Perspectives on Adult Learners

A mature adult generally does not learn new concepts in the same manner as a child or even a young adult. Mature adults have many life-learned experiences that place them in a different category from younger learners, primarily because they are older, have more experience with real-life situations and complexities, and have different needs and desires to learn.

Adult learners tend to seek out situations where they can gain knowledge and learn new things that are directly related to their personal or professional lives. As an adult, it is not mandatory to attend school on a daily, structured basis. Adults can choose to attend higher-education classes or seminars to enhance and develop their knowledge in a particular area of interest. An adult does not generally enroll in courses that teach a wide variety of subjects, but rather courses that touch on specific life issues or new approaches to problem solving.

Adults are motivated to learn when they self-enroll themselves in courses or training programs because they don’t feel as if they are obligated under some sort of rule or law to participate. Adults are more apt to be self-directed and want to learn, as opposed to feeling like they are obligated to learn.

Before enrolling in school, a course, a seminar, or a training session, adults may not realize that their learning experience will be different from what they experienced as children or young adults in school. As adults, they will most likely take a more active role in planning which courses to take, how successful they will be in the class, and deciding which subject areas are relevant to their own personal or professional lives.

When you take into consideration what motivates an adult to learn, you become a better trainer! Next week, I will touch on some theories that spell out the why's and how's to prepare learning that is interesting, relevant and will benefit the learner in their personal and/or profesisonal life.