adult learners
I have found that adult learners learn best when then can relate information to life eeperiances
Walt,
Good observations about adult learners and their contributions to a class. This has been my experience as well. Once they get over their fear of competing with younger students they start to see that they in fact can be successful in the course and that they have something to offer. This is when their self confidence starts soars.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My class of adult learners certainly have a broad and diverse experience base which they are willing to share with their fellow students. I often leverage the experiences of the older students for the benefit of the younger ones, often just out of high school. I agree that the older students are truly goal oriented. The high school aged students, not so much. Again, I have successfully leveraged the experience of the older students to help mentor the younger ones.
I have had my share of older students who are fearful of failing due to the time they spent away from school. They definitely need exrea TLC and support until they get accustomed to the learning environment again. Taking this approach all but ensures their success.
Aaron,
They really like stories from their instructor's experiences because these stories reinforce the content that is being taught. In addition, these stories help them to see what they expectations are going to be when they are out in the workplace. Keep sharing the students appreciate it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that when connecting a lesson to stories of my own professional experiences, students become much more interested. Hearing a specific example of how the information might apply to their careers seems to resonate well with adult learners.
My students are transitioning from the worker bee mode to the planner mode in their career. They have been the recipient of both good and bad plans in the past. This makes them eager to learn, but also to question anything that seems counterintuitive.
I agree I have many students who have life experiences who bring that information into the classroom. And adult students are always striving to better thier knowledge and are ready to learn.
Michelle,
This is the human factor of teaching and you are using if effectively. Keep up the sharing.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have found in my hospital pharmacy classes spending five or ten minutes of class and talking about my life experience with the information we are covering gets more attention out of the students.
Deborah,
The more connection you can make between content and application the higher the interest level is going to be. Your examples are helping the students to see the value of the content you are sharing.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
For my students, I have found that clinical examples work well when they involve both a teaching point and some humor.
I like what Devon said about the culinary field isn't alway's about what the adult learner wants to taste or cook. I do think an adult leaner comes to the table with more memories, some that aren't good ones. As an instructor I encourage them to try everything and consider that they may never have had it prepared properly and they should give it a second chance.
A portion of my students are ex-military. I have found they are very dedicated to their studies and once shown how what they are being taught in the classroom will apply to their career become even more involved in the learning process.
Amy,
As have I. I enjoy having these students in my classes. They really have a lot to contribute based upon their life experiences.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have discovered this also. The majority of my adult students take their learning very seriously because they see the big picture of what their return will be.
Juan,
You have a great bunch of students to work with. As you say you have to be prepared or the students will quickly shut down and lose respect for you.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I teach adult military students. They bring dedication and a sense of purpose. They are also very quick to question the relevance of the material. More the reason to be prepared in that environment.
Chasity,
Adult learners for the most part have so many different life experiences that they can relate to the course content and applications. They are goal oriented and are ready to learn. Their biggest fear most often is that they won't be successful since they have been out of school. They are surprised that they really can be successful once they get settled into the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I strongly agree with this point. With my adult pupils whenever Im able to relate our task to their real life experiences, this certainly improves there retention of the information. Inside clinical simulation I really see where it makes the difference...
CM..
Instructor
I am glad to hear that other culinary instructors are having the same issues. Memory and food are so closely tied together for some people, it is difficult to break those ties or make new positive connections for people!
