PROJECT

DUE DATE COURSEJANUARY 16 2013 BEC910CE- ADULT EDUCATION

Barriers to Adult LearningBy: Patti Blight, Sarah Cancelliere, Danielle Gunton, Avril Reid, Kerry Weir

What are some common barriers experienced by adult learners when they choose to return to school or participate in workplace training?

ATTITUDINAL BARRIERS

YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG

NEW TRICKS…OR CAN YOU?

THE CASE• Anita is over 50 • She has been in her job for 20 years•Her job is being outsourced• She can not afford to retire• She needs to develop new skills • She needs to go back to school

THE BARRIER

“Many adults have experienced so much criticism, failure, and discouragement in their youth that their self-confidence and sense of worth are damaged. In a new learning environment, adults often are anxious, fear failure, and dread rejection by their peer group (Kennedy, 2003).”

ALLEVIATING THE FEARS

Provide a safe and welcoming environment

Have students interact and discuss prior experiences

Have students explain their goalsProvide students with detailed course

outline and expectations

THE EDUCATOR

“Part of being an effective educator involves understanding

how adults learn best (Lieb,1991)”.

APPLYING KNOWLES

KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES

1. Adults are internally motivated and self-directed

EDUCATOR’S ROLEBe a facilitator:

Understand how adults learn and allow students to participate in the direction of the class

Recognize and accommodate different learning styles

APPLYING KNOWLES

KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES

2. Adults bring life experiences and knowledge to learning experiences

EDUCATOR’S ROLE

Acknowledge value of previous experience

APPLYING KNOWLES

KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES3. Adults are goal oriented

EDUCATOR’S ROLEShow direct link between course material and student’s goalsUse real case studies to examine theory

APPLYING KNOWLES

KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES

4. Adults are relevancy oriented

EDUCATOR’S ROLEProvide assignment options that reflect student interests

Provide students with reflective questions to assess connection to goals

APPLYING KNOWLES

KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES5. Adults are practical

EDUCATOR’S ROLEEncourage active participation allowing students to experiment and develop self efficacy

Provide feedback on a regular basis

APPLYING KNOWLES

KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES

6. Adults are practical

EDUCATOR’S ROLE

Encourage active participation allowing students to experiment and develop self efficacy

Provide feedback on a regular basis

REFERENCEShttp://www2.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2003/apr2003/april03leb.htm#page_2APPLYING PRINCIPLES OF ADULT LEARNINGTHE KEY TO MORE EFFECTIVE TRAINING PROGRAMSBY RALPH C. KENNEDY, M.ED.http://www.adultstudent.com/eds/articles/teaching.html TEACHING ADULT STUDENTS THE WAY THEY LEARN:THE INSTRUCTOR'S ROLE IN RETAINING ADULT LEARNERS AND INCREASING THEIR CHANCES OF SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AL SIEBERT, PHDPRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE ADULT LEARNER 2000, ATLANTA, GEORGIAhttp://www.qotfc.edu.au/resource/index.html?page=65375ADULT LEARNING THEORY AND PRINCIPLES