Older Students
I have noticed an increase in older students in my classes. I tend to find that most are looking for a career change due to some setback such as layoffs or a needed change in their original career if it's not working out for them or they want more job satisfaction.
I have more older students than I have younger. In fact, most of my students are older than I am. I think the age diversity is a plus for the program my students study. With group activities, they all seem to form a mutual respect for eachother.
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for sharing this great story. I love examples like this. This gentleman is an inspiration to and for us all.
Gary
I have a 74y/o male with a master's degree in phsyics sitting in my diploma Medical Assisting class. I was shocked when I walked in. He stated that he wanted to something else with the time he had left in life!
Hi Niecy,
This is very common with adult learners. This is why we have to work hard on a continual basis to keep these learners involved.
I have noticed that the more I involve them the more their confidence grows and they start to open up and participate more in class discussions and contribute ideas about how to solve problems.
Gary
The average age of my class is approx 21. My 1-2 adult learners are EXTREMELY reserved and often require me to encourage them to offer opinions. I do multiple group activities in class, however, I notice that those AL's still try to fade into the background.
I agree. I highly encourage older students to share their life experience with the yonger students!
I have in the same class a lady who is 70, then a gal who is 17! Each learn differently. The more "mature" student needs more time to grasp certain concepts, but reatains well. I find the younger students typically have a harder time focusing and do not seem to take their curriculum as serious. Of course I am talking in general, this does not apply for everyone. I have also noticed less patience amongst eachother the greater the gap in age!
Mark, I agree.
I have a class of students that range from 22-69 years old! The average age of students on my campus is around 35. The older students do seem to be more focused, and driven. They are not being forced by mom and dad to go to school like some of the younger students. So, they have the vision of the ultimate goal. They bring so much to the class with their wide variety of experiences. And seem to have a firmer grip on responsibility and priority. Have you noticed this in your class? I thorougly enjoy all my students, however I feel the younger ones can learn a great deal from the adult students.
we also have seen a rise into an older student. it is normally a pleasent change though, they have a better understanding and desire more from the class and myself
I have a pretty level mix of students between 25-35 and then 18-23 the problem I have is the younger students do not want to hear anything that the older students have to say about life and work experience, because they "know best" and a few of my younger students seem to want to call attention to themselves more often by disprupting class.
I admire the fact that older students are learning a new trade and going back to school. They should be definitely used as an asset in the classroom because of their experience and work experience. It is wonderful.
What I have noticed with older students that they want the information that will apply to them now. How it will effect them. With the recession and job changers it is a very exciting time for adults to learn something new and it is very important for the instructor to bring this motivation forward to all of it's students.
Older students want to be acnowleged for their efforts. They have a wealth of experience and they want to be able to share this wealth with others.
I use the "teamwork" approach to have older students interact with younger ones. My ultimate goal is to show the students that you can work together with anyone regardless of age differences. The question I have is can I do anything else to get the point across to my 18-20 year old students that someone older can make valuable contributions to the workplace?
Brian,
I too have notice that. I have one student that has 23 grandkids, and should be thinking of retirement, instead his thinking of a new career. The course I have him in is basic: word, excel and power point and he really struggles.
