Adult Learners
When you speak about adult learners it is geared toward those that have been in the work force for a while and have come back to school. A lot of my students are adults but younger I feel a lot of these things would be lost on them as they have not really be in the work force yet. How would you encourage them to be resonsible for there school work when they are not motivated themselves.
In our industry, the students absolutely need the skills that are taught here before they can work in the field. They are motivated to learn something that they love. It is important to have students enrolled who truly want to succeed in their chosen profession. Then they want to learn.
Hi Kristina,
Being able to multitask is a good trait to have. Employers love having employees who are able to do more than one thing at a time.
Patricia Scales
In my kitchen classes, I set up a timeline everyday so my students know what is expected of them but also they start to organize their production and multi task. It makes them think about what the outcome needs to be.
Hi Ray,
We have to make learning applicable to the real world. Students love to know how they are going to benefit from the course.
Patricia Scales
In relation to my industry which is the fine dining industry, We teach realistic points that go on the workforce.Provide informaiton on what can make them better in the classroom and how that will affect them in the working world. Being un-motivated in class could and probaly will show up in that individuals work.
I try to find what brought them to pursue their education in this field in the first place and then use that knowledge to help them realize the project they are working on at that moment is step in the right direction toward their goal.
Hi Wendy,
We must be good listeners and let students share. A simple thank you, we must move forward, really does go a long way.
Patricia Scales
You definetely need boundaries not matter what the age group. I have found over the years that some adult learners can be very difficult to teach because of their past experiences and ideas. Some of them find it difficult to be open minded about certain concepts. Many times I find myself saying "Why are you here, if you already know everything?"
It always helps to refocus the class and gain control by simply thanking the adult learner for their comments but letting he or she know that we need to move on to complete the lesson.
Hi Jon,
Structure is the key to great learning in a classroom environment! Even adults need rules, policies, and procedures.
Patricia Scales
Absolutely! I was an adult learner myself before becoming an instructor. I am currently teaching those same courses that i sat for 10 years ago. Rules and boundaries need to apply to all in the classroom setting. I find the adult learner easier to deal with as far as this is concerned. They have had life experiences,held jobs,have families,etc.
The younger students tend to be tardy and absent more often than my adult students. I coach them in this regard and often get help with it from my adult learners.
Hi Jennifer,
You set rules and boundaries, and if they do not produce accordingly they are reprimanded according to the rules.
Patricia Scales
