Learning in the college setting
More college settings have adult learners so you have to keep the students instrest.
No one single thing will work for all students regardless of age. I have actually had some of my older students to be the most attentive or the most disruptive. However, they can bring more world experience to the classroom and if you have and can take the time to listen, can provide some valuable insights.
And, the younger ones can motivate the older ones too.
Glen,
this is a great example of how some creative thinking can really help to liven the class up & engage them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree with you Sadie. I recently been facilitating adult clinical group in our career college and through this module it helped me be creative by taking the module into action. Last Saturday, my strategy during their class was, I have them form a smaller groups of 3 students and worked on the list of medications patients take at home. I had my students formulate an admitting diagnosis/potential/predisposing problems based on the medications, concepts they are currently on, and make an imaginary patient case together with their interventions, tests, and care. At the end of their group reporting I ask them critical thinking questions and my students appreciated the strategy very much because it helped them simulate the reality in the acute care setting. I think that this strategy stimulated their interest in their course and facilitated two way communication between the instructor and among the students. Thank you.
Yes. I think an instructor needs to have several different teaching techniques to engage students.
steve,
yes, having a variety of teaching methods & appealing to the various styles is a great way to reach all learners.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
In my classes I currently have students ages 18-53 talk about a mixed group Baby boomers - X-Y-Z.
Each group has it'swn likes and dislikes and how they learn. I try to vary the delivery technique- hands on- class discussion, some lecture and lots of practical situtaional "what-ifs"
If your doing all the talking the studnets are not listening
I definitely agree with you Latoya. My older more mature students tend to take a little while to get comfortable with learning again. The activities really help them and the younger students stay engaged.
marlene,
yes, the older learners can help the younger ones learn more about the process of learning.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am an older learner as well as an instructor, I function on both sides of the table. Older learners to me have the same difficulties as young learners, except: they understand the need and time it takes to learn. Studying, homework, memorizing, etc... I agree must be reintroduced and in a different manor, no matter the age of the student.
sadie,
yes, & I've found that the real life experiences are a great way to keep their attention.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree. One thing that I have noticed is that older adult learners have more difficulty in connecting and retaining information. They have to get reacquainted with studying, doing homework, reading large amounts of material,etc. That is why it is so important that we make learning fun, interesting, and easier to understand. If we had class settings that were only lecture then no one would retain any information. As instructors we have to do our part to make sure that the students are getting the education that they deserve and help them in any way that we can.
