Effective Training in Reproductive Health: Course Design and Delivery

Adult Learning Principles and Learning Cycle

Fundamental Principals of Learning Participants have learned when they: Integrate and apply new information Change their perceptions, feelings or values Improve the way they perform old tasks Demonstrate the ability to perform new tasks

How Do People Learn? Through associative process Practicing new attitudes, knowledge and skills Understanding rather than memorizing Increasing retention by repetition When they are motivated

Adult Learning Learning does not end after childhood Adults continue to learn new knowledge and skills throughout their lifetimes Learning is associated with taking on new roles and tasks in communities and in work

Malcolm Knowles, Father of Adult Learning “Facts learned in youth have become insufficient and, in many instances, actually untrue; and skills learned in youth have become outmoded by new technologies.”

Key Elements of Adult Education Adult education is participatory: Learners are actively engaged in learning process Creates opportunities to practice applying new knowledge and skills

Key Elements of Adult Education Adult education is supportive: Safe environment for experimentation and practice with new information and skills Learners receive positive reinforcement such as praise and encouragement Learners receive constructive feedback to help them improve their knowledge and skills

Key Elements of Adult Education Adult education builds on the experience of learners: Builds on and values existing perspectives, knowledge and skills Links new knowledge to real-life contexts

Key Elements of Adult Education Adult education is relevant: New information and skills are relevant to workplaces and communities Opportunities are available to apply knowledge and skills immediately Learners are motivated to learn to fill new tasks and roles

Key Elements of Adult Education Adult education fosters opportunities for self-directed learning: Learners take responsibility for what they want to learn Learners are active participants in the learning process During a course, learners move from dependent to self-directed learners

Adult Learning Cycle: Introduction Adults learn by analyzing and applying new information to their own lives Training is most effective when it is designed with this cycle in mind

Adult Learning Cycle Phase 1 Experiencing Doing Phase 2 Processing Reflecting Phase 4 Applying Taking Action Phase 3 Generalizing Deriving Meaning

Adult Learning Cycle  Phase 1: Learners experience new information  Phase 2: Learners process new information  Phase 3: Learners generalize the experience  Phase 4: Learners apply the experience to actual work or life situations

Experiencing: Panel presentation Processing: Discussion in small groups Application: Action planning Generalizing: Large group brainstorm Learning Cycle Example: Strategies to Reduce Stigma Experienced by People Living with HIV

Adults Learn Best When… They feel valued and respected The learning experience is active and not passive The learning experience fulfills their needs They accept responsibility for their learning Their learning is self-directed and meaningful to them Their learning addresses ideas, feelings and actions

Adults Learn Best When… New material is related to what they know The training environment is conducive to learning Learning is reinforced Learning is applied immediately Learning occurs in small groups The trainer values their contributions

Adult Learning Principles and Learning Cycle