4 Chapter 3, Adult Learning

 

Discussion Topics

1.What are similarities and differences between adult learners and the more

traditional learners?

2.Why must training with adults differ from the methods used in secondary

schools, colleges, and most universities?

•Does the subject matter make a difference?

•Does the level of content make a difference?

 

Activities

1.Interview several non- traditional learners to determine their likes and

dislikes for training. Be sure to consider both the process of training and the

content of the training material. How does this differ from the students’ own

perception of classroom experiences? Discuss this in class.

 

2.Attend free public seminars (i.e. financial) and discuss the learning

approaches used by the instructors.

 

Test Questions

1.The authors believe that andragogy is an unnecessary term to describe adult education. (T)

2.Money and power are the only motivators of behavior and to gain acceptance of training. (F)

3.We generally all learn at about the same rate. (F)

4.Trainers use cognitive mapping to plot out the brain in a training program.

(F)

5.If trainees have uncomfortable seating, they are likely to learn more. (F)

6.The more we incorporate the life experiences of the trainees, the more we can expect them to retain. (T)

7.Using jargon is an excellent example of relating to a group of trainees. (F)

8.All of the following are key principles a trainer needs to be aware of regarding adult learners except, they: (a) are preoccupied with many demands on their time, (b) are motivated by money, (c) are motivated by self interest, (d) are attentive to those things they can learn by doing g, (e) adjust readily to change.

9. Adult learners retain and use training best when trainers: (a) use a lecture

only approach, (b) use both lecture and audiovisual aids, (c) focus on how

the training has helped the trainer, (d) incorporates the trainees’

experiences.

10. The U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare reported that

people retain_% of what they read. (a) 50, (b) 30, (c) 20, (d) 10, (e) 5.

 

11. Adults have: (a) less desire to learn than high school students, (b) clear

motivators to learn, (c) less ability to learn than high school students, (d)

not time to learn, (e) none of the above.

Learners retain: (a) 20 percent of what they read, (b) 90 percent of what

they hear, (c) 60 percent of what they see, (d) 70 percent of what they say,

(e) none of the above.

 

Essay

What might you do to make training in listening more effective with adult learners? (Substitute any topic for listening)

How would you design a training facility with the adult learner in mind?