Let The Good Times Roll! Maggie McGuire Ed.D Master Level Trainer 1032 The Adult Learner

© Maggie McGuire LLC Agenda What’s in our bebop today? Welcome and ……………. Motivating Adult Learners Motivating The Reluctant Learner Dealing With “Sour Notes”

© Maggie McGuire LLC

Characteristics of Adult Learners Have first hand experience Have set habits and strong tastes Have a great deal of pride, but their ways of “showing “it” varies Have tangible things to lose so are very cautious in the educational environment Have preoccupations outside the learning environment May be bewildered by options (sometimes) Have developed group behavior consistent with their needs

© Maggie McGuire LLC Characteristics of Adult learners Have established a rational framework (values, attitudes, etc.) by which they have made a decision Have a strong feelings about the learning environment May have prejudices which are detrimental to the learning environment Have a strong need to apply what is learned and apply it now Want to be competent in their application of knowledge and skill Want a choice in what they learn Like their “creature comfort” in room, furniture, equipment, breaks and refreshments

© Maggie McGuire LLC Common Teaching Strategies for Teaching Adults Lecture Role Playing Small Group Discussion Group Discussions Brainstorming Panel of Experts

© Maggie McGuire LLC Common Teaching Strategies for Teaching Adults Jig Sawing Surveys Guest Speakers Electronic templates Case Studies

© Maggie McGuire LLC Motivating Adult Learners Through Expertise Empathy Enthusiasm Clarity

Brainstorming © Maggie McGuire LLC In four small groups, brainstorm what the word on your chart means. Be prepared to share your ideas………..

© Maggie McGuire LLC Expertise You must have a thorough grasp of the content. You must understand that your adult learner brings a great deal of first hand experiences to your session You must provide concrete examples of how this will benefit your adult learners in their work site or classroom You must be familiar and comfortable with a variety of instructional strategies for delivering your content

© Maggie McGuire LLC Enthusiasm Show you care about your topic Be upbeat in your examples Emotion, energy and animation will sell your workshop!

© Maggie McGuire LLC Empathy Understand your audience and what they expect to learn in your session Adjust your material to meet the needs of your participants Understand that adult learners have many pressures outside of the classroom that sometimes take over their lives Make sure that your sessions have value to your adult learners so that the material presented is relevant and immediately usable in their classrooms

© Maggie McGuire LLC Clarity Deliver your content with confidence Answer questions clearly and simply Have an in-depth knowledge of your subject so you can “think on your feet”!

© Maggie McGuire LLC Break!

© Maggie McGuire LLC Motivating the Reluctant Learner

© Maggie McGuire LLC Reluctant Participants Ask what they expect to get out of the class. Find out what age they work with and make sure you give them direct examples that they can use Call them by name Give them recognition when they participate Give them some responsibility and express appreciation for their efforts.

© Maggie McGuire LLC Low Literacy Rates Use pictures and graphics Provide hands on experiences Ask for volunteers

© Maggie McGuire LLC Motivating the Reluctant Learning ARE YOU A WOOFER OR A MEOW? The trainer says: –Most people with dogs will tell you that when their dog hears thunder, they will begin to whine and be afraid. A cat, on the other hand, will remain quiet and aloof.

Which are you most like when conflict thunders around y o u. T h e w h i m p e r i n g d o g o r t h e a l o o f c a t ? E x p l a i n. © Maggie McGuire LLC

Motivating the Reluctant Learning THE WHOLE WORLD IS A STAGE –We have all heard the phrase: The whole world is a stage”. What movie is playing at your place ? WHO IS THE BAD GUY –If the worst teacher (most unhappy person) at your school came to life as a movie villain, who would it be? Explain.

© Maggie McGuire LLC Motivating the Reluctant Learning CALM DOWN –Have the participants lay their heads on the table, lay on the floor, or get in a comfortable position. Have them reflect on what they have just learned. After about 5 minutes, say a key word or short phrase and have them reflect on it for a couple of minutes. Repeat one or two times then gather the group together and have them discuss what they just reflected on and show how they would use it in their work.

© Maggie McGuire LLC Motivating the Reluctant Learning CHANGE THE WORLD –Give a participant a wand and tell them that the wand gives them magic power. Using the wand, they must give three work related things that they would like to change. Then they pass the wand to the next person and they have to give them a solution for each concern.

© Maggie McGuire LLC Dealing with Sour Notes

© Maggie McGuire LLC Side Conversations Ask them if they have a question? They may simply being explaining the concept to each other. Walk over and stand by them. At break speak with them about the concern. Allow a longer break or set a designated time to provide for social conversations. Several times during the training, regroup your groups.

© Maggie McGuire LLC Distractions and Latecomers Set ground rules at the beginning. How will you handle bathroom breaks, turn off cell phones and pagers, etc? What about people who have their own agenda and ask questions that are not on topic? Redirect them back to the topic at hand. At break, go and speak with them. There are always people who arrive late to a training. Always have a few extra sets of materials available that you can give the latecomers. Tell them that you will visit with them at break to catch them up.

© Maggie McGuire LLC Resources Barsch Learning Style Inventory Characteristics of the Adult Learner Principles of Adult Learning Staff Development: Adult Characteristics Working with Adult Learners