"he who dares to teach must never cease to learn." - richard henry dann

"He who dares to teach must never cease to learn."

- Richard Henry Dann

“Hey pal … I want you to know I’m not going to buy into this stuff just because you’re a pastor.”

How would you answer this new adult student?

Before we receive some of your answers … what might put you “on the defensive”? … Explain why

Analyze adult learners by examining the society we live in and the unique qualities adults bring to the learning table.

Apply some of our analysis to our future teaching / learning opportunities.

AnalyzeAdultLearners

1. Cultural and societal shifts that influence the adult perspective:• Moral relativism• Religious Pluralism• Fractured Society• Emotion replaces reason

Any implications for your teaching

ministry in a mission-minded congregation?

2. Dramatic shifts in demographics:• Under 20 … 80.1 million

• 20-44 … 104.4 million

• 45-64 … 61.5 million

• 65+ … 34.9 million71.1% are over 21 years old14.7% are over 62 years old

2. Dramatic shifts in demographics:

• Americans, are living longer. Life expectancy for men was 74.1 years in 2000, up from 68.2 years in 1950. Among women, life expectancy was 79.5 years in 2000, up from 71.1 in 1950.

“The Graying of America”“The Graying of America”“The Graying of America”

• A government report shows that by 2030 nearly one in five Americans — or 72 million people — will be over 65. The Boomers are starting to retire.

One must take into consideration the “graying of America” as well as the immigration tidal wave!


The Hallmark Card company has caught on to the tidal wave.



One out of five households in the U.S. speak a language

other than English



One out of ten people living in America were foreign born.

How well do you understand your adults?

As you look at the following images, write down the first impression of an adult learner as portrayed by the picture.

How well do you understand your adult learners?

1 -- Community bent

2 -- Fearful / cornered

3 -- Capable

4 -- Baggage

5 -- Multi-cultural

6 -- Stressed

So how would you characterize your

average adult learner?

Life TaskHow well do you know yourself?

Quickly list 4 things that make you different as a “learner” now than when you were a learner in elementary school.

VAC & SETPI

Adults are Visual• 75 – 84 % learn visually

• 7 billion bits per second (eye) vs. 10,000 bits per second (ear)

• Is it time we retire the back-handed jokes / slights about “pictures in books”?

Adults are Active

• “I’d rather do it myself than listen to you”• The brain can only learn as much as

the butt can endure (approx. 77 minutes)

• Attention Span ???

Adults are Creative• Closely related to their desire to be active in their

learning.

• Why is it stifled? Up to age six, we use 90% of our creativity; from age 6, drops until only 10% used. Why do we shelve it?

Adults are SETPI• Self-directed

• Experienced

• Task Oriented

• Problem solving

• Immediate Application

Jane Vella’s twelve

principles of adult learning

…

Key Concept:

“The approach to adult learning based on these principles holds that adults have enough life experience to be in dialogue with any teacher, about any subject, and will learn new knowledge or attitudes or skills best in relation to that life experience (Knowles, 1970).

All twelve principles are ways to begin and maintain and nurture the dialogue:

“The approach to adult learning based on these principles holds that adults have enough life experience to be in dialogue with any teacher, about any subject, and will learn new knowledge or attitudes or skills best in relation to that life experience (Knowles, 1970).

All twelve principles are ways to begin and maintain and nurture the dialogue:

#1 – Needs Assessment

Allow adult learners to participate in naming what is to be learned. This means that we include both “core” Bible lessons that every Christian wants to know. We also include lessons that answer the specific questions that our students want to know. How will we know what their questions are?

#2 – SafetyCreate a sense of safety and trust both in the environment and in the process• This “means the design of the learning tasks, the

atmosphere of the room and the design of the materials convey this experience will work for them.”

• “Safety does not obliterate the natural challenge of learning new concepts, skills or attitudes.”

#3 – Sound RelationshipCreate a sound relationship between the teacher and the learner for effective learning and development• “The initial meeting between teacher and

learner has to demonstrate the sense of inquiry and curiosity felt by the teacher!”

• “The initial meeting between teacher and learner has to demonstrate the sense of inquiry and curiosity felt by the teacher!”

#3 – Sound RelationshipCreate a sound relationship between the teacher and the learner for effective learning and development

respect, safety, open communication, listening and humility

#4 – Sequence

Pay careful attention to the sequence of content and reinforcement. For teachers of BIC lessons, this means we keep reviewing GRACE throughout all lessons. What else does “sequence” mean to BIC teachers?

#5 – PraxisPlan time for adult learners to cultivate action with reflection, or learning by doing• Practice the new skills and attitudes, and

then reflect on what they have just done.

#6 – RESPECTPlan time for adult learners to cultivate action with reflection, or learning by doing• Practice the new skills and attitudes, and

then reflect on what they have just done.

#7 – Interplay of 3 DomainsBe aware of the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor aspects of learning: ideas, feelings, actions

#8 – IMMEDIACYImmediate and practical transfer of learning to the adult’s life and work.• Adult learners need to see the immediate

usefulness of new learning: the skills, knowledge, or attitudes they are working to acquire.

#9 – Clear RolesBe clear on roles and role development• “Only the student can name the moment of

the death of the professor.”

“That is, a teacher can be intent upon a dialogue with an adult learner, but if the learner sees the teacher as “the professor” with whom there is no disagreement, no questioning, no challenge, the dialogue is dead in the water.”

#10 – TeamworkUse small groups effectively and focused on the learning task.

#11 – EngagementThe importance of engaging the learners in what they are learning.

#12 – AccountabilityHow do they know they know?

Life Task …Answer the following questions:

1. Why does the presenter of the Bible class typically benefit far more than those who attend the class? … Work together and list at least five reasons why it is true.

2. What are the implications of that fact for what we want happening with our adults during Bible study?

"he who dares to teach must never cease to learn." - richard henry dann

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