Andragogy Video: You can also view this brief video on adult learning theories. Use this only as an introduction since your text readings will go into much greater depth. For your assignment, cite from the class texts and not from the supplemental documents or videos.
Discussion Board – Adult Learning Theory
The student will post one thread of at least 750 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday of the assigned Module: Week. For each thread, students must support their assertions with broad references to the class sources in APA format. Draw from the sources broadly and cite per APA. Your narrative should include numerous references to the class content.
The assignment for this week will ask you to demonstrate higher-order thinking as it applies to adult learning theory. Please do the following presented in a complete narrative posted to the discussion board. Draw appropriately from the class sources and cite per APA 7th. Use headings to organize your main points. The overall purpose here is to think critically about the elements of adult learning. You will notice from the following that you integrate elements of application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and creation.
Instructions
After reviewing the chapters on theories of adult learning (Merriam and Baumgartner chapters 5 and 16), and this module’s readings on self-directed learning, experience, adult development, and brain/memory/cognitive, judge what you conclude to be the most important concepts from each of those topics—make sure to address each of the concepts listed. Why do you come to that conclusion—that is provide valid rationale?
You were introduced to some enduring theories of adult learning. If you were constructing a theory of adult learning, what would you change, add or delete? Determining how adults learn, how would you design the perfect theory of how adults learn?
Of the elements of adult learning theory presented in the readings, do you identify any underlying themes? What are the similarities and differences between the different elements? Of the elements of adult learning under our control (we can’t change much about brain changes, for instance) what advice would you give to make adult learning the richest experience?
Project to your own teaching demonstration and explain how you will apply elements of adult learning to that teaching demonstration.
Adult learning has several underlying themes that run across the learners’ varying needs and the stage of development they are in at a particular point. The first theme concerns adults’ desire for significant active involvement in learning processes from planning to executing a plan (Karge et al., 2011). This aspect deviates starkly from the pedagogy approach, where the instructor determines what is best for the learners. Similarly, adults gravitate more towards contextual learning, where past experiences feature in their learning patterns. In the same vein, they desire contextual knowledge where the information they receive can be put to practical use in their everyday experience (Finlay, 2010). A content-based process is not the most appropriate approach for adults who prefer reasoning and practical problem-solving skills to memorizing concepts.
