CAE 323 Adult Teaching Practice

1. CAE 323 Adult Teaching Practice Nancy Thao Professor Crosby 5/13/2013

2. Key Lessons learned on teaching adults • “After all, people attracted to an educational activity are generally lured by the “things” they hope to learn” -Galbraith, pg. 425 of Adult Learning Methods • Example: My mom, her desire to fervently learn, and being lured by the things that she hopes to learn • Meeting the needs of learners is just as important as meeting the bar in the realm of academics. • Understanding your students is priority • Why? Because once you know your students, you will know how to effectively communicate and teach. • Demonstrations are not only for children! Adults enjoy creativity, exploration, opportunity, and food!  • Teaching adults requires a sense of humility. As we come face to face with these adults, we never want to impose our knowledge but become stewards in sharing what we know.

3. Areas of personal growth as an adult educator #1 • Dean lists a few characteristics that make up a good adult educator (pg. 96-97). One that struck home was that, as an adult educator, I can believe in my students that they are capable to change and learn. • There is something so special in believing in someone and letting them know that you do. Would you agree? “What are your thoughts about this statement?”

4. Areas of personal growth as an adult educator #2 • It’s okay to focus on myself. Most teachers do not want to concentrate on themselves, but I’ve come to learn that the teaching-learning transaction takes two; teacher and learner. In order to help students succeed, I not only need to be aware of their needs, but also my own needs as an educator. It’s about working WITH your students, not ahead of them.

5. Areas of personal growth as an adult educator # 3 • Critical thinking is not just about changing the way our minds think, but it “involves adults in recognizingand researching the assumptions that undergird their thoughts and actions” (pg. 341). I want to help learners become aware of their thinking and challenge themselves to recognize on their own.

6. Self-identified areas of weakness • When I imagine my class, I picture how perfectly everything will go. I see students coming in, sitting down, and waiting for my instruction. But what I don’t see is that each student is different and unique. Galbraith states, “However, the challenge is far greater now because we have come to appreciate how culturally diverse adults in society are and how perspectives, experiences, and ways of understanding vary” (pg. 141). • “Educators need first to acknowledge they are teachers of people…that learning opportunities are not limited to what teachers provide” (pg. 425). I am very task-oriented. My hope to is not allow this to become my focus, but using it in a way that will coincide with my learners as people. Don’t get rid of the things you’re weak in, but work with it. Play the cards that you have been given!

7. Areas of interest • I am interested in starting an English Class at my church for the Alliance Women’s Ministry Group. They are a group of passionate and devout ladies. Many of them don’t speak English but it would be really neat to use what I’ve learned from my time here as a CCAE student and put it into practice! • I would like to teach English overseas and possibly partner with an organization in preparing college students to do work in the field of education, mission work, and service.

8. Areas of interest • I love working with kids! I hope to teach a Sunday School class and possibly use what I’ve learned in Cross-Cultural Storytelling as a form of teaching young children how they could minister in their home, schools, or wherever life takes them.

9. Thanks for your time!