Principles of adult

learning

Outline of Lecture
Adult Learning is different
Different Types of Learners
The Learning Methods
Being a good teacher
Maximizing the learning experience

Andragogy
Adults compared to children
Ability to form opinions and judgment
Life experiences
Motivation different

Adult Learning
Different needs; Different approach

Andragogy
the art and science of helping adults learn
learner-focused approach

How are ADULTS different ?

Adults are autonomous and selfdirected
actively involve adult participants in the
learning process
serve as facilitators
get participants' perspectives
allow the participants to assume
responsibility
facilitate to reach their goals

How are ADULTS different ?

Adults have foundation of life experiences
and knowledge
connect learning to this
knowledge/experience base
draw out participants' experience and
knowledge
relate theories and concepts
recognize the value of experience in
learning.

How are ADULTS different ?

Adults are goal-oriented
usually know what goal they want to
attain
appreciate well organized program
with clearly defined elements
must show participants how this class
will help them attain their goals
course objectives must be done early
in the course.

How are ADULTS different ?

Adults are relevancy-oriented
must see a reason for learning something
applicable to their work or other
responsibilities
be of value to them
theories and concepts must be related to a
setting familiar to participants

How are ADULTS different ?

Adults are practical
focusing on aspects most useful to them
may not be interested in knowledge for its
own sake
must tell participants how training will be
useful to them on the job

How are ADULTS different ?

Adults need to be shown respect
must acknowledge the experiences that
adult participants bring to the classroom
should be treated as equals in experience
and knowledge
allowed to voice their opinions freely in
class.

How are ADULTS different ?

Adults have different motivations for
learning

Social relationships
External expectations
Social welfare
Personal advancement
Escape/Stimulation
Cognitive interest

Adults LEARN differently

because
Autonomous and self-directed
Foundation of life experiences and
knowledge
Goal-oriented
Relevancy-oriented
Practical
Need respect
Different motivations

What is the ultimate aim of the

teacher ?

4 critical elements of
teaching
motivation
How we get the best out of our students

reinforcement
How we encourage good qualities

retention
How we ensure our students remember

transference
How we ensure application to the job

10 tips to be a good teacher

Be prepared
Use varied
approaches
Encourage
interactions
Address students
by their name
Use audio-visual
aids

Manage handouts
properly

Check for
understanding

Give feedback

Ask for feedback

Have passion

Starting off well

Introductions
Yourself, some background, and your
credibility
Student introductions (involve students
early)
Remember your students names

Expectations
Course structure and requirements
Describe value and importance of course
Set climate for the course

During the course

Interactions is MOST important
Questions, eliciting responses, providing
feedback
Pushing students to achieve

Passion must be obvious

Nurturing, caring, developing minds and
talent
Devoting time for the student

Style
Entertaining; guiding an orchestra
Humour is useful

How to be interactive in a lecture?

Think Pair Share Strategy
Small problem given to person; share with partner; then
with class

Note Check Strategy

Checking if important points have been noted down
correctly

Question and Answer Strategy

Asking questions

Wrapping it up with a 2-minute summary paper

Student to summarize the most important points of lecture

Key parts in skills training

Demonstration
Must be able to see in its entirety how the
skill is applied and used in a situation

Copy
Students encouraged to copy exactly
Verbalize each individual steps

Practice
Repeated

Practice makes perfect ??

Initial Phase

Learning the
technique

Transitional
Phase

Trying out
alternatives

Maturity Phase

Mastering
technique

Gaining
confidence

Assessing your students

Start with a clean
slate
Get a sense of the
average
Taking breaks
Return to the
beginning
Equal time for each
student
Assess knowledge;
not grammar or

Dont overstress
on mistakes

Provide feedback

Good assessment,
good assignment

Second chances;
after feedback

Questions ?

Summary of Lecture
Adult Learning is different
Different Types of Learners
The Learning Methods
Being a good teacher
Maximizing the learning experience

 THANK YOU