Adult Learning Theory

Learning occurs through a change in that which the learner already knows or does not know. This change is brought about from experience gained by the learner. It happens in the learner’s information processing system.

Distant learning may occur through two types of approach: the learner-centered approach, which places its focus on how people learn, and the technology-centered approach, in which emphasis is placed on the capabilities of educational technology. in the learner-centered approach technology is not ruled out, but is adapted to the learner to assist the learning process (Clark & Mayer, 2011).

Is there a difference between adult learning and that of children? Indeed, there is quite a difference between the way children learn and he way that adults do. Whereas it is natural for children to seek after knowledge, adults are quite the opposite. They usually have to be made to learn. However, many adults welcome the opportunity to pursue learning. Adults tend to take pleasure in learning, not only for the benefit of gaining knowledge, but also for the pleasure that it brings. Educated adults are often most successful in their professional lives and most fulfilled in their personal lives (Rajsky, 2002). In spite of that, however, adult teaching poses quite a few challenges. As with children’s learning, there are many different styles to adult learning, and not every adult does well in the classroom. Some adults learn through hands-on experiences while others learn through problem-solving techniques. Some are considered to be predilection, and must read and write in order to obtain knowledge. In addition, there are many other learning styles, including visual, interpersonal, intuitive, and naturalistic.

Adult learning has both strengths and weaknesses. One of its strengths or advantages is that it caters to the personal and economic well being of people in general. Adult education “builds communities of confident, curious, critical and creative people” (Thompson, R., 2009)

One of its weaknesses is the inability or unwillingness of the adult to ‘unlearn’ or temporarily set aside the old way in order to acquire new knowledge. Another is on the part of the instructor to present the information in a way that every adult student will equally grasp, accept, and assimilate the information.

With its many achievements, and despite its many challenges, adult education may be practically applied to a distance education course development. A typical distant education course of study can integrate multimedia, text, sound, graphics, and animation into one complete system (Sabatini, J. P. 2001).The system can include a video series, workbook, text, and a web site. Coursework may be designed to meet basic adult literacy needs or advanced learning. Also included should be a teacher’s guidebook, for the purpose of facilitating and guiding the students to successfully accomplishing the required or desired results for advancement.

References

Clark, R,C, & Mayer, R. E. (2011). e-Learing and the science of instruction. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Rajsky, G. (2002). Adult learning. Products Finishing, 66(5), 90. Retrieved March 29, 2012, from http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/pqdlink?RQT=568&VInst=PROD&VName=PQD&VType=PQD&Fmt=2&did=109343264&TS=1332995526&fromjs=1

Sabatini, J. P. (2001).Designing multimedia learning systems for adult learners: Basic skills with a workforceemphasis. NCAL Working Paper. Retrieved March 29, 2012, from http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED451401.pdf

Thomson, R. (2009). Adult learning matters. Adults Learning, 20(9), 8-10. Retrieved March 29, 2012, from http://rx9vh3hy4r.search.serialssolutions.com/?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF8&rfr_id=info:sid/summon.serialssolutions.com&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Adult+Learning+Matters&rft.jtitle=Adults+Learning&rft.au=Thomson%2C+Rachel&rft.date=2009-05-01&rft.pub=National+Institute+of+Adult+Continuing+Education&rft.issn=0955-2308&rft.volume=20&rft.issue=9&rft.spage=8&rft.epage=10&rft.externalDocID=EJ871074

About Me

EDUC 633 Intro

This post includes an introduction blog from a previous assignment. Not much has changed since that. I am looking forward with anticipation to all the exciting things that there are to learn from our class and from the tech experts among my classmates. I hardly placed very much importance on technology and tech tools and advancements until I became enrolled into the Educational Technology program. I've just always thought that the world of technology is moving much too fast to keep up with it. But I now understand that I have got to jump in and get going with it.


I do enjoy reading, music, and family outings and activities I grew up in a large family of ten siblings, of which I am the fifth. Therefore, there has always been a lot of activity among us. Six of my siblings still reside in the islands, mostly by choice, and in some cases, having been influenced by some. As to my parents, I have lost them both over the years, but my siblings and I were all fortunate enough to have achieved adulthood, marriage and family before the loss.of our parents occurred.


This course is going to be a long road ahead and quite a challenge for me, but I hope that by the end of it mine will be a victorious post; that I will have become more enlightened in many different ways, and ultimately, overcome the challenge (I'm sure I will (Phil. 4:13)).