Understanding Adult Learners
One the most important objectives when teaching adults is getting to know the students' learning style and their personal story. I believe this a key opponent to help understand and to motivate students.
Hi Suzette,
You are going a good job of setting the stage for the upcoming class with your approach. By going over the course requirements, expectations and policies you are helping to reduce student concerns about the course. By talking to them about outside distractions you are showing them that you have a level of understanding about their lives. This shows you are going to support them as needed but will insist on them putting forth the effort needed to be successful in the course.
Gary
One of the first things I do on the first night is have students tell their story about where they came from, why they decided to return to education, and where they intend to go with their life. This usually sends a message to the younger students that we are here to get a job done. I also go through a litany of things outside the classroom that I know are obstacles for students to be successful (care, babysitting, work etc. This helps them to understand that they are in this together and that I understand and accept them
Hi Diana,
Can you put the different age groups into mixed work groups where they need to work together to do case studies or problem solve. I have found that by putting my younger older students into work groups they start to respect the contributions each bring to the group and start to work together. This also helps with class management issues since the younger students are divided up and can't spend as much in-class time being social.
Gary
I can see the difference in age immediately which almost always, but not always translates into maturity and responsibility. The younger students seem to use class as more of a social hour. The transitional students are focused and have a very low tolerance for any goofing around. For me this has been one of the most challenging things to balance in class room management. Attempting to control the young ones without demotivating them and listening to the older students complain about class disruption is tough. I'd be thrilled to hear any suggestions on keeping this balance please.
Hi Jeaneen,
I have observed the same thing with my students. It is always good to see how they start to develop respect for each other and share their life experiences.
Gary
I often see and feel the frustration of my adult students toward the younger more immature ones. I encourage my students to get into groups of diverse age so they can 'learn' about each other and their stories. I find that the majority of the time the younger students are interested in the adult stories which helps promote a more cohesive group.
I watch the interaction between the groups and in this way I observe how the adult learner interacts with the younger student and gauge how they, themselves would like to be taught. You usually lead by example so I follow this rule.
