PRINCIPLES OF ADULT LEARNING A Adults As Learners

PRINCIPLES OF ADULT LEARNING A. Adults As Learners • Trainer must understand-How adults learn best. • Compared to children and Teens, Adults have special needs and requirements as learners. • Despite the apparent truth, adult learning in a relatively new area of study.

B. Characteristics of Adult Learners • Adults are autonomous and self –directed. • Adults have accumulated a foundation of life experiences and knowledge. • Adults are goal- oriented. • Adults are relevancy oriented. • Adults are practical. • As do all learners, adults need to be shown respect.

c. Motivating the Adult learner Factors serving as sources of Motivation for adult learning: - Social Relationships • To make new friends • To meet a need for association and friendship. External Expectations: • To Comply with instructions from someone else, • To fulfill the expectations of someone with formal authority.

Social Welfare : • To improve ability to serve mankind. • Prepare for service to the community. • To improve ability to participate in community work. Personal Advancement: • To achieve higher status in Job. • Secure professional advancement. • Stay abreast with competitors. • Monetary benefits.

Escape/Stimulation : • To relieve boredom. • Provide a break in the routine of home or work. Cognitive Interest : • To learn for the sake of learning. • Seek knowledge. • To satisfy an inquiring mind.

D. Barriers to Adult Learning. • Lack of time. • Lack of money. • Lack of confidence or interest. • Lack of information about opportunities to learn. • Scheduling Problems( Programmes, timings etc. ) • “Red Tape” • Problems with child Care, Parent Care & Transportation. • Health/Medical Reasons ( Actual & Artificial)

E. Learning Tips for Effective Trainers. • Trainers /Educators must remember that learning is a continuous process throughout life. • People learn at different speeds, so it is natural for them to be anxious or nervous when faced with learning situation. • Positive re-enforcement by the trainer can enhance learning. • Proper timing of instructions enhance learning. • Learning results from stimulation of the senses.

F. Four Elements of Learning. • Motivation • Re-enforcement (+ve + -ve Do’s + Dont’s) • Retention • Transference

The best motivators for Adult Learning are interest and selfish benefits. It can be shown that the Course benefits them pragmatically, they perform better, and the benefits will be longer lasting.