Eliette Barrios

For educators teaching adults, an essential task is facilitating learning by respecting the learners' autonomy, drawing upon their experiences, and connecting new knowledge to their existing knowledge base. This involves creating a collaborative learning environment, using practical, real-world applications to make learning relevant, and employing diverse teaching strategies that accommodate different learning styles and intelligences. Educators should also provide opportunities for self-directed learning and critical reflection, enabling adults to take ownership of their learning process and apply new skills and knowledge to their personal and professional lives.

Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences proposes that people have different kinds of bits of intelligence, not just a single general intelligence. Introduced in 1983, Gardner initially identified seven intelligences: linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Later, he added naturalistic and existential intelligence to the list. This theory suggests that traditional IQ tests primarily measure linguistic and logical-mathematical abilities and do not capture the full range of human intelligence. Gardner argues that understanding these different intelligences can help better tailor education and teaching methods to suit individual strengths and abilities.

It's never too late for adult learners to ignite a passion for knowledge! Inspired by Malcolm Knowles' principles of adult education, we encourage you to take control of your learning journey. Engage with material that resonates with your experiences, apply it practically, and learn at your own pace.

The theories reflect the opportunity for instructors to understand how adult learners can process information. I find  it very useful when preparing lesson plans and activities.

Adult learners are individuals with many responsibilities. The learning experience are motivated by big special events in their lives.