PRINCIPLES OF ADULT
LEARNING
What Do Adults Need for Effective Learning?
OBJECTIVES



Describe the differences between learning styles of the
adult & child.
Identify the essential characteristics and
requirements of effective adult learning.
Be prepared to apply this information in planning &
evaluating an effective learning session for medical
students.
WHAT IS ADULT LEARNING?

Adults learn differently than children
Pedagogy describes the system through which
children learn.
o Andragogy describes the system through which
adults learn.
o

Medical students combine both systems
the learning expectations of an adult,
o learning skills developed in childhood.
o
PEDAGOGY
o
o
o
o
teacher-centered
learner is dependent on teacher
prior knowledge is limited
teacher defines task & goals
ANDRAGOGY
learner-centered
o learners independent & self-motivated
o extensive prior knowledge is available
o task & goals are defined mutually to
address learner needs and interests
o learners self-assess
o
ANDRAGOGY: BACKGROUND


Adult learning principles, known as Andragogy, were
coined by Knapp (1833) & formally specified by
Knowles (1980).
Andragogy describes learning in terms of:
o
o

the behaviors and expectations of adults,
the requirements for effective learning by adults.
Andragogic teaching methods focus on:







intellectual freedom, creativity & experimentation,
adult learners as peers & partners with the teacher,
personal responsibility for learning,
cooperative design of learning programs,
challenging learners to increase their skill in small steps,
active engagement in the learning process,
regular feedback & corresponding adjustment to the process.
BEHAVIORS AND EXPECTATIONS OF
ADULTS
Adults want to learn in order to address a
perceived need/solve a problem.
 Adults prefer to guide & organize their own
learning.
 Adults immediately want to apply what they
learn.
 Adults want prompt & useful feedback.

REQUIREMENTS FOR EFFECTIVE
LEARNING BY ADULTS
Safe, non-threatening learning environment
 Clear statement of objectives, requirements ,
expectations
 Stimulation of active attention
 Opportunity for practice
 Relevance of topic or task
 Self-management of learning

REQUIREMENTS FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING BY
ADULTS
Organization of process & activities to support
learning
 Reinforcement/recognition of accomplishment
 Constructive suggestions for improvement
 Engagement of prior learning
 Topics or tasks are relevant to learner goals
 Extension of learning to other areas, topics

ANDRAGOGY


“An emerging technology for adult learning”
(Knowles, 1970)
Assumes that adults:
move naturally from dependency to self-direction,
 draw on prior experience to support new learning,
 want to learn when they take on new roles,
 are motivated to apply new learning or skills
immediately.

HOW DO I PLAN & EVALUATE AN
EFFECTIVE LEARNING SESSION?
An effective educator of adults will:
recognize that adults may be used to
learning pedagogically -- but want &
need to move toward andragogic
learning,
generate a safe & cooperative
environment,
diagnose learner needs & interests,
engage learners in the planning &
evaluation process.

MORE STEPS TO AN EFFECTIVE LEARNING
SESSION
Create relevant objectives consistent with
identified needs & interests.
 Design a sequence of activities to support
accomplishment of the objectives.
 Vary the methods, resources, etc.
 Request & apply feedback from learners.*
 Continually search for methods to improve the
process & outcomes.*
 Evaluate & adjust the process.*

*Iterative steps
REVIEW
1.
The system of learning most characteristic of medical
students is:
a)
b)
c)
2.
Andragogy
Pedagogy
A combination of Andragogy & Pedagogy
An effective learning session requires:
a)
b)
c)
A relevant topic with all objectives supplied by the students.
Participation by the learners in the planning process.
Use of a single, focused teaching method.
REVIEW
3. A characteristic of adult learners is:
a)
b)
c)
Adults want to organize their own learning in order to address
a perceived need or solve a problem.
Adults will use new information only after receiving enough
feedback to be certain they know how to apply their learning.
Adults prefer to be guided in the learning process & to have the
instructor create all of the learning objectives.
4. Evaluating a learning session for adults
requires:
a)
b)
c)
giving a written or online exam,
requesting & applying learner feedback,
using the same teaching method consistently.