Hey Pam, Adult Learning theory is fascinating, isn't it? Do you find this course to align with the theory? Check out Community of Inquiry theory (Rovai, 2002). I think you will really enjoy it and find it useful in the development of your ISD. Do you find Liberty's instructional style to be similar to U of Phoenix? Looking forward to your ideas and thoughts. Dr Courduff
Hi Pamela You have covered some important elements for the adult learner. The role of the instructor is quite different with adult learners compared to other populations. As a former preschool teacher, I know the dynamic of instruction is somewhat different and has to be modified based on individual and group needs. As you mention, the role as facilitator is well received when he is respectful and provides feedback that is relevant to content. The adult learner is more motivated in their guiding the process of learning. I enjoy adult learners and am eager to actively engaged with them through instruction.
Jo Ann, I enjoy adult learners, as well. In the classroom with adult learners, I find that I benefit as much or more than the students. There are shared experiences that create learning opportunities for us all.
I also find this environment to be one of support where each of us is able to empathize with others in the classroom setting and provide mature feedback and anecdotal evidence to support discussions. I have only had a few experiences as the facilitator where I had to intervene when criticism was borderline abusive rather than constructive.
I think the students also appreciate a facilitator who acts as a peer learner rather than a dominant instructor who rules over the classroom. After all, we each bring assets and skills that can benefit others in these academic settings.
Hi Pamela, I enjoyed viewing your post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on adult learning theory. For a few years, I worked as test-prep instructor for Kaplan, and I had no problem teaching ACT and SAT courses for the high school students. However, when I agreed to teach the college-level test-prep courses for the GRE and GMAT, I had to refine my teaching skills to answer many more “why” questions posed by the students in the sequence of the lessons. I found the work refreshing, however, and I would love to teach online courses on the college level in the future. Tammy Clayton
Tammy, I think most adult learners tend to reflect on the lessons and their own thinking more than adolescent learners. I have both experienced working with high school students and adults. I appreciate the shared experiences of the adult learners, especially those who are having those "a-ha moments." The ability to reflect on past experiences and create a new frame of reference shows me the learner is maturing in their critical thinking.
It is refreshing to be a participant in leading students to that point, whether they are adult or adolescent. I have just experienced it more often with the former.
Hey Pam,
ReplyDeleteAdult Learning theory is fascinating, isn't it? Do you find this course to align with the theory? Check out Community of Inquiry theory (Rovai, 2002). I think you will really enjoy it and find it useful in the development of your ISD.
Do you find Liberty's instructional style to be similar to U of Phoenix?
Looking forward to your ideas and thoughts.
Dr Courduff
Hi Pamela
ReplyDeleteYou have covered some important elements for the adult learner. The role of the instructor is quite different with adult learners compared to other populations. As a former preschool teacher, I know the dynamic of instruction is somewhat different and has to be modified based on individual and group needs. As you mention, the role as facilitator is well received when he is respectful and provides feedback that is relevant to content. The adult learner is more motivated in their guiding the process of learning. I enjoy adult learners and am eager to actively engaged with them through instruction.
Jo Ann,
DeleteI enjoy adult learners, as well. In the classroom with adult learners, I find that I benefit as much or more than the students. There are shared experiences that create learning opportunities for us all.
I also find this environment to be one of support where each of us is able to empathize with others in the classroom setting and provide mature feedback and anecdotal evidence to support discussions. I have only had a few experiences as the facilitator where I had to intervene when criticism was borderline abusive rather than constructive.
I think the students also appreciate a facilitator who acts as a peer learner rather than a dominant instructor who rules over the classroom. After all, we each bring assets and skills that can benefit others in these academic settings.
Hi Pamela,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed viewing your post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on adult learning theory. For a few years, I worked as test-prep instructor for Kaplan, and I had no problem teaching ACT and SAT courses for the high school students. However, when I agreed to teach the college-level test-prep courses for the GRE and GMAT, I had to refine my teaching skills to answer many more “why” questions posed by the students in the sequence of the lessons. I found the work refreshing, however, and I would love to teach online courses on the college level in the future.
Tammy Clayton
Tammy,
DeleteI think most adult learners tend to reflect on the lessons and their own thinking more than adolescent learners. I have both experienced working with high school students and adults. I appreciate the shared experiences of the adult learners, especially those who are having those "a-ha moments." The ability to reflect on past experiences and create a new frame of reference shows me the learner is maturing in their critical thinking.
It is refreshing to be a participant in leading students to that point, whether they are adult or adolescent. I have just experienced it more often with the former.