Natalie Rodriguez

HE521 Teaching Adult Learners

Formal setting

Adjunct

Teaches at an online university in the College of Graduate Education

Teaching Adults- 5 yrs.

Teaching Children- 20 yrs.

Instructor Background

All learners need to be motivated

Humor creates a natural connection

Gets the brain more actively involved

Eases the learner

Motivation differs from adult and child

Adults are self-motivated based on value

Children are motivated based on expectations set by their parents

Teaching Adults Online vs. Teaching Children

Teachers need to personalize instruction

Make the content relevant to the student

The process of teaching impacts the effectiveness of the students learning

Motivating Adults

Being inspired by the responses of some students

How students apply what they are learning to their current work settings

Content is applicable across all ages of learners (adults, leadership, children, middle schooler’s)

Likes Most About Teaching Online

Time commitmentGrading assignments in a timely manner.Feedback for growth Instructor presenceAdjunct- working late nights

FeedbackSandwich approach Positive, constructive, and ends positive.

Learners academic skillsSome could have stronger writing skills Impedes understanding the content

Challenges Teaching Online

Communication

Word choice

Direct communication must be softer

Don’t over emphasize the negative

What students really want

To apply knowledge to the real-world

Learned By Teaching Online

PersonalizationApply to students work setting

RepetitionExpectationsWeekly announcementsClear and consistent

Examples/SamplesStudents previous work

Prepare

Quality will improve with time and planning

Knowledgeable with the content

Review new editions of text when implemented

Be consistent

Understand the time commitment

Feedback is better if timely

Balance time with returning assignments

Use track changes

Advice for New Instructor

Clear expectations

Rubrics are adhered to by instructor and student

Use the Power of 20

Chunk learning into 20 minute intervals

Use humor

Communicate often

Preparation is essential to provide a conducive

learning environment

Knowledgeable of the content

Galbraith (2004) states that knowledge of content is associated with the "characteristics of successful adult educators" (p.98).

Adults are motivated differently as we mature; more independent and controlling over their learning (Spear’s model) (Galbraith, 2004).

Summary

Model behavior

Teachers who genuinely model positive behavior will project credibility and students will begin to model this behavior with their peers through high levels of collaboration.

Communicate effectively

An effective teacher must also possess good personality characteristics, interpersonal skills, and positive behaviors (Galbraith, 2004).

Use humor Interpersonal skills are essential when interacting with

students to enhance learning (Malik & ul Ain, 2012).

Use real-world examples (Garrison’s model) (As

cited in Merriam et al., 2007).

High instructor presence

In Brydges, Nair, Ma, Shanks, & Hatala’s (2012) study of instructor-led and self-regulated learning, rapid skill acquisition and an association with increased confidence comes from immediate and concurrent feedback during practice.

Brydges, R., Nair, P., Ma, I., Shanks, D., & Hatala, R. (2012).

Directed self-regulated learning versus instructor-regulated learning in simulation training. Medical Education, 46(7). Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.lib.kaplan.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=beb29e30-b214-462f-88de-c8a1d4c6e08f%40sessionmgr4005&hid=4208

Galbraith, M. W. (2004). Adult learning methods: A guide for effective instruction (3rd ed.). Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company

Malik, S. K., & ul Ain, Q. (2012). Prospective teachers’ awareness about interpersonal skills- A comparative study. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 3(11). Retrieved from http://journal-archieves16.webs.com/514-522.pdf

References

Merriam, S., Caffarella, R., & Baumgartner, L. (2007).

Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Slide one image- Adapted from “Can Virtual Classrooms Recreate a Traditional College Experience?”, by K. Freeman, 2013, http://mashable.com/2013/01/25/virtual-classroom-experience-online-education/

References