Instructing the Adult LearnerInstructing the Adult Learner

Mass Youth Soccer Mass Youth Soccer

Annual Instructional Staff Annual Instructional Staff WorkshopWorkshop

Mike SingletonMike Singleton

December 6, 2003December 6, 2003

DiversityDiversity There is no other “age” where the There is no other “age” where the

learner is more diverse in regard to:learner is more diverse in regard to:

AgeAge Educational backgroundEducational background PersonalityPersonality Personal goals / reasons to attend Personal goals / reasons to attend

educationeducation Cultural backgroundCultural background

6 Principles of Adult Learning6 Principles of Adult Learning Goal orientation Goal orientation Self direction Self direction Social learners/ problem solversSocial learners/ problem solvers Life experiencesLife experiences RelevancyRelevancy Respect Respect

Adults are Goal OrientedAdults are Goal Oriented

Adults know what they want!Adults know what they want!

You must explain how this class You must explain how this class helps them attain their goals.helps them attain their goals.

Goal identification needs to take Goal identification needs to take place early in the course.place early in the course.

Adults are Self-DirectedAdults are Self-Directed

It is important to get participant’s It is important to get participant’s perspective about topics to be covered.perspective about topics to be covered.

Participants should assume responsibility Participants should assume responsibility for presentations and group leadership.for presentations and group leadership.

Participants must be shown how the class Participants must be shown how the class can help them reach their goals.can help them reach their goals.

Adults are Social LearnersAdults are Social Learners

Want help from peers as well as Want help from peers as well as instructors.instructors.

Vary the method of instruction:Vary the method of instruction: Problem solving examplesProblem solving examples Attention spanAttention span

Build Upon Accumulated ExperiencesBuild Upon Accumulated Experiences

Adults need to associate new Adults need to associate new learning to this knowledge / learning to this knowledge / experience.experience.

Instructors need to draw out Instructors need to draw out participant’s experience that is participant’s experience that is relevant to the topic.relevant to the topic.

Adults are Relevancy - OrientedAdults are Relevancy - Oriented

Adults must see a practical reason Adults must see a practical reason for learning anything.for learning anything.

Learning has to be applicable to their Learning has to be applicable to their immediate situation.immediate situation.

They like to know how this will be They like to know how this will be useful.useful.

Adults Need To Be Shown RespectAdults Need To Be Shown Respect

The power disparity between the The power disparity between the student and the instructor needs to student and the instructor needs to be acknowledged.be acknowledged.

Acknowledge their demanding lives.Acknowledge their demanding lives.

Three Critical Elements for Three Critical Elements for Effective InstructionEffective Instruction

MotivationMotivation

RetentionRetention

TransferenceTransference

MotivationMotivation Motivation is desire to changeMotivation is desire to change Motivation arises from dissatisfactionMotivation arises from dissatisfaction Attitude stair stepsAttitude stair steps

awarenessawareness understandingunderstanding concernconcern dissatisfactiondissatisfaction

Motivation gapMotivation gap

MotivationMotivation

All efforts will be in vain if:All efforts will be in vain if:

students do not see a needstudents do not see a need

students are intimidated students are intimidated

MotivationMotivation We keep the “gap” manageable We keep the “gap” manageable

through:through:

Feedback - how am I doing?Feedback - how am I doing? Rewards – benefits of instructionRewards – benefits of instruction Interest – directly related to Interest – directly related to

benefitsbenefits

RetentionRetention

Original learning = engagementOriginal learning = engagement KASH FormulaKASH Formula

KnowledgeKnowledge AttitudeAttitude SkillsSkills HabitsHabits

TransferenceTransference

Association – build on something Association – build on something they already know.they already know.

Original learning – if original learning Original learning – if original learning is high then…is high then…

Knowing a Little More About Knowing a Little More About Adults…Adults…

What can we do to improve our What can we do to improve our courses and training?courses and training?

What if a Conflict Develops?What if a Conflict Develops?

What actions should we avoid doing?What actions should we avoid doing?…prevent throwing gas on the fire…prevent throwing gas on the fire

What are tricks to neutralizing the What are tricks to neutralizing the conflict?conflict?

Conflict Management ErrorsConflict Management Errors Insensitive languageInsensitive language Raised voiceRaised voice Demeaning termsDemeaning terms Dictating AnswersDictating Answers Challenging othersChallenging others Blaming remarksBlaming remarks

DO NOT INVITE MORE CONFLICT WITH YOUR DO NOT INVITE MORE CONFLICT WITH YOUR ACTIONSACTIONS

Recognizing and Solving ConflictRecognizing and Solving Conflict

Recognize your own emotional Recognize your own emotional reactions, both verbal and non-verbalreactions, both verbal and non-verbal

Substitute your negative behavior with Substitute your negative behavior with more neutral behaviorsmore neutral behaviors

Separate the person from the problemSeparate the person from the problem Focus on the facts, respect the personFocus on the facts, respect the person Look for points of similarityLook for points of similarity

Conflict Management ProsConflict Management Pros

Allow others to dispel their negative Allow others to dispel their negative emotion, do not stunt thememotion, do not stunt them

Make eye contact, nod, ask clarifying Make eye contact, nod, ask clarifying questionsquestions

Restate their position to show you Restate their position to show you have listened and understandhave listened and understand

Ask guided questionsAsk guided questions Ask open-ended questionsAsk open-ended questions

ConclusionConclusion

End everything with a show of End everything with a show of appreciationappreciation

Appreciate the resolution Appreciate the resolution