Adult Learning

Adults going back to school after a long absence will discover that there are different learning challenges to overcome. In fact, part of adult learning theories stem from the idea that older people will have special needs in order to learn subject material more effectively. There are several characteristics of adult learners you should know.

Adults who have a solid foundation of knowledge and life experiences need to draw their new learning experiences from their current base of knowledge. In addition, adult learning should allow for autonomy and self-direction so teachers must serve as facilitators to allow for this learning direction. Adults like goals and will seek classes of higher learning in order to attain those goals. Practicality and relevancy should be a focus on any curriculum prepared for adults.

Motivation is an important part of adult learning and should be considered when creating curriculum as a teacher or choosing a class as the student. First of all, some adults take classes just for the sake of learning something new so they need something to spark the interest. In addition, the class offers them an escape from the same routine at home or at work and offers a sparkling contrast.

Some people take part in adult learning in order to improve themselves or garner the skills to volunteer and work on a good cause. Of course, providing an outlet for socialization is also a motivating factor of learning as an adult. Some of the same motivating factors that encourage learning in adults also can present a hindrance as well.

Adult learning can also be hampered by the rigors of every day life of an adult like juggling work schedules and daycare or transporting the kids from one event or lesson to another. No money and no time are two major barriers to continuing education in adults as well as low confidence and self-doubt. This learning in adults is a fairly new study phenomenon so the jury is still out as to how it will stack up against other forms of learning.