Upper Iowa UniversityUpper Iowa University www.uiu.edu

“ Teaching the Adult Learner: Face to Face and

Online Teaching ”

Upper Iowa UniversityUpper Iowa University www.uiu.eduWelcome

Major Concepts Presented for the Training Session

1. Andragogy : Adult Learning Theory2. Generational Learning Styles

3. Working with the Military Student/ Veterans4. Teaching Situations - what would you do?

The Outline for the upcoming Programs Final Comments

Upper Iowa UniversityUpper Iowa University www.uiu.eduAdult 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 Iowa UniversityUpper Iowa University www.uiu.eduKnowles’ 5 Assumptions Of Adult

LearnersIn 1980, Knowles made 5 assumptions about the characteristics of adult learners (andragogy) that are different from the assumptions about child learners (pedagogy). Self-conceptAs 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 subject- centeredness to one of problem centeredness.

Upper Iowa UniversityUpper Iowa University www.uiu.eduAdult Learner Experience As a person matures, they accumulate a growing reservoir of experience evolving to learning resources. Readiness to LearnAs a person matures, their readiness to learn becomes oriented increasingly to the developmental tasks of their social roles.Orientation to LearningAs 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 LearnAs a person matures the motivation to learn is internal.

Upper Iowa UniversityUpper Iowa University www.uiu.eduFour 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 Iowa UniversityUpper Iowa University www.uiu.eduTwo mistakes I have made in teaching / working with adult

learners1. 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?

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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

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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

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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 UniversityUpper Iowa University www.uiu.eduGenerational 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

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The Military Student/ Veteran - Some tips and concepts for online

and face to face 1. Every student is different - every situation is

different2. Ask the student if they are comfortable in having

their military status discussed (F2F and online) 3. 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 UniversityUpper Iowa University www.uiu.eduDiscussion of Andragogy in the 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 Iowa UniversityUpper Iowa University www.uiu.eduResearch Articles on Andragogy and Adult Learning

1. 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

2. www.academia.edu/.../Understanding_the_Adult_Learners.3. 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

4. Psychology of adult learners and generational differenceshttps://www.mcc.edu/.../teaching_acr..5. McCraw, Mary Anne and Martindale, Trey, instructing multi-

generational students. University of Memphis,. mmccraw@memphis.edu treymartindale@gmail.com

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Thank you for your service to Upper Iowa University students -

both online and face to face .