Adult Learner Characteristics:
Adults Tend to Learn Best in a Participatory and
Collaborative Environment
Shirley J. Caruso, M.A. Human Resource Development
Shirley J. Caruso, Copyright 2010
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Adults Tend to Learn Best in a Participatory
and Collaborative Environment
Presentation Agenda:
• Malcolm Knowles and Andragogy
• Characteristics of a Participatory and
Collaborative Learning Environment
• The Pros and Cons of a Participatory and
Collaborative Environment
Shirley J. Caruso, Copyright 2010
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Malcolm Knowles and Andragogy
• Andragogy
– The art and science of how adults learn
– Effective adult learning strategies
Shirley J. Caruso, Copyright 2010
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Malcolm Knowles and Andragogy
• Adult
– Responsible for their own lives
– Arrive at a concept of being
– Self-directed
Shirley J. Caruso, Copyright 2010
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Malcolm Knowles and Andragogy
• Unique characteristics specific to adult
learners
– Six Assumptions underlying Andragogy
– Adults tend to learn best in a
participatory and collaborative learning
environment
Shirley J. Caruso, Copyright 2010
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Malcolm Knowles and Andragogy
Andragogy
The art and science of how
adults learn
Effective adult learning
strategies
Adult
Responsible for their own lives
Arrive at a concept of being
self-directed
Unique characteristics specific to adult learners
Adults tend to learn best in a
Six Assumptions underlying
participatory and collaborative
Andragogy Shirley J. Caruso, Copyright 2010
learning environment
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Back
Revie
Characteristics of a Participatory and
Collaborative Learning Environment
• Facilitators
Adults learnand
bestlearners
when they
takeare
an actively
active
involved
decidingprocess
how and what they
role
in theinlearning
will learn
adult
into groups and
• Organize
Adults thrive
onlearners
active, hands-on,
provide
hands-on
activities
experiential
learning
activities
• Adults
a friendly,
communal
Give anprefer
overview
of group
dynamics with
environment
advice on how to work effectively within
groups
Shirley J. Caruso, Copyright 2010
Back to Review
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Recall your prior knowledge:
What is Constructivism
• Learners develop principles by themselves
• Existing knowledge and experiences of
learners
Shirley J. Caruso, Copyright 2010
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Recall your prior knowledge:
Three Categories of Constructivism
• Individual-knowledge is constructed by
learners
• Social-learning is collaborative
• Contextualism-learning should take place
in genuine environments
Shirley J. Caruso, Copyright 2010
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The Pros and Cons of a Participatory and
Collaborative Learning Environment
Pros:
•Allows learners to acquire insights into
the potential and power of groups
•Strengthens social and communication
skills
•Develops teamwork and leadership
skills
•Allows learners of mixed abilities to
work side by side and draw on individual
strengths to complete a task
Shirley J. Caruso, Copyright 2010
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Back to Review
The Pros and Cons of a Participatory and
Collaborative Learning Environment
Cons:
• Cultural biases toward competition and
individualism that are against collaboration
• There is not enough time to establish trust
and a sense of group security
• Learners may be reluctant to accept their
peers as valid sources of knowledge
• The inability of the facilitator to take an
active role in Shirley
theJ.learning
process
Caruso, Copyright 2010
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Resources
Cannon, M. & Griffith, B. (2007). Effective Groups: Concepts and Skills
to Meet Leadership Challenges. Boston: Pearson Publishing
Knowles, M. S. & Associates. (1984). Andragogy in Action. San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Knowles, M. S. (1989). The making of an adult educator: An
autobiographical journey. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Sheridan, J. "Rethinking Andragogy: The Case for Collaborative
Learning in Continuing Higher Education." Journal of Continuing
Higher Education 37, no. 2 (Spring 1989): 2-6.
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