Education Design: Learning Theory
Mihall, John & Belletti, Helen (2-16-1999). Adult Learning Styles and Training Methods.
- Focus on “real world” problems.
- Emphasize how the learning can be applied.
- Relate the learning to the learners’ goals.
- Relate the materials to the learners’ past experiences.
- Allow debate and challenge of ideas.
- Listen to and respect the opinions of learners.
- Encourage learners to be resources to you and d to each other.
- Treat learners like adults.
- Give learners control
Harris, Kim. What Works at Work: Six Lessons for the Classroom. Review of Agricultural Economics, Volume 22, Number 1, Pages 228–236
- Use the unique characteristics, experiences, and backgrounds of adult learners
- Balance content and process
- Fun facilitates transfer of knowledge
- Make learning “brain-friendly”
- Experiment with different approaches to teaching
Cason, Roger L. Some (Possibly Controversial) Suggestions for Teaching Adults Financial Practice and Education, Spring/Summer, 1993
- The experience must focus on learning rather than teaching
- Adults’ motivation to learn is life-centered, not subject-centered
- Students learn more quickly and more confidently when their experience is recognized and used in the learning process
Lawler, Patricia A. Teachers as Adult Learners: A New Perspective. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, no.98, Summer 2003.
- Create a climate of respect
- Encourage active participation
- Build on experience
- Employ collaborative inquiry
- Learn for action
- Empower the participants