The adult learner
As instructors we would like to think that our adult learners would be self motivated but most of the time thats just not the case, we have to be ready to give lots of support, encourgement, and motivation not to mention praise and reasurrance to help them reach their goals.
I very much enjoy my adult students. I feel as though they are very motivated, respectful and work extremely hard to aquire their educational goals.
Every point that you have stated about the younger students is on target.I do group projects pairing young and older students but the older students are not happy and the younger students are elated because the older students do all the work.I grade them as a group and individually that's when the younger group realizes they arent "entitled. Great input- thank you for your comments.
Hi Mary,
Good point and one all of us instructors need to consider when working with diverse aged students. I have to work hard to move the minds of the younger students to their future rather than their sense of "entitlement". They are NOT owed a grade because they or their parents paid the tuition. They have to earn their grades and the older students know that. So I try to pair up the younger with the older students and have them work on projects so they can develop an understanding of where each other is coming from.
Gary
I totally agree with your post. My classes have high school students and middle age learners. I can honestly say that the adult students are focused in their goals and the "13 th grade students can't seem to leave the high school attitude behind. I can see the frustration in the adult learners who pay for their education as opposed to the high school graduates whose parents usually pay for their education.It is sometimes difficult to find a common ground.
I would have to agree with Summer here but with a 75/25 split. I really enjoy looking at my class rooster and seeing older students in the class. They do tend to be more focused and some will even bring the younger students along for the ride. (Which is great even if it only for a class or two) Older students make me "On my game". I usually have to do a little extra to prep the class and assignments. Older students will then also help with the bad attitudes that can arise in the classroom by iterating to younger students that there is a reason they are here and call out the younger students for being disruptive.
I found your observation interesting Ranee, as I have had a different experience regarding the motivation of adult learners. As the population of my school has recently trended to include younger students (high school graduates) there is a clear difference between the motivation of older and younger students. I have found the majority of my adult learners to be highly motivated and thus easily frustrated by younger students who might lack motivation or commitment. I noted one suggestion for mixing up older and younger students was to do have them complete tasks together. I often have students who, wanting to get the best grade, are reluctant to work with younger students who will be less focused.
While I certainly believe there are tremendous benefits to diversity in the classroom, I think the issue of age differences is often a serious one that requires much effort on the part of the instructor to find common ground. I like what the video said about knowing a bit about students first so you can bring out appropriate contributions.
Hi Linda,
Right you are. With all of the challenges of life facing them plus being a student it can be easy for them to drop out. The more support we can give them the greater their chance of success will be.
Gary
My concern is that the adult learner decides to enroll in school but needs a lot of motivation to remain in school. Its our job as instructors to help them stay in school.
Hi Lisa,
Very true. More adult learners are entering college than ever before. They have specific goals and want their college to provide the needed education so they can achieve those goals. This is one of the reasons that we educators need to be clear and concise with our course content and well prepared with our delivery.
Gary
As the economy demands additional education and skills to remain competitive in the job market, an increasing number of adults are returning to school to obtain college degrees, The adult learner is under more pressure
