Adult Learning a competitive necessity.

”Workforce education is a "diamond in the rough" and needs to be awakened to the public and legislators, says the newly appointed deputy director for Arkansas Department of Workforce Education.” from: New state deputy says workforce education: 'sleeping giant'

Two things are clear. First, America must find a way out of its current suicidal trade imbalance. Second, with an aging population competitiveness and innovation will come to a great measure from adults. We simply cannot move all jobs to India (and if we do we should start paying the company executive Indian wages).

Individuals, as well as employers, need to be concerned about their future. If they are not more productive than those in off shore locations, they will see their jobs off shored. It will not going be easy for adults given that young people are growing up with “crib side PC”. In addition, adults will have to be as good as or better than the kids off shore. What needs to be leveraged are the advantages provided by experience, cultural understanding and communication in tandem with contextually appropriate new skills.

To the adult educator all this means a need for more efficient and effective courseware. We need to put our creative thinking hat on and challenge ourselves and our employer to pilot new approaches. This is not an impossible task, it is a new reality. Greater productivity brought by education and innovation are the only weapon against off shoring. Yet this weapon is a hidden “diamond in the rough”, in George French’s words, as it might bring great new opportunities.

Adult Learning Myths

1. Adult learning is inherently joyful
2. Adults are innately self-directed learners
3. Good educational practice always meets the needs articulated by learners themselves
4. There is a uniquely adult learning process as well as a uniquely adult form of practice.
   

I'm not sure where many of the theoreticians were while developing their adult learning (andragogical) theories. In their world adults are always motivated learners. I'm not unusual but I can easily point to training sessions where learners did not come motivated. In fact, changing learner attitudes was what the first part of the training attempt.

Just as I can point to lack on joy and motivation, I can point to adult learners that preferred to be guided. I can also point to situations where the instruction did not meet the initial needs articulated by the learners because the instruction itself changed the learner's and their stated needs.

The point is that we should take the above myths are possibly true but not with the certainty many claim. If you allow for flexibility, or ambiguity you will be better prepared for the eventualities you might encounter.

What are the principles of adult learning?

Adults learn best when:

• Their prior learning was rewarded (monetarily or with recognition)
• The subject matter is relevant to their perceived needs (professional or other)
• Interaction and dialog are possible throughout the instruction
• Self direction is possible
• Mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn
• Critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem solving are part of the instruction
• Practical experience is part of the instruction

Why is adult learning different? Or is it?

Since the first adult learning theory was developed it has been argued that adults learn differently because, among other things, they bring with them experiences that young children don’t.

Andragogy (how adult learn) differs from Pedagogy (how children learn) in that pedagogy does not address prior experiences. To this extent we can say that they are different, however, even with young learners, andragogical or a mix of andragogical-pedagogical approaches, work better than purely pedagogical ones. The reason for this is simple; we retain and understand better those things that relate to our experience or real world situations.

What is adult learning?

Adult learning is any “post-compulsory” learning. Other terms used for Adult Learning are “Life-long Learning” and “Continuing Education”.

Adult learning is a broad term that can comprise formal college education; job related training, community education, or self improvement.

if you are involved or consider being involved in any of the above, you will find this blog of interest as we build up a bank of useful information and resources. Enjoy the blog and please contribute with comments.