HOW ADULTS LEARN

101C a r m e n B u t l e r,

M . A . , E d . S

THE HATS WE WEAR

ANDRAGOGY

The study of how adults learn

Founders: Alexander Kapp

Malcom Knowles1830

A Need to KnowHow? When? Where? WHY???

Characteristics That Motivate

Adult Learners

Training Tip

Explain why certain commands, functions, operations are necessary

Avoid explanations like “Because the manual says so” or “That’s just how it is”

FoundationExperiences

Both Positive and Negative

Characteristics That Motivate

Adult Learners

Training Tip

Instruction should be task-oriented rather than require memorization.

Learning activities should correlate to training content

Training Tip

Instruction should take into account the wide range of different backgrounds of learners.

Learning materials and activities should allow for different levels/types of previous experience with computers and other technologies.

Training TipHonor life experiences in the

training session. Encourage discussions and sharing when appropriate

(be mindful of time limits! )

Self-conceptSelf-awarenessSelf-perception

Characteristics That Motivate

Adult Learners

Characteristics that Motivate Adult

Learners

ReadinessIs it relevant to my work and/or life?

Training TipThe learning processes should

be positive and encouraging.Instruction should allow

learners to discover things for themselves and should provide guidance and help when mistakes are made.

Orientation Problem centered rather than

content centered

Characteristics that Motivate

Adult Learners

Training Tip

Training sessions that are lengthy may become overwhelming to adult learners.

Provide frequent breaks Break up long trainings with a “stretch” time or group activity

Training Tip

Activities should be relevant to the tasks at hand while keeping trainees energized (small group discussions, activities that involve moving around)

LEARNING STYLES

V = visualA = auralR = read/writeK = kinesthetic

VISUAL LEARNERS LOOK intently Pictures Color Illustrations of tasks Charts Maps Graphs Picturesque speech

AURAL LEARNERSListen intentlyTone and voice inflection

importantAsk questionsAnswer questionsLove discussionsLove to TALK about what they

have learnedNotes are scant/bulleted

READ/WRITE LEARNERS Love pen and paper Books Libraries and research Notes are neat and often verbatim Appreciate speakers that stay on

topic

KINESTHETIC LEARNERSLearn with all five sensesTactile is most importantActivities, discussions, labsCollections Interactive learning

VARK Learning Styles Assessment

www.vark-learn.com

Characteristics Of Adult Learners

BERT

REFERENCES

Boud, D. et al (1985) Reflection. Turning Experience into Learning, London: Kogan Page.

Brookfield, S.D (1986) Understanding and Facilitating Adult Learning. A comprehensive Analysis of Principles and Effective Practice, Milton Keynes: Open University Pres..

Kidd, J.R. (1978) How Adults Learn (3rd Ed), Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall.

Smith, M.K. (1996; 1999) ‘Andragogy’, The Encyclopaedia of Informal Education, http://www.infed.org/lifelonglearning/b-andra.htm. Last update: May 29, 2012.

http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/future/creating_the_future/crfut_knowles.cfm