Adult Learning Theory: Everything eLearning Professionals Should Know
In 1968, Malcolm Shephard Knowles put forward a theory that distinguished adult learning (andragogy) from childhood learning (pedagogy). He expounded his ideas using five main assumptions. Out of these five points, he extrapolated four principles to make adult learning education more effective. Ηis theory still holds water. It's closely referenced in the development of eLearning material. Here are 15 notable facts and tips about adult learning theory that you may want to consider before creating your next eLearning course.
Adult Learning Facts And Stats For eLearning Professionals
In order to create meaningful eLearning experiences, you have to know how to approach your adult audience from an Instructional Design standpoint. How do they assimilate knowledge? What are their key motivators? How can you create the most effective eLearning environment based on their needs? Here are key adult learning principles that are backed by adult learning facts and stats.
1. Adult Learners Have A Well-Established Sense Of Self
In childhood, we model ourselves off our parents and siblings. As teenagers, we pull away from family to mimic our friends and peer groups. It isn't until adulthood that we pick-and-choose from these two stages. We form a complete entity we call our 'self' and can be very attached to it. Even if we're not emphatic about identity politics, we do have a clear sense of self. We know we're distinct and separate from those around us. This affects our decisions and actions. In a training context, this means we want a say in our eLearning courses. We require a healthy sense of autonomy in learning. Otherwise, we soon lose interest.
2. Past Experiences Play A Pivotal Role In Adult Learning
Kids go to school with a good deal of knowledge, but it's not necessarily academic. By pre-school, they vaguely know how to share and speak. But there's lots of space for fresh data. Adults, on the other hand, have a world of experience behind them both academic and social. To teach them effectively, you have to feed into what they already know. Piggy-back off that and launch new concepts. This is crucial, because if your new data clashes with their existing knowledge base, they're not likely to accept it. You have to skillfully integrate into their lived experience, becoming an active part of their thought process.
3. Adult Learning Is Purpose Driven
Kids go to school because they're supposed to. Adults learn because they see the relevance. If they don't train, it could cost them a non-compliance fine or a promotion. They consciously decide to pick up a new skill or polish a valued hobby. It's a choice, not a duty. So their learning needs to be goal oriented. They have to see measurable learning objectives and have a clear system of gauging their progress. Otherwise, they'll just walk out of class. An eLearning course for adult learners must be tied to real-world applications. For example, incorporate simulations or real-world examples that allow them to see how the skill relates to their job duties or will help them overcome a challenge that is hindering their work performance.
4. Adult Learning Relies On A Readiness To Learn
Closely tied into their practicality is their willingness to attend the eLearning course. They paid for this eLearning course themselves or were sponsored by their employer. But they're still aware they're in the session by choice, so they're open to learning. They see the value in it and can comprehend the big picture. This makes them more receptive to study the online training material. It also makes them more discerning. They can recognize quality and are more vocal in demanding it. They relate to online instructors and eLearning course designers as peers, since they're fellow adults. They rarely hold them in awe or derision like kids do with their teachers. Keep online training material relevant and task based to tap into their openness and interest.
5. Adult Learners Are Driven By Internal Motivation
Kids can be trained with 'carrots and sticks'. They want their teacher to like them, and they're eager for those gold stars. They're scared of disapproval. These polar emotions can keep them working hard, at least for a while. Adults develop their own methods of motivation. Focus their online training on problem-solving. Rote learning doesn't do them much good. There's no stage in their workday when they'll need to recite their lessons. Instead, offer simulations and contextual role play, showing how to translate their online training into real life. This will keep them coming back to class.
6. Mistakes Are Often The Most Valuable Teacher
The adult learning theory hinges on experiential learning. Which means that adults are encouraged to explore the subject matter firsthand and learn from their mistakes. For example, participate in branching scenarios that show them how their actions or behaviors lead to real consequences. As a result, they are less likely to make those mistakes in the workplace and continually develop their experiential knowledge.
7. Adult Learners Must Play An Active Role In The eLearning Course Design Process
A core principle of the adult learning theory is that online learners must be actively involved in the process so that they're empowered and motivated. They should play a part in developing eLearning content, evaluating performance, and creating training criteria. Conduct surveys to get their feedback, then invite them to sit through a test course to identify gaps. They should also be able to personalize their learning paths and choose eLearning activities that are relevant to them and their job duties. Namely, resources that allow them to immediately apply what they've learned and address individual pain points.
8. Consider Instruction Vs Autonomy
Based on a report released by the Center on Education and the Workforce of Georgetown University, 70% of college students work while enrolled. If we add up the number of employees who attend online training programs, we may assume that creating an eLearning course for adult learners also means we must consider the time constraints of our audience. A good eLearning course should minimize instruction provided by the online instructor, but maximize autonomy for the online learner. In this manner, they can study the online training materials when they have room in their schedules.
9. Adult Learners Relate To Life Experiences
When you create an eLearning course, you do not only incorporate theory. Even though theories and models are essential to provide your adult learners with valuable information, incorporating some of your own life experiences makes the eLearning experience more powerful. So, if you are currently creating online training material for your eLearning course, be sure to look for places where you can tap into relatable anecdotes, examples, and stories.
10. Different Backgrounds Call For Diversity Of Online Training Content
If you are providing an advanced eLearning course, it is likely you will have people with completely different academic and professional backgrounds among your adult learner population. Since you need to deal with such a diverse range of knowledge base, you will need to diversify the online training materials you offer too. Starting with the basics and offering additional online training resources for adult learners who want to explore the topic further would be a good practice. In addition, make sure your adult learners know you are available if they experience any problems with the eLearning content you are providing.
11. It's Essential To Engage Your Adult Learners On Social Media Platforms
To keep self-guided adult learners engaged, provide plenty of social learning opportunities so that they can participate in online discussions and share their thoughts. It is important to incorporate many social media platforms into your eLearning course. For example, create a Facebook group and post relevant links that relate to the subject matter. You should also introduce your adult learners to professional social media platforms such as LinkedIn, and encourage them to start their own eLearning blog or online discussion.
12. Identify Potential Obstacles Beforehand
Adult learners are dealing with a variety of everyday challenges and stressors, from busy schedules and personal obligations to family emergencies. Identifying those obstacles in your eLearning course could be of tremendous value for your adult learners. Make an overview of possible obstacles that may distract adult learners from their goals. Then figure out ways to minimize their impact on the overall eLearning experience. You can also offer your adult learners online support resources, such as microlearning online training libraries and online discussions where they can catch up to speed.
13. Goal-Centered Learning Is Essential
Adult learners tend to focus on practical knowledge that allows them to achieve their goals. However, they must be able to see a direct correlation between the eLearning content and their personal or professional objectives. For this reason, it's wise to break long-term goals into manageable milestones and give adult learners the opportunity to track them via progress bars and checklists.
14. Adult Learners Prefer A Hands-On Approach
Even though the learning process takes place online for the most part, it is still necessary to give your adult learners experiences in the real world. According to the American Society for Training & Development, the retention rate for experiential knowledge is an impressive 75%. As a result, adult learners need hands-on experience. For example, invite them to watch a video demo and apply what they've learned via an eLearning simulation. In short, adult learners must be able to put their knowledge into practice and apply their skills in a contextual manner. eLearning activities with real-life applications could include online interviews with professionals via social media, eLearning simulations, branching scenarios, and case studies. To ensure your eLearning activities will provide value to prospective adult learners, it's wise to put your ideas in front of a focus group or use a poll. Based on the response of the focus group, you can make sure that your eLearning activities are geared toward your target audience.
15. Give Adult Learners Time To Absorb Information
Even if there is a tremendous amount of information to cover, it is important to give your adult learners enough time to process the information you provide. During this time, you could provide them with assignments and applications to help them process the information. It's also important to encourage your adult learners to reflect on the subject matter and see how it relates to real-world challenges or situations. This makes the eLearning experience more relevant and relatable. You can also break up online lessons. When there is a lot of information to cover, it is often very tempting to provide long online lessons. Unfortunately, there is proof that adult learners can only focus their attention for about 20 minutes. Therefore, it is necessary to proceed to content chunking of the online training material with regular breaks, so as to ensure your adult learners can assimilate the information presented.
Conclusion
These principles can help you provide truly effective eLearning courses to your adult learners. Adult learners are looking for practical eLearning that gives them the tools they need to succeed without making them rearrange their busy schedules or put their personal obligations on the back burner.
Some of Knowles' concepts of andragogy are generally accepted. Others are disputed because they overlap with pedagogy. Further research has shown that childhood to adult learning is a spectrum. Some kids are precocious and some adults are immature where online training is concerned. That said, Knowles' adult learning theory states adults have a developed sense of self, prior experience, practical reasons for learning. They're ready to learn and internally motivated. As a result, their online training programs should be self-directed, relevant, contextual, and task-based. They should be less theoretical and more hands-on.
Do adults learn in the same way as their younger counterparts? Or do they need their own special approach to absorb the information? Do you know what your adult learners need to achieve their goals and tackle everyday challenges? Are you looking for ways to keep your adult learners engaged during your eLearning course? Download our free eBook Designing eLearning Courses For Adult Learners: The Complete Guide to find out about the adult learner characteristics, the obstacles they need to overcome, ways to engage and motivate busy adult learners, and some amazing adult learning facts and stats you need to know as an eLearning pro.
