Adult Learners

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As an educator, it is my role to teach as well as learn. The role of a teacher allows me to experience both Andragogy and Pedagogy. “Andragogy” is “the art and science of helping adults learn "where as “Pedagogy is the art and science of teaching children” (Knowles, 1984, p. 13). In my profession, it is a daily task to teach concepts to children. Children are generally, teacher directed learners meaning, they are always looking to the teacher to guide them in their learning. They seek out answers and need direction to what they will be learning and what activities are provided to solidify the learning concept. This is quite different than the self directed, or the adult learner. According to Caruso (2011), adults learn by performing in their own environment and problem situations. Children’s learning is enhanced by rewards and punishments. To recognize their acquired learning and also to encourage them to learn more, they are provided with rewards like high grades and verbal praise. Adults are more goal-oriented. Their readiness allows them to immediately apply their learning to achieve their goals.
In the video "Adult Learning Principals", six principals, developed by Malcolm Knowles, are discussed that separate an adult learner from a child learner. Adults are autonomous meaning they are self-directed. Taking online courses has proven to be a self-directed learner environment. I have found online courses to be more difficult because professors expect adults to balance their time and put forth a great amount of effort since the course was chosen rather than forced. According to Pappas (2013), adults feel the need to take responsibility for their lives and decisions and this is why it’s important for them to have contro...

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...o play a major role in their own learning. The sooner they learn these skills, the more prepared they will be in the future as an adult learner.

Works Cited

Caruso, S. (2011). Children and Adults Learn Differently. Retrieved November 1 2013 from http://www.eadulteducation.org/adult-learning/children-and-adults-learn-differently/
Gibbs, Y. (2010, July 12). Self-directed Learning. Retreived from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvPEbyEdOQU
Knowles, M. & Associates. (1984). Andragogy in action. Applying Modern Principles of Adult Education. San Francisco: Jossey Bass
Nagler, D. (2009, Dec 14). Adult Learning Principals. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu_PpkqWJGA
Pappas, C. (2013, May 8). 8 Important Characteristics of Adult Learner. Retrieved November 2 2013 from http://elearningindustry.com/8-important-characteristics-of-adult-learners

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