The Adult Learner: Things We Know - Essay Example

Adults Learners – Interview This is an adult learner who is an Aviation Electronics Technician, who in his latter days finds himself to be a mature person to pursue a higher education degree. He is verbal and is adamant of what he wants to pursue and how to go about it. This researcher selected this person because he is ________________. The responses that the interviewee gave were clear and to the point. He did not go around issues. He was sure of what he was saying and versed, given the information solicited and provided. This is in accordance with Fogarty & Pete (2007). He knew at a younger age that he could not have continued a higher education degree since he did not see himself ready for it. He also explained that he was not interested in obtaining a degree as much as being able to learn and not necessarily in his field of expertise. This differs with Fogarty & Pete (2007) since they stated that the adult learners want to learn in materials their field and be able to apply in the workforce. He stated that he wanted to broaden his horizons by leaning new materials, although he acknowledged that education and learning were necessary tools that would otherwise would close different opportunities without them. As an adult learner he sees himself wanting to grasp meaning and the existence to certain situations. He wants to learn by understanding instead of using past educational strategies such as rote memory. He is a detailed person and explicit in what he wants. In a syllabus he wants to see the objectives of the curriculum, such as Fogarty & Pete (2007) purported. He wants to know what is expected of him so that he is able to focus that which will satisfy what he will need to learn. He believes that, “…it is necessary to master the basics to give me a firm foundation for continuing topics.” He understands the kind of learner that he is. According to him, he is a visual learner. He also needs to see the end results of his learning. He mentioned the limitations that reading and studying have for him. He asserted that although they are good, “…they lack the animations and the step-by-step instructional aids that I need to really understand what I am attempting to learn.” Given that he is an active participant in class, he has to ask questions for those presented materials that he does not understand. This is also a way of testing the teacher´s knowledge, by stepping out of the scripted presentation and feel that she or he is catering to “…my needs as a student…” so that he may understand. He is also interested in the teacher´s point of view versus the author of the text. He expressed the type of teachers he wants in front of a traditional classroom and that is someone who is sure of herself/himself and that is able to impart the class by not constantly reading from the materials but rather to talk about the subject in a secure and confident manner. Fogarty & Pete (2007) asserted this in their book. Since, if the teacher imparts the class in this manner he doubts the information that is given. He wants to be reassured what he is learning instead of having to doubt everything that may be said He does not like given useless information that is of hindrance to him. He wants information that is directly related to the discussed topic. Having other students “…carrying on their own discussions” is a distracter in his learning. Fogarty & Pete (2007) pointed out that adult learners like to be focused in the learning process. The interviewee suggested that the teachers should use their own words. He wants the teacher to prove to the students that she or he wants them to learn the correct information and how they visualize the correct information. He wants the teacher to be patient with the adult learners. He believes that rushing through the lesson is not fair and it is limiting the adult learners´ success in their future educational endeavors.. As an adult educator this researcher will need to be prepared for class. She found that the adult learners are more challenging. She also found out that it is different to teach children than it is to teach adults. Adults, given this interview and readings know what they want to do, they have different styles of learning, and require more, since they are going to school not because they have to but rather because they want to (as the case of this subject). This researcher will use a variety of educational strategies, such as multiple intelligences, constructivism approaches, and androgen teaching styles to gain attention and obtain active participation from the students. In general, the adult learners are at school after work, so they need physical and mental educational strategies that will allow them to become active participants in the classroom environment while learning. She will also teach useful information that may be used in the workforce, since the readings suggests so (Fogarty & Pete (2007). There is very little information according to Fogarty & Pete (2007) concerning the adult learner however there are many institutions that gear their promotions to them. This researcher constantly receives electronic mail enticing the adult learner to their web sites and to on-line scholarships, so that they may continue to pursue their academic venues. This may be via the traditional mode or using the virtual paradigm. This researcher will also include hands on experiences in the learning process since adult learners like to learn what is practical for them (Fogarty & Pete, 2007). She will also use the adult learner as an invaluable resource in the classroom setting since they bring many experiences from past performances (Fogarty & Pete, 2007).). The adult learner also values the “reasoned opinion”, not the carrying on that the interviewee referred to in his interview. She will also take into account the four supporting assumptions concerning adult learners. They are diverse and active learners; they are problem-oriented; they control their learning; and, they have a strong sense of self. Given these assumptions this researcher will take them into account when developing curricula for the adult learners when a class has to be planned, designed, developed, implemented, and evaluated. In conclusion, she will continue to perform research in the adult learners´ field to be able to make a change in the deliverance of academic materials and classes. She will also take into account the variety of strategies aforementioned to maintain the adult learner attentive and proactively participating in class. REFERENCES Fogarty, R. & Pete, B. M. (2007). The adult learner: Things we know. Place: Corwin Press, Inc. Read More