Barriers to learning
description
Transcript of Barriers to learning
PROJECT
DUE DATE COURSEJANUARY 16 2013 BEC910CE- ADULT EDUCATION
Barriers to Adult LearningBy: Patti Blight, Sarah Cancelliere, Danielle Gunton, Avril Reid, Kerry Weir
What are some common barriers experienced by adult learners when they choose to return to school or participate in workplace training?
ATTITUDINAL BARRIERS
YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG
NEW TRICKS…OR CAN YOU?
THE CASE
• Anita is over 50 • She has been in her job for 20 years•Her job is being outsourced• She can not afford to retire• She needs to develop new skills • She needs to go back to school
THE BARRIER
“Many adults have experienced so much criticism, failure, and discouragement in their youth that their self-confidence and sense of worth are damaged. In a new learning environment, adults often are anxious, fear failure, and dread rejection by their peer group (Kennedy, 2003).”
ALLEVIATING THE FEARS
Provide a safe and welcoming environment
Have students interact and discuss prior experiences
Have students explain their goals
Provide students with detailed course outline and expectations
THE EDUCATOR
“Part of being an effective educator involves
understanding how adults learn best (Lieb,1991)”.
APPLYING KNOWLES
KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES
1. Adults are internally motivated and self-directed
EDUCATOR’S ROLEBe a facilitator:
Understand how adults learn and allow students to participate in the direction of the class
Recognize and accommodate different learning styles
APPLYING KNOWLES
KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES
2. Adults bring life experiences and knowledge to learning experiences
EDUCATOR’S ROLE
Acknowledge value of previous experience
APPLYING KNOWLES
KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES
3. Adults are goal oriented
EDUCATOR’S ROLE
Show direct link between course material and student’s goals
Use real case studies to examine theory
APPLYING KNOWLES
KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES
4. Adults are relevancy oriented
EDUCATOR’S ROLE
Provide assignment options that reflect student interests
Provide students with reflective questions to assess connection to goals
APPLYING KNOWLES
KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES
5. Adults are practical
EDUCATOR’S ROLE
Encourage active participation allowing students to experiment and develop self efficacy
Provide feedback on a regular basis
APPLYING KNOWLES
KNOWLES’ PRINCIPLES
6. Adult learners like to be respected
EDUCATOR’S ROLE
Acknowledge past experienceTreat adult learner as an equalPromote an environment for expression of ideas