The Adult Learner
I have seen many times in the classroom that when the older a student is, the more likely it is that they doubt their abilities at first. However, it is also this student (who has usually been out of the academic environment the longest) that becomes the most independant and passion filled learners. It is a pleasure to work with these "non-traditional" students because of their ownership of their education and progress.
Hi Phil,
I concur! Age should not matter. If a student wants an education bad enough, they can work hard and will get. It is all in the effort!
Patricia Scales
Probably I relate well to the Self-directed learner because I see that as my learning style. In the lesson itself, I appreciated the attributes of such a learner.
Indeed, the older student has more patience, is more able to understand analogies, and appreciates the history of a particular technology or (in my case) medical procedures. Yes, there is doubt about ability to learn after a significant time away from college, but with a little coaching, such students seem to shine. I believe that there should be no upper limit of age for a student.
Hi David,
I agree! I have found the adult learner is a very serious learner! They try to hang on to every piece of information you tell them! I love working with the adult learner!!!
Patricia Scales
That's been my observation too. They are generally intensely interested in the curriculm, more specifically, how it relates to achieving their goals; both professional and monetary. These folks are motivated and not particularily tolerant of horse play or shinanigans from younger students. They're focused, they listen, process and put into practice the instruction they recieve. Rewarding to work with...
Hi Meredith,
I concur! Older students are a lot wiser, and they understand the importance of a higher education. They realize that they do not want to waste any more of their time; to them time is of the essence.
Patricia Scales
