Adult Learning Environment

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Adult Learning Environment

It is important to understand that not everyone entering college is ready for the experience. Although colleges and high schools are having conversations on how to address the problem as it relates to high school graduates being unable to test into college level courses, it is merely conversations (Remedial Education: The Skeleton in the Closet of Higher Ed). Each entity continues to play the blame game instead of sharing the accountability, politicians intercede and cause more dissention among them, teachers in school districts are forced to teach to standardized tests, college professors are frustrated with the lack of skills entering freshmen have, yet the reality of it all is there doesn’t seem to be a solution to the problem. Adult basic education is in a category by itself as it is essential for employment and to fight this stubborn illiteracy and poverty filled society. One way to accomplish this is to help low-income, first-generation individuals understand the importance of getting an education. There is a major focus on educating low-income, first-generation individuals, but some instructors cannot comprehend what it really means to come from a disadvantaged background. One of the local superintendents understands this, so each year he requires the district’s instructors to participate in a mandatory activity that exposes teachers to the lives of students they teach. Each year the veteran teachers and new teachers tour the poor neighborhoods from which their students come on the school buses. In addition, they are expected to go door to door in these neighborhoods to hand out flyers reminding the students and their parents of the back to school activities planned for the upcoming year....

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...of adult students increases, it is critical to understand the importance of the philosophies of adult learners. Adult learners have more responsibilities than the traditional student and many have different motives for pursuing an education. For example, many jobs require adults to return to college to receive a promotion. Some require this for additional job training while others may require this because the position requires a specific degree. While learning theories have been the primary focus of discussion thus far, it is time take a closer look at teaching philosophies. For the purposes of this section, we will examine the results of the Principles of Adult Learning Scale survey, and how it relates to personal teaching styles. In addition, the paradigms of liberal and behaviorist teaching styles will be discussed as it relates to teaching philosophies.

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