Hello instructors. As usual, I have been doing some reading/researching for something interesting and valuable to share to you all. Today, I have stumbled upon Faculty Focus which provides tips for higher education. I wanted to provide these five tips on teaching adult students:
- Treat them like the adults they are. Adult learners are
generally more sophisticated and experienced than their younger counterparts
and they benefit from realistic examples of skills they can use in “real life.”
“Adult learners will be empowered as they discover they have a great deal to
teach their younger classmates, and the dynamic is mutually beneficial,” said
Thomas Lisack, an instructor at Rasmussen College in Wausau, WI. Lisack recommends
incorporating intergenerational discussions on issues that otherwise have a
generational divide as appropriate for the subject matter to engage learners of
all ages.
- Be aware that their classroom skills may be “rusty.” Some
adult learners have not been in a classroom for 30 years, so you may need to
remind them of basic rules and etiquette, such as raising a hand if you have a
question. At the same time, reassure them that, as the instructor, you will not
be judgmental of their life experiences or their perspectives, and that they
will be evaluated only on their mastery of the content. Be generous when it
comes to formatting issues such as APA writing guidelines. Instead, focus on
content. “I have found adult learners to be self-conscious, even apologetic,
when it comes to being in the classroom,” Lisack noted. “They might even
exhibit some shame because they feel decades behind their classmates. The more
you can break down these walls of insecurity, the better.”
- Consider and acknowledge the technology gap. Students
in their 50s and 60s are generally not nearly as tech savvy—or tech dependent,
as some would argue—as 18 or even 30 year olds. Assess each student’s level of
proficiency as it relates to class requirements and compensate. Lisack said he
once spent three hours after class teaching a group of displaced workers—many
of whom had never used a computer—the finer points of Microsoft Word. “The
students were very grateful. I felt I’d accomplished something important to help
them on their educational journey and it was very satisfying,” he said. Even if
they are skilled with technology, adult learners tend to have dramatically
different habits. “While younger students may be tethered to technology, adults
have longer attention spans and traditional classroom approaches appeal to
them,” Lisack said. “This does not mean you can lecture to them for three
hours, but you can expect the older learner to concentrate on complex material
without feeling ‘withdrawal’ of from a technology device.”
- Be efficient with lessons and activities. “Move fast
and don’t waste anyone’s time,” advises Andrea Leppert, adjunct instructor at
Rasmussen College in Aurora/Naperville, IL. “Adult students have jobs,
sometimes children and tons of responsibilities, so pack every class with
information and useful activities.” Consider balancing instructional time with
“lab” time, giving students an opportunity to do modeling work or homework in
class to give them a better chance of accomplishing all the requirements on
time. Leppert also suggests being “strictly flexible” — diligent in your
expectations, yet understanding about busy lives, illness and working late.
“Like any job, it’s not to be abused, but as grown-ups, we have priorities that
sometimes take precedent over finishing assignments,” she said. “Build in
safety nets that allow a limited number of late assignments to maintain
flexibility, accountability and expectations of excellent work.”
- Be creative: Use the unique vibe or personality of each
class to teach the lesson and choose activities that engage, and even entertain
to some degree. Pair highly motivated students with those less skilled on
projects to create peer encouragement and mentoring. Leppert says this strategy
keeps students interested, attendance high and motivation strong.
No comments:
Post a Comment