Gaining Respect from the adult learner.
When I first starting teaching and was younger than some of my students, I feel there were times I really had to work hard to prove to them that I deserved to be there. It made me a much better teacher and taught me a lot about age diversity in the classroom. We (both myself and the students) quickly learned to respect each other allowing me to provide the best education possible. With simple understanding and compassion of what each had to deal with in order to give and receive an education. Its a big step for an adult, old enough to be the parent of the teacher, to look at the teacher as a "role model" and can be very uncomfortable for the teacher as well. By showing them you have a complete understanding of the subject and treating them with respect I feel you will quickly come to a common ground and make a comfortable learning environment for the entire class.
Ryan,
I commend you for your effort to find balance with the diversity of your student population. Sounds like you have found a way to reach and support each student.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Currently, I am in this situation of having student both older and younger than myself. This has been one of the hardest aspects of being a instructor. My challenge is with the younger students keeping them interested and on task. What I do is bring up points that the younger students can relate to. And as for the older students, I need to prove myself to them on a regular bases and the way I keep the younger students excited bores the older students. I am always having to find the middle ground so as to not lose the class.
Charles,
This is why it is so important to be current in the field no matter how long you have been teaching. Your credential of currency is based upon you bringing to the class the latest developments, trends and requirements of the field. This is why we need to be on the look out for new information all the time.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
i often am lecturing a lot of younger folks and with technology playing such a big role in my field, as an older instructor, i find that i have to prove to them that i'm "up to date" on the latest and greatest to earn respect as someone who can show them how to use these tools.
Lorie,
Thank you for sharing this example because age is not really a factor if you as the instructor are prepared, organized and confident in what you are sharing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I was in the similiar situation. I was approached by a student who said on the first day " I thought to myself how is someone younger than me going to teach me". At the end of the module the student was aprreciative of all the insight and knowledge she was leaving with.
Nicole,
Thank you for sharing your personal experience with refining and defining your instructional style when working with adult learners. This is so important if you are going to engage them in the learning process. As a result you and they have experienced a lot of success over the years.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
