When I look at this question from the opposite lens there is one immediate similarity. The importance of offering options, independence, and guidance (rather than direct instruction) are key for motivation. Both children and adults need to have that excitement in education. The differences start to become more evident when thinking about how to influence student motivation. Adults are greatly influenced by their environment and experiences. This directly affects the way they look at learning, new content, teachers, and the learning experience. Deb Peterson wrote in her article, “5 Principles for the Teacher of Adult Learners,” that there are five set principles for the adult learner:
Through my online research I found, not surprisingly, a common message: adults need active learning experiences. Just like children, adults don’t learn best through traditional lecture. A few examples of this type of teaching/mentoring are case studies, role plays, classroom training, experiential learning, games, simulations, projects, and self-studies (Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, 2012). Papa, R. (2011). Technology Leadership for School Improvement. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications,Inc.http://egandb.uas.alaska.edu:2051/login.aspxdirect=true&db=nlebk&AN=467141&site=ehost-live&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_91 on March 11, 2017
Peterson, Deb. (2017). 5 Principles for the Teacher of Adults. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/principles-for-the-teacher-of-adults-31638 Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. 2012. Effective Adult Learning: a toolkit for teaching adults. Retrieved from https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/evaluation/documents/effective-adult-learning-a-toolkit-for-teaching-adults
3 Comments
Natalie
3/25/2017 02:47:14 pm
I liked all of your examples of active learning experiences for adults: role plays, classroom training, experiential learning, games, simulations, projects, and self-studies
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Tristan
3/26/2017 02:25:07 pm
I think one reason I have enjoyed these technology classes as well as my math classes I have taken the last three years is that I have the freedom to learn in my own way. I can watch videos, read articles, answer the question how I interpret it and make choices on what I write about (in my math classes). This has helped me learn more about what interests me that I may have not taken the time to learn on my own time.
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3/26/2017 05:15:30 pm
Jule,
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Author2nd Grade teacher at Keet Gooshi Heen in Sitka, Alaska Archives
April 2017
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