Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
“ Teaching the Adult
Learner: Face to Face and
Online Teaching ”
Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
Welcome
Major Concepts Presented for the
Training Session
1.
Andragogy : Adult Learning Theory
2. Generational Learning Styles
3. Working with the Military Student/ Veterans
4. Teaching Situations - what would you do?
The Outline for the upcoming Programs
Final Comments
Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
Adult Learning Theory: Malcom
Knowles
Malcolm Shepherd Knowles (1913 – 1997) was an
American educator well known for the use of the term
andragogy as synonymous to adult education.
According to Malcolm Knowles, andragogy is the art
and science of adult learning, thus andragogy refers to
any form of adult learning. (Kearsley, 2010).
Andragogy vs. Pedagogy
What is the difference? How does this correlate to the
classroom?
Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
Knowles’ 5 Assumptions Of Adult
Learners
In 1980, Knowles made 5 assumptions about the
characteristics of adult learners (andragogy) that are
different from the assumptions about child learners
(pedagogy).
Self-concept
As a person matures their self concept moves from
one of being a dependent personality toward one of
being a self-directed human being. The orientation
toward learning shifts from one of subjectcenteredness to one of problem centeredness.
Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
Adult Learner Experience
As a person matures, they accumulate a growing reservoir of
experience evolving to learning resources.
Readiness to Learn
As a person matures, their readiness to learn becomes oriented
increasingly to the developmental tasks of their social roles.
Orientation to Learning
As a person matures, time perspective changes from postponed
application of knowledge to immediacy of application; shifting
from subject- centeredness to one of problem centeredness.
Motivation to Learn
As a person matures the motivation to learn is internal.
Upper
Iowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
Iowa
University
Four Principles in Working with Adult
Learners: Applying Andragogy to the
Classroom
• Adults need to be involved in the planning and
evaluation of their instruction.
• Experience (including mistakes) provides the basis
for the learning activities.
• Adults are most interested in learning subjects that
have immediate relevance and impact to their job
or personal life.
• Adult learning is problem-centered rather than
content-oriented. (Kearsley, 2010)
Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
Two mistakes I have made in
teaching / working with adult
learners
1. Making Assumptions about their
computer skills and access
2. Using the Phrase “ real world
experience ’’ for their individual
life situation
Let’s discuss this more…… next slide.
Who is in your classroom?
Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
Generational Differences for the Adult
Learner
How do they Learn? What does this
mean for your classroom?
• Baby Boomers: 1946 - 1964
• Generation X: 1965 - 1980
• Generation Y : 1981 - 1991
Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
Generational Differences for the
Adult Learner
How do they Learn?
Baby Boomers: 1946 - 1964
• Grew-up before computers
• No assumptions as to level of comfort
• Top value is relationship building
• Respecter of experience
Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
Generational Differences for the
Adult Learner
How do they Learn?
Generation X: 1965 - 1980
• First latchkey kids
• Experienced technology revolution
• Experienced job loss and economic
downturn
• Change (many levels) has been key in
their lives
Upper
Iowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
Iowa
University
Generational
Differences
for the
Adult Learner
How do they Learn?
Millennials/Gen Y: 1981 - 1991
•
Always technology connected/ very savvy
• May have no patience with others not
computer savvy
• Big user of Social Media
• Plug and Play - not into reading - instant
gratification
• Multitasking with technology
Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
The Military Student/ Veteran Some tips and concepts for online
and face to face
1.
2.
3.
Every student is different - every situation is
different
Ask the student if they are comfortable in having
their military status discussed (F2F and online)
In a face to face teaching situation, please
remember some military/veteran students might be
sensitive to: brief cases or back packs on the faculty
front desk, the use of colored lasers as pointers,
and they may choose to sit in the back of the room
Upper
Iowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Discussion
ofIowa
Andragogy
in
the
Upper
University
classroom
How could one teach the following situations?
1. A basic accounting class project of creating a
detailed budget to a class made up of adults who
have always worked in the home?
2. Reading Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn - requiring
a 10 page paper on relevance/comparison to your
life?
3. Sociology 301- Family Dynamics. The class is
expected to write an analysis of their family
(following the outline presented in the book) during
the course of the term. Your students are
incarcerated. What would you do?
Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
Research Articles on Andragogy and
Adult Learning
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Smith, M. K. (2002) ‘Malcolm Knowles, informal adult education,
self-direction and andragogy’, the encyclopedia of informal
education, www.infed.org/thinkers/et-knowl.htm
www.academia.edu/.../Understanding_the_Adult_Learners.
Effective Adult Learning : A Toolkit for Teaching Adults. Design
updated in 2014. Please send any comments or questions to the
Northwest Center for Public Health Practice at the University of
Washington School of Public Health. www.nwcphp.org
Psychology of adult learners and generational differences
https://www.mcc.edu/.../teaching_acr..
McCraw, Mary Anne and Martindale, Trey, instructing multigenerational students. University of Memphis,.
mmccraw@memphis.edu treymartindale@gmail.com
Upper
IowaIowa
University
www.uiu.edu
Upper
University
Thank you for your service to
Upper Iowa University students both online and face to face .