Assignment at Hand

Choose a prior adult learning

experience that you have
participated in as an adult
learner to analyze and critique.
Provide a description of the
learning experience and identify
the teaching methods that were
utilized.

Walk of Life
As an adult learner, I have experienced
several different types of learning and
teaching methods at work, college, and
currently in university.
My prior adult learning experience was a
psychology class which I took last semester
in preparation for university. This course
was my first adult learning experience
since I earned my college diploma in 2005.

Learning Experience
Learning is relatively permanent change in an
individuals behavior and cognitive process which
occurs as a result of experience (Wentland, 2009,
p.30).
Learning experience encompasses change in skills,
behavior, knowledge, and attitudes. Adult learners
need to recognize the level of motivation and
engagement in the learning process as well as how
the learning process is applicable to their knowledge.
As an adult learner, we each bring different learning
experiences, preconceived thoughts, and feelings
that will be influenced by each of these factors.
Assessing the level of these traits and the readiness
to learn should be included each time a teaching
experience is being planned (Russell, 2006, p.2).

Teaching Methodologies Utilized

In this course, Principle of Psychology,
the instructor utilized direct instruction
methodologies along with individual and
group learning.

Direct Instruction
For centuries, direct instruction
methodologies have been used in adult
education based on Siegfried
Engelmanns theory of instruction and
learning theories of behaviourism and
developmentalism. It is the most
common and traditional form of
teaching.

We
Say

I
Say

You
Say

Teachers role:

Provide face-to-face instruction

Introduce new concepts,
lectures and notes
Cover key concepts and
questions
Assign various class activities
Provide one-on-one interaction
as needed
Review material
Evaluate student performance
Provide immediate feedback

Individual Learning
Individual learning relies on building knowledge
through individual reflection and personal
elaboration of experience. The responsibility is
placed solely on an individual to apply concepts.
I experienced the following individual learning:

Essays
Research Projects
Homework
Studying & Memorizing

Group Learning
In group work the information and knowledge is
shared among the participants. Students learn
from their peers and develop strong social skills
and the ability to organize their thoughts. They
also build rational discussion strategies and
sharing techniques. Many instructors used
think, pair and share method to engage their
students in the learning process. I worked in a
group to accomplish group projects and
assignments.

Were the Teaching Methodologies

Effective?
The teaching methodologies used in the
Principle of Psychology course were
not effective. When the instructor used
a teacher-direct method the role of the
students became passive. There was
no opportunity for the students to
practice their acquired knowledge.
Most of the students lost interest and
stopped attending class. In my opinion,
the approach restricted the students
critical thinking abilities and skills.

Did they meet your needs?

The instructor was a novice in adult
education and had no prior teaching
experience. This factor caused him to deliver
the content of the course in an inefficient
manner.

Lectures were too long

Chapters were not summarized
Too much needless information was provided
Examples given were not relevant to the topic
No feedback was provided
Knowledge was not applied in variety of ways

Therefore, the course delivery did not meet

my needs and expectations.

Suggestion for Improvement

Part of being an effective instructor involves
understanding how adults learn best. Theories of adult
education are based on valuing the prior learning and
experience of adults. Adult learners have different
learning styles which must be assessed prior to initiating
any educational session. The providers can maximize
teaching moments by incorporating specific adultlearning principles and learning styles into their teaching
strategies (Russell, 2006, p.1).
The following suggestions should be implemented in
order to assure the success of this course:

Incorporate debates and discussions

Summarize the lecture material
Encourage students to participate
Add problem solving scenarios
Review material
Offer more frequent quizzes and tests

Conclusion
Adult learning can be very successful if
the instructor combines visual, auditory, and
kinesthetic in their teaching strategies. To
provide efficient teaching methods and
determine appropriate material, students
learning styles should be assessed.
Ultimately, adults learn best when they
participate in active learning. Active learning
results in better longer-term recall, synthesis,
and problem-solving skills than learning with
verbal instruction only (Russell, 2006, p.5).
Active rather than passive should be the
instructional approach taken.

Work Cited
Berezowski, K., Clark, T., Cochlin, S. Kargut, S., Kindrachuk, L.(2004-2006). Instructional
Strategies Online. Retrieved March 23, 2014, from
http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/DE/PD/instr/direct.html
Direct instruction. Worksheet Library. Retrieved March 24, 2014, from
http://www.worksheetlibrary.com/teachingtips/directinstruction.html
McVittie, J. (n.d.).Teaching
(n.d.).Teaching Methods Direct Instruction. Retrieved March 25, 2014, from
http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/mcvittiej/methods/direct.html
Russell, S. S. (2006). An Overview of Adult Learning Processes.
Processes. Retrieved March 28, 2014,
from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/547417_5
Video Clip10.1 Direct Instruction Methodologies.
Methodologies. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtNKYWvyGtE&feature=youtu.be
Video Clip10.2 Individual Learning Methologies.
Methologies. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGDxJO0aE84&feature=youtu.be\
Video Clip10.3 Group Learning Methologies.
Methologies. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji6DihXvZVk&feature=youtu.be
Wentland, D. (2009). Learning Theories.
Theories. Organizational Performance in a Nutshell.