Adult learners who use life experiences in the classroom bring reality to younger students who may not yet think that there is any correlation to what they will be learning in class to the real world. When discussing life experiences, more experienced students can relay what is to be expected by the employer in the real world, and how important soft skills are. Real life experience can also generate interest that may not have been there before. Lastly, adult learners can bring reality to the fact that a life changing event-loss of job, or the need for more education-is essential for success. They can impress how serious school should be taken because in the real world, there is much competition, and only the best will succeed. Barb Jarosch
so that they can connnect what they have experienced in life to what they are learning to help them retain new knowledge
Life experiences breathe life into the text materials and allow for deeper class involvement and learning.
It's important for adult learners to be able to use their life experiences in the classroom because it gives them an opportunity to apply information that they learned. Also, it provides encouragement, motivation and increases retention.
Good point, Keith! We are subject matter experts first. To take your analogy further, a roofer without the right materials and tools = a leaky roof (smile).
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator
When you use a life experience with an adult learner, he or she has a basis or foundation upon which new information can be placed. In this way, information can be more easily under-stood, and students can learn more easily and quickly. This makes student learning more enjoyable and successful.
If I want to learn how to patch a roof I don't go ask a plumber. These students want to become what I am, so who better to ask.
Hi Alan!
We have had many participants post comments on the value of using life experiences in the classroom or lab. I think your observations capture several points as to this value for both the student and the instructor. Real life examples from students certainly build self-confidence and just make the topic-at-hand more interesting. Examples and experiences from the instructor create relevance as students see the instructor as an expert and picture the workplace accordingly.
Thanks for your observations!
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator
"Security" is the key word especially when older students are mixed with younger students. Older students worry about learning new concepts and having the ability to retain new knowledge unlike the workplace where they feel that their experience gives them superiority. If you can bring those experiences to the forefront, the older students will feel more confident. They will realize that there is a real benefit that comes with their age. Their wisdom can help them contribute to the learning environment just as it does in the workplace and in their personal lives.
I can relate to this. They seem to enjoy hearing stories about the field they are seeking to obtain a career in. You gain respect from them but also become the expert in that field so it can be quite rewarding for all.
I think utilizing life experiences in the classroom enables the adult learner to apply the methods and concepts that are being taught.
We all have life experiences to draw upon in a class discussion. The sum total of all our life experiences is who we are as an individual.
Life experiences serve multiple purposes in a class room. Early in the semester allowing students to share life experiences serves as a valuable "ice breaker." All of our "self-esteems" are in part based upon our life experiences. So, to be able to share those experiences gives students the opportunity take pride in expressing themselves. They may not understand the text book explanation for something yet, but they do understand how a topic has affected their personal life or career development.
It is always beneficial when introducing and explaining a new topic to relate to personal life experiences. This gives the student an opportunity to understand the topic and how it relates to something they have experienced in their own lives. They know how it affected them at the time so they can relate to how it might affect others. This understanding also adds credibility to their own experiences which may also boost self-esteem.
Anything the instructor can do to build student self-esteem makes the achieving the objective of learning easier.
Students love to hear my stories about my previous work experience. It really relates to what we are learning in the class room.
I agree with you, especially for the adult learner that is just a bit older than the rest of the class. They need to express that they have had important experiences that may contribute to the career they have chosen.
I believe that it helps the students feel more comfortable in the classroom as well as make them feel that they are contributing to the class. It also allows me to get to know them better. I also learn from them.
It is important for adult learners to be able to use their life experiences in the class room because it helps them to tie in the information that they are learning with the relevance of learning it.
using rwal life experiences help to show the students you not only are teaching the material but that you have actually worked in that specific feild as well
Hi Dr. Jeffries, thanks for your comments!
I have found too that when students relate their own experiences and backgrounds, it not only boosts their own self confidences, but it engages other students as well. Sometimes instructors overlook what adult learners bring to the table in life experience, work background and transferable skills - maximizing these experiences and skills in the classroom or lab, as opposed to taking the approach, "let me tell you what you need to know," makes all the difference in the world in engaging students in an active learning process.
Thanks again,
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Rachel! You're right, it reaffirms that the instructor is, indeed, the subject-matter expert, and it places the responsibility on us, as instructors, to be sharp and current in the disciplines we represent.
Thanks for your comments,
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Myra!Thanks for your observation. Using real world experiences and examples certainly does help students connect with the topic - they are able to see the relevance of the concept or application to their skill-base and/or career goals.
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator
