Trends in Adult Education

Psychology of Adult Learners & Generational Trends



   
In studying the trends in adult education I have found that the adult educator must be aware of the psychological and generational differences when selecting teaching strategies and learning activities. Understanding the generational trends in our history then becomes a paramount necessity for the role of an adult educator.”

Trends are now indicating that the movement toward learner-centered style of instruction is becoming far more prevalent than instructor-centered traditional model. Because of these changing trends the adult educator must update their teaching practices and consider age to be an important factor when selecting teaching methods and be aware of potential factors that can promote or impede learning.

“More than ever the gap between the instructor and the student is widening. Roles are changing.” (Microsoft Corporation - 2003) And why is that? Because of the changing trends in education. In the past it was thought that learning past the age of early adult hood to be unnecessary. This has gradually been replaced with a new importance for adult learning both for the individual and for society as a whole. (Knowles, 1973; Turlock & Courtenay, 1999).

This changing trend has brought about the ever increasing number of adult learners into our classrooms. In order to teach to the various ages in our classroom we must realize at what stage in a persons life do they become an adult. Malcolm Knowles (1984) gives the definition of an adult as “The psychological definition is one who has arrived at a self concept of being responsible for ones life, of being self directed.” (p. 9).

Pedagogy, (the art and science of teaching children,) would probably not be a wise theory to practise in a diverse classroom makeup. Andragogy (the art and science of teaching adults), is a more appropriate theory as it “assumes that adults enter into an educational activity with both a greater volume and a different quality of experience from youth.” (Knowles,  p.10) At this point we must learn the basic components of adult learning ( found on pages 7 - 8).

The instructors mandate therefore is to manage their classroom and teach to each generation’s learning preference. The continuing increase in the numbers of adult learners in our classrooms is due to the ever changing trends in our society and the Generational Differences in it.

Click on the link in "Resources" for a quick guide to the Generational Differences found in;
Appendix A (p.28 - 29)  Generational Comparison Chart
Appendix B (p.30 - 31) Classroom Implication Chart

Source:

Psychology of Adult Learners and Generational Trends
Teaching Across Generations
Baker College, Effective Learning and Teaching Department

References;

Knowles, M. (1984). Andragogy in Action: Applying Modern Principles of Adult Learning.