Adult education

Question 1

List and explain the characteristics of adult learners

Answer 1

1. Autonomous (independent) and self directed
   >Must involve them, get their perspective.
   >Facilitate not teach
2. Bring life experiences to learning
   >Draw out participants’ experience and knowledge which is relevant to the topic.
   >Link learning to life experiences
3. Goal oriented
   >Adults know what goal they want to attain.
   >NB: educational program must be organized with clear objectives
   >Instructors must show participants how this class will help them attain their goals.
4. Relevancy oriented ( relate concepts to familiar setting)
   >They must see a reason for learning something.
   >Learning has to be applicable to their work or other responsibilities to be of value to them.
   >Content must be related to a setting familiar to participants.
5. Practical- how useful is it to my daily life? (home, work etc.)
6. Need for respect.
   >Acknowledge the wealth of experiences that adult participants bring to the classroom.
   >Treated as equals in experience and knowledge
   >Let them voice their opinions freely in class

Question 2

List 6 factors that motivate adult learners

Answer 2

1. Social relationships
2. External expectations
3. Social welfare
4. Personal advancement
5. Escape and stimulation
6. Cognitive interest

Question 3

Name and explain the ways in which transference of learning can occur

Answer 3

Association: participants can associate the new information with something that they already know.

Similarity: the information is similar to material that participants already know.

Degree of original learning: participant’s degree of original learning was high.

Critical attribute element: the information learned contains elements that are extremely beneficial (critical) on the job

Question 4

List 6 barriers to learning

Answer 4

• Lack of motivation/interest,
• Confidence/low self esteem,
• Emotional state,
• Social and cultural barriers,
• Personal issues
• Language issues