asking questions (Kapur, 2015). In most cases, the adult learner needs to ensure that aspects of their lives are in order, including finances, time management and schedules, and things they need or want to accomplish.
The adult learner has the responsibility to manage their own business. In addition, they need to manage their time and be responsible for deciding with other people, such as their work or school, personal family schedules, and social engagements (Kapur, 2015). The adult learner has had an advanced experience that demonstrates their ability to handle more responsibility. They are capable of critical thinking and attending to other work and family issues as they continue with classes.
Needs/Interests of Adult Learners
The new millennium has continued to bring with it a new reality of adult education. Today, adults are more sophisticated and have higher expectations than in the “good old days.” The Adult Learner needs a well-organized environment with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and authority structures (Loeng, 2020). They need an environment where people are accountable for their activities and are given the authority to make decisions. The adult learner has had success in work environments before their training, so they are accustomed to being active participants in their work. The adult learner wants to learn but needs to have a purpose for learning (Kapur, 2015). Adult learners need an environment where they are given clear, concise instructions on doing the work at hand. They want orderly, sequential steps designed to move them quickly through the material.
The Motivation of Adult Learners
Adult learners can learn a lot from life experiences. They have a wealth of knowledge and life experience that will influence their learning experiences. Forming new connections with people can make adult learning motivated and more effective (Kapur, 2019). For example, an individual may not have been involved in activities as a youth where they developed personal relationships. As an adult learner, such a person may want to create personal relationships with other people, which they might have missed as teenagers.
The Adult Learner is a source of innovation and creativity. They are motivated to interact with the changes that have been brought about by innovation and technological advancements. Adult learners are constantly inspired to have a broader perspective of the world and see ways to improve things. Adults have been through experiences that have made them more critical thinkers and better problem solvers (Kapur, 2015). As a result, they are more reflective and self-directing; they are not followers. Followers tend to be followers because they lack the ability or inclination to lead.
Appropriate Approaches to Instructing Adults
The adult learner prefers informal learning over traditional classroom learning. Traditional school models are great places for children, but not really for adults. This is not good for adult learners. Adults need an environment where they are responsible for their learning, are not afraid to make mistakes, and are not scared of taking risks. Adult learners, unlike children, have more experiences and interactions with other people, which allows them to learn through interacting with others (Yusuf, 2021). The adult learner can develop practical communication skills. Some students may sometimes find it helpful to find a partner to communicate with and help each other out as they work on their projects.
Online learning is one of the best instructional strategies for the adult learner. The online environment allows the learner to have more flexibility. The Adult Learner can take courses on their own time or at their own pace. This is convenient for someone who works full-time or multiple jobs and wants to continue working while pursuing an education. For example, an Adult Learner may want to go back to school, but they work during all the regular hours of operation for the college. Instead of finding a night class that fits their schedule, they can take classes online during regular working hours (Abedini et al., 2021). This allows the learner to take advantage of the training tools available for online learning without compromising their work or social life.
Technology now provides tools for getting things done more efficiently. Gone are when people had to write down assignments and hand them to their instructors or professors. This is very similar to how others used notebooks and planners, where they kept track of what they needed to do and when they needed to accomplish specific tasks. There are several ways to learn online. Some people prefer watching videos while others prefer reading text. Regardless of how one chooses to learn, the online platform offers excellent advantages over traditional delivery methods (Abedini et al., 2021). Today, there are apps that usually help adult learners get things done on time.
Part 2: Adult Education Workshop
Several programs have worked for adult learning systems, including edx, Coursera, and others. This is great for individuals who do not have the time or money for traditional college courses. These open access programs provide a better way for adults to learn without the expense. An excellent example of an online class for adult learners is the Microsoft Program offered at Collin College. The course can be accessed at https://www.collin.edu/ce/classes/comp-tech.html.
Microsoft started a program at Collin College’s higher education program where seniors or people not seeking a degree can take classes after work or over the weekend to advance their skills. The target audience for the program is a team of adult learners who do not have time to attend classroom teaching. It works for beginners, intermediates, and experts. Some of the classes include Microsoft Excel to teach people how to work on spreadsheets and balance their accounts. This comes in handy, especially for small business owners who are used to working on ledgers and take their work online to share their accountants’ information.
Once students register to complete this online course, they are expected to create time to meet course requirements. The fee is usually charged per credit hour and according to the number of course units taken. In this program, adult learners are taught by qualified and experienced instructors.
Collin College’s higher Education program also offers students the opportunity to select classes in areas of interest. This program has helped working adults get what they need for their career better than traditional colleges where people are forced to sit in a classroom doing what they are told or paying up to around one thousand dollars a course. There are two key ways to learn in this course. First, there is the way where the learner is given a guide or a set of instructions to follow through on each course of action. The second way is to provide students with some freedom and flexibility with what they learn and how they learn it. This allows the Adult Learner to have some creative control over what they learn while learning at their own pace and unique. Of course, both learning environments have their pros and cons, but both provide different learning experiences for students.
References
Abedini, A., Abedin, B., & Zowghi, D. (2021). Adult learning and online communities of practice: A systematic review. The British Journal of Educational Technology, 52(4), 1663-1694.
Kapur, S. (2015). Understanding the characteristics of adult learner. Jamia Journal of Education, 2(1), 111-129.
Kapur, R. (2019). Facilitating the development of adult learning. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335527782_Facilitating_the_Development_of_Adult_Learning
Loeng, S. (2020). Self-directed learning: a core concept in adult education. Education Research International, 3816132. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3816132
Yusuf, M. (2021). Adult learning principles a strategy for improving instructional delivery in higher institutions of learning in Nigeria. Asian Journal for Education and Social Studies, 15(1), 38-45. doi: 10.9734/AJESS/2021/v15i130369.