ADULT LEARNERS DEVELOPING THE WORLD’S CURRENT AND FUTURE LEADERS Group 3 Caitlyn CoferKacey DannerChristy DinkinsJacquelyn Dogan

DefinitionMotivationTeachingChallenges

What is an adult learner? According to the American Council on Education, “adult learners are typically defined as learners over the age of 25, and are often referred to as nontraditional students.”

WHAT’S DIFFERENT? ADULT versus TRADITIONAL Motivation Teaching Methods Challenges

Adult Learning Theory Piaget and the Foundational Model emphasized qualitative over quantitative developmental change in cognition, attaching importance to the active role of the person in constructing knowledge and identifying a conception of mature adult thought Perry each stage is hierarchical and sequential, moving from simple to complex ways of recognizing and assessing knowledge King and Kitchner’s Reflective Judgment Model reflective thinking develops during late adolescence and further increases in adulthood ANDRAGOGY (Knowles, 1977)

Andragogy Meaning the "arts and science" of adult learning Places emphasis on the adult learner and not on the instructor The challenge for the adult learner is to connect life experiences in a learning environment Adults need to see the relevancy of the educational material, while instructors need to help adult learners identify their objectives

Motivation Intrinsic Accomplishment Extrinsic Career Advancement Increased SalaryCareer Change

Motivation Why are adult learners pursuing higher education?  Emphasis on formal education  Higher levels of academic and technical knowledge required  Skills and credentials rewarded  Post-secondary education required for growing job opportunities

Teaching Methods How do they learn best?

 Lectures & Assignments  Class participation  Opportunities for questions  Problem solving and discussion-based  Conducting research  Demonstrations  Visual aids  Reasoning and proof

Group Work Small group work Practice learned skills Share skill sets and values Dialogue Discussion aids interpretation

 Respect as adults  Acknowledgement of “rusty” classroom skills  Reassurance  Be efficient and effective with time  Be “strictly flexible” Boardroom to the Classroom

Challenges What are challenges, fears, and concerns of adult learners and how do they cope?

Fears and Concerns: Managing Finances Gaining confidence in school work Communicating with faculty Balancing family, job and education

Coping with Challenges Managing Anxiety: Attend orientation program Develop support system Incorporate new status as “student” into family life Take reasonable course load Don’t be afraid to ask for help

END RESULTS

References & Resources Fears, concerns, & challenges for adult students. (2013). Retrieved from Goddu, K. (n.d.). Meeting the challenge: Teaching strategies for adult learners. (2012). Kappa Delta Pi Record, 48(4), Kazis, R., Callahan, A., Davidson, C., McLeod, A., Bosworth, B., Choitz, V., & Hoops, J. (2007). Adult Learners in Higher Education: Barriers to Success and Strategies to Improve Results. Employment and Training Administration. Occasional Paper Jobs for the Future. Doherty, Brooks. (2012, January 25). Tips for Teaching Adult Students. Faculty Focus. Retrieved from adult-students/ adult-students/ Wanjohi, A.M. (2012, January 31). Teaching and Learning Methods for Adult Learners. Kenpro Hubpages. Retrieved from Learning-Methods-for-Adult-Leaarnershttp:// Learning-Methods-for-Adult-Leaarners Google images