Understanding Adult Learners
After a brief understanding of where each adult learner's experience, I have found utilizing it to enhance or affirm their motivations for taking the class has made a difference.
I also find that most older adult learners are highly motivated, and more willing to put in the time than the younger students, but I am also somewhat surprised by the occasional older student who seems to revert back to her youth (it is primarily a female phenomenon) and become catty and critical of her fellow students. In one instance, two or three older female students started and spread unsubtantiated rumors about a younger, very attractive student. The younger student was very upset by the rumors, especially because they were started by women her mother's age, who didn't even know her.
I have had a couple of adult learners and although I have had no real concern I felt they were veiwed as a leader so I had to find ways to
help keep his/her enthusiasm and attitude positive or I felt I ran the risk of having problems in my class.
Hi Ashley,
I use a set time frame for discussions and Q&A sessions. This way I can shut off the those that would talk too much without hurting their feelings because going into the discussion it will be for only a set time, like 15 minutes. I can also use this time format to draw out those students that are less likely to contribute to the class by having each student ask one question or make a contribution to the discussion within our time frame.
Gary
I have found this also but it does seem to backfire sometimes because then the students want to share more then is necessary which puts a delay in classtime always if you do in fact have the oversharers.
I also instruct a wide range of ages. The older students are so encouraging to the younger students. However, the older students tend to require more positive feedback from me.
I instruct diverse classes of older adults to still in high school students. I find the students when encouraged to form groups of mixed ages actually enjoy each others company. Older students parent the younger. The younger students encourage the older to try new things. That way everyone is supporting each other. This allows me the opportunity to watch and step in as needed to provide encouragement, correction and redirection.
I have been teaching a very diverse group of students from students finishing high school to adults changing careers later in life. I am routinely adjusting the course outline to include the wide range of styles and frequently utilize life experience from the adults changing careers to help the younger students understand real life experiences.
Hi James,
Good point. We instructors can't forget to give feedback to our adult students even though they are doing real well and progressing as needed. They need to hear that they are doing well over and over so we need to make it part of our standard operating procedure.
Gary
I have taught adult learners for quite a while now and have found it to be rewarding. They are generally quite motivated to do well. They bring a wealth of "real world" experience that younger students lack. They do, however, need positive feedback since many are unsure of themselves, having been out of the school setting for quite awhile.
