Going back to the assumption that we have adult learners in our classes, we should be using good practices relating to adult learning theory. Malcolm Knowles, widely known as “grandfather of adult learning theory”, figured out a long time ago that we can’t teach adults the way we teach kids. Here are his basic adult learning theory principles:
- Adults tend to be more independent learners motivated by their internal goals. They need to understand the value and applicability of the learning experience in their job/life.
Adults are self-directed and want to be free to direct themselves in their learning experiences. They want to be involved in the planning and evaluation of the instruction. - Adults are problem-centered rather than content-centered, wanting to know how the information will help them solve a particular problem.
- Adults have life experience and knowledge from which to connect their learning and expect to be treated with respect for their experience and knowledge.
Lieb, Stephen. (1991). Principles of Adult Learning. Retrieved 4/11/10, from http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/adults-2.htm.And as I am typing this I’m thinking……yea right………this doesn’t desribe my students. My students seem to…
- Be incapable of thinking beyond the assignment.
- Want to be told exactly what to do, how to do it and how it will be graded.
- Have difficulty or just plain won’t read the text, the course pages, the assignment requirements or even the discussion questions.
- Have trouble writing coherently and don't take advantage of the writing resources available.
- Be demanding to have tests, assignments and the learning management system “their way” or they raise a fuss.
- Bring up their life experiences but don’t connect any learning or new information to those experiences.
- Unwilling to take responsibility for their own learning.
How can we do this? Stay tuned for another blog post as I don’t want to write a book in this blog entry.
There are different ways to define adult learners. One definition would be "over 18."
ReplyDeleteAnother definition would match the description of students entering adult education programs, which are more closely described by Knowles. The 18 year-old out of high school is still a kid making it into the world of "fend for yourself or sink." I teach high-school kids, and they meet every single characteristic your listed. They have not been taught or led into becoming independent learners.
Then there is the adult who had experienced life without being educated. That person matches Knowles description.
Fact is, most learners I work with as students in high school or in college, and even teachers teaching other kids or adults, do not demonstrate independent learning skills. If I have one goal in every class I teach at all levels, it is to create independent learners, no matter what the topic. The content I teach has become secondary to my goal of encouraging and supporting independent learning.
My long two cents... Leecy