General Characteristics of Adult Learners

1. General Characteristics of Adult Learners Excerpt from Planning instruction for Adult Learners, 2nd Edition by Patricia Cranton Pages 27 - 28

2. Adults become involved in a learning situation by choice Because they have chosen: student has clear, specific goals Improve job skills Get a raise New job Expect instruction to be relevant

3. Adults have concrete, immediate goals. Learn specific skill Get questions addressed Little patience for the instructor’s idea of important

4. Desire to learn quickly Will be reluctant to get involved in activities not clearly applicable to their goals. Have busy lives and don’t want to waste time on things

5. Bring life Experience Best learning happens when you relate the learning to their experiences. Consider both work experience and everyday experience

6. Past experience becomes increasingly important in either helping or hindering the learning process as age increases. make connections with that experience

7. Adults with a positive self-concept will find learning easier. school setting can seem threatening may have a bad past experience with school create a supportive and understanding environment

8. Self-directed Learners do not want to be treated like a child or told what to do have goals and want to find ways of doing things that is relevant to them have set preferences for working alone or in groups know how they want to learn (by listening, reading, or doing)

9. May show signs of Dependency for some it has been many years since being in school and they may be anxious and uncomfortable. for this group, self-directed learning will only increase anxiety and uncomfort. as instructor work towards gradually fostering independence and self-direction

10. Transform Knowledge instead of Form New Knowledge Expand on base of knowledge Help them to use in different circumstances Requires energy, time, trust, and openness

11. Adults are reluctant to change their values, opinions, or behaviors.

12. Unique Physical Requirements More light More breaks to stretch Comfortable chairs Larger print or visual aides Louder volume May need more time for physical tasks`

13. Self Directed Learning In self-directed learning (SDL), the individual takes the initiative and the responsibility for what occurs. Individuals select, manage, and assess their own learning activities, which can be pursued at any time, in any place, through any means, at any age. In schools, teachers can work toward SDL a stage at a time. * * By: Maurice Gibbons http://www.selfdirectedlearning.com/

14. Spectrum of SDL • Incidental Self-Directed Learning.The occasional introduction of SDL activities into courses or programs that are otherwise teacher-directed (e.g. individual projects). • Teaching Students to Think Independently.Courses or programs that emphasize the personal pursuit of meaning through exploration, inquiry, problem solving and creative activity (e.g. debates or case studies). • Self-Managed Learning.Courses or programs presented through learning guides that students complete independently. • Self-Planned Learning.Courses or programs in which students pursue course outcomes through activities they design themselves. • Self-Directed Learning.Courses or programs in which students choose the outcomes, design their own activities and pursue them in their own way. By: Maurice Gibbons http://www.selfdirectedlearning.com/