adult learners
teaching adult learners to me is easier than the young. the adult learners do bring in their experiences from life into the classroom and not only helps them but the entire class.
I think 'easier' may not necessarily fit as I see it in my experience, but I can understand the spirit. I very much value the experiences the adult learners bring to the table but an instructor must be cognizant that adult learners consistently want the lesson to relate to their goals, and in my case usually their career goals. The key I found is to keep the course moving forward and help them relate the content.
Jon,
Your last sentence really captures where most adult learners are. They do want the course content to relate to their career goals and help them move closer to those goals in a meaningful way.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In a lot of ways adult learners are easier, however sometimes they have more baggage and have a lot going on outside of class, wives/children/financial concerns all distractions that need to be addressed by the student.
CHRISTOPHER,
This is a good point that needs to be considered as you work with adult students. The more you know about your students the more accurately you can provide support when needed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I totally agree with this but also agree that adult learners can have "baggage" of outside problems or issues.
Joshua Justin,
Yes, they can and this "baggage" needs to be factored in when working with adults. The standards of the course cannot be lowered but provide can be provided that will enable students with baggage to continue in their program and make progress toward their career area.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I definitely try to get the class to open up. Especially in the technology classes, so many people have such varied experiences that can add to the classes content.
I find that adult learners are also quicker to tell you if there goals are not being met.
It seems to me that the adult learners also help to keep the class and other students on course. They have "been around the block" and are there more for career goals than socializing. They do not want to deal with extraneous BS and will tell you so.The dual edge is that in their quest to learn efficiently, they may stifle conversation/discussion
@cburgesspc
Don't we all have baggage and a lot going on outside of class though?
