In Preparation for Delivering a Bible Information Course Teaching Adults In Preparation for Delivering a Bible Information Course By Professor Michael Quant, WLS For The Asian Ministerial Training Program1 "He who dares to teach must never cease to learn." - Richard Henry Dann

“Hey pal … I want you to know I’m not going to buy into this stuff just because you’re a pastor.” How would you answer this new adult student? Before we receive some of your answers … what might put you “on the defensive”? … Explain why Introduction

The Adult Learner

Objectives for this session Analyze adult learners by examining the society we live in and the unique qualities adults bring to the learning table. Apply some of our analysis to our future teaching / learning opportunities. Objectives for this session

Analyze Adult Learners Objective One

Analyze Adult Learners 1. Cultural and societal shifts that influence the adult perspective: Moral relativism Religious Pluralism Fractured Society Emotion replaces reason Analyze Adult Learners

Cultural & Societal Shifts Any implications for your teaching ministry in a mission-minded congregation? Cultural & Societal Shifts

Analyze Adult Learners 2. Dramatic shifts in demographics: Under 20 … 80.1 million 20-44 … 104.4 million 45-64 … 61.5 million 65+ … 34.9 million 71.1% are over 21 years old 14.7% are over 62 years old Analyze Adult Learners

Analyze Adult Learners 2. Dramatic shifts in demographics: “The Graying of America” “The Graying of America” “The Graying of America” A government report shows that by 2030 nearly one in five Americans — or 72 million people — will be over 65. The Boomers are starting to retire. Americans, are living longer. Life expectancy for men was 74.1 years in 2000, up from 68.2 years in 1950. Among women, life expectancy was 79.5 years in 2000, up from 71.1 in 1950. Analyze Adult Learners

The Hallmark Card company has caught on to the tidal wave. One must take into consideration the “graying of America” as well as the immigration tidal wave! One must take into consideration the “graying of America” as well as the immigration tidal wave! The Hallmark Card company has caught on to the tidal wave. Shift in Demographics

One must take into consideration the “graying of America” as well as the immigration tidal wave! One out of five households in the U.S. speak a language other than English Shift in Demographics

One out of ten people living in America were foreign born. One must take into consideration the “graying of America” as well as the immigration tidal wave! One must take into consideration the “graying of America” as well as the immigration tidal wave! One out of ten people living in America were foreign born. Shift in Demographics

Dramatic Demographic Shifts Any implications for your teaching ministry in a mission-minded congregation? Dramatic Demographic Shifts

Analyze Adult Learners How well do you understand your adults? As you look at the following images, write down the first impression of an adult learner as portrayed by the picture. Analyze Adult Learners

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How well do you understand your adult learners? 1 -- Community bent 2 -- Fearful / cornered 3 -- Capable 4 -- Baggage 5 -- Multi-cultural 6 -- Stressed Images 1-6

So how would you characterize your average adult learner? Analyze Adult Learners

Analyze Adult Learners Any implications for your teaching ministry in a mission-minded congregation? Analyze Adult Learners

Qualities of an Adult Learner Life Task How well do you know yourself? Quickly list 4 things that make you different as a “learner” now than when you were a learner in elementary school. Qualities of an Adult Learner

Qualities of an Adult Learner VAC & SETPI Qualities of an Adult Learner

Qualities of an Adult Learner Adults are Visual 75 – 84 % learn visually 7 billion bits per second (eye) vs. 10,000 bits per second (ear) Is it time we retire the back-handed jokes / slights about “pictures in books”? VAC Qualities of an Adult Learner

Qualities of an Adult Learner Adults are Active “I’d rather do it myself than listen to you” The brain can only learn as much as the butt can endure (approx. 77 minutes) Attention Span ??? VAC Qualities of an Adult Learner

Qualities of an Adult Learner Adults are Creative Closely related to their desire to be active in their learning. Why is it stifled? Up to age six, we use 90% of our creativity; from age 6, drops until only 10% used. Why do we shelve it? VAC Qualities of an Adult Learner

Qualities of an Adult Learner Adults are SETPI Self-directed Experienced Task Oriented Problem solving Immediate Application Qualities of an Adult Learner

Jane Vella’s twelve principles of adult learning … Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

Key Concept: dialogue Vella's "Dirty Dozen" “The approach to adult learning based on these principles holds that adults have enough life experience to be in dialogue with any teacher, about any subject, and will learn new knowledge or attitudes or skills best in relation to that life experience (Knowles, 1970). All twelve principles are ways to begin and maintain and nurture the dialogue: “The approach to adult learning based on these principles holds that adults have enough life experience to be in dialogue with any teacher, about any subject, and will learn new knowledge or attitudes or skills best in relation to that life experience (Knowles, 1970). All twelve principles are ways to begin and maintain and nurture the dialogue: Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#1 – Needs Assessment Vella's "Dirty Dozen" Allow adult learners to participate in naming what is to be learned. This means that we include both “core” Bible lessons that every Christian wants to know. We also include lessons that answer the specific questions that our students want to know. How will we know what their questions are? Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#2 – Safety Vella's "Dirty Dozen" Create a sense of safety and trust both in the environment and in the process This “means the design of the learning tasks, the atmosphere of the room and the design of the materials convey this experience will work for them.” “Safety does not obliterate the natural challenge of learning new concepts, skills or attitudes.” Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#3 – Sound Relationship Vella's "Dirty Dozen" Create a sound relationship between the teacher and the learner for effective learning and development “The initial meeting between teacher and learner has to demonstrate the sense of inquiry and curiosity felt by the teacher!” “The initial meeting between teacher and learner has to demonstrate the sense of inquiry and curiosity felt by the teacher!” Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#3 – Sound Relationship Vella's "Dirty Dozen" Create a sound relationship between the teacher and the learner for effective learning and development respect, safety, open communication, listening and humility Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#4 – Sequence Pay careful attention to the sequence of content and reinforcement. For teachers of BIC lessons, this means we keep reviewing GRACE throughout all lessons. What else does “sequence” mean to BIC teachers? Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#5 – Praxis Vella's "Dirty Dozen" Plan time for adult learners to cultivate action with reflection, or learning by doing Practice the new skills and attitudes, and then reflect on what they have just done. Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#6 – RESPECT Vella's "Dirty Dozen" Plan time for adult learners to cultivate action with reflection, or learning by doing Practice the new skills and attitudes, and then reflect on what they have just done. Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#7 – Interplay of 3 Domains Be aware of the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor aspects of learning: ideas, feelings, actions Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#8 – IMMEDIACY Vella's "Dirty Dozen" Immediate and practical transfer of learning to the adult’s life and work. Adult learners need to see the immediate usefulness of new learning: the skills, knowledge, or attitudes they are working to acquire. Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#9 – Clear Roles Vella's "Dirty Dozen" Be clear on roles and role development “Only the student can name the moment of the death of the professor.” “That is, a teacher can be intent upon a dialogue with an adult learner, but if the learner sees the teacher as “the professor” with whom there is no disagreement, no questioning, no challenge, the dialogue is dead in the water.” Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#10 – Teamwork Vella's "Dirty Dozen" Use small groups effectively and focused on the learning task. Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#11 – Engagement Vella's "Dirty Dozen" The importance of engaging the learners in what they are learning. Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

#12 – Accountability How do they know they know? Vella's "Dirty Dozen"

Life Task … Vella's "Dirty Dozen" Answer the following questions: 1. Why does the presenter of the Bible class typically benefit far more than those who attend the class? … Work together and list at least five reasons why it is true. 2. What are the implications of that fact for what we want happening with our adults during Bible study? Vella's "Dirty Dozen"