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Reaching Adult Learners

By Kathy Maxwell posted 02-04-2013 12:33

  
Adult learners are fun to teach. They bring a whole different dynamic to the classroom, but effective instructors know that they may need a broader set of learning tools and strategies to meet the needs of their adult students.

Characteristics of Adult Learners
  • They are motivated to learn.
  • They are busy people and don't like wasted time.
  • They may be paying for the training out of their own pocket, so their expectations are high.
  • They bring real-world experience to the classroom.
  • They may not have been in a formal learning setting for some time.
  • They have a variety of learning styles, personal preferences, values and opinions.
  • They have had good and bad educational experiences that will affect how they view your class.
  • They are usually self-directed.
  • They are results-oriented.
  • They are more interested in training that relates or applies to their personal needs.
  • They may be fearful of traditional testing methods.

Adult learners prefer learner-centered to instructor-centered instruction. The learner-centered model involves students in the learning process by using strategies geared towards their learning styles, needs and abilities. The instructor then takes on more of a guide or facilitator role. Rather than the one-way transfer of knowledge common to the instructor-centered design (only about 10% of people learn well using a lecture method), students participating in the learner-centered approach learn through a wider variety of experiences and have more control over their learning. Who doesn't want their students to be successful? Design your content, teaching methods and assessment tools to take advantage of the learning styles and abilities of your students, and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how effective a learner-centered model can be.

Check out future blogs for strategies and activities to use with a learner-centered model.






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