Wendy Lowe (wlowe@tecsult.com)
Fri, 09 Apr 1999 11:07:41 -0400
Date: Fri, 09 Apr 1999 11:07:41 -0400 From: Wendy Lowe <wlowe@tecsult.com> Subject: Re: IFETS-DISCUSS Digest - 2 Apr 1999 to 3 Apr 1999
Ken:
I couldn't resist replying, wearing my hat as a former children's educator and
mother. So many of the criteria for well-designed adult education interventions
should be applied to what our children have to sit through 5 hours a day for
about 12 years.
Why should what they learn be any less relevant to the world they live in? And
when will we realise that children also like to know how they are progressing
(and not just a B either)? Why do we condescend to kids in our approach to
subject matter and in the way we try to sweeten the medecine? In many cultures,
children of about 7 or 8 assume many adult types of responsibilities.
All this in frustration as my sons struggle with lack of motivation. However, as
an adult educator now, I see so many principles from my former education that
can be transferred almost completely to what I develop.
I quote points from your posting below to highlight what I'm trying to say.
Substitute the words "People of all ages" for "adults"
> Adult learners are not a single classification of learners. There are adult
> learners who have a genuine interest or even a compelling need to achieve
> new skills and abilities.
>
> A large part of the learning process is driven by motivation.
> Adults will learn when your instruction is providing them with a perceived or
> real
> advantage.
> For adults, you must establish relevance for things you wish them to learn
> and especially things you wish them to adopt.
> ...adult learners fail when instruction fails to
> recognize their need to know they are getting better. You cannot expect
> them to sit still and wait until some future date when everything you are
> conveying to them will be made clear.
> People do learn and one of the things they have learned is to avoid
> instruction that has no basis in reality and that expects them to be passive
> participants.
Thanks
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