Teaching Adults Workshop1a/Action

Teaching Adults

A workshop for Otago/Southland Regional KidStart Visiting Teachers - October 2010

Welcome  |  Facilitating Learning  |  Action  |  Discussion  |  Adult Learning  |  Resources  | 

Teaching is listening

Action that you choose to take in terms of facilitating learning will depend upon may factors including the learner's:

• context
• past learning experiences
• learning preferences/styles
• motivation
• readiness to learn
• commitment and the impact of other distractions.

Learning preferences

If choosing actions/strategies considering the adult's learning preferences there are many different possible approaches If considering Neil Flemings VARK model:

• For visual learners you could use charts, maps, diagrams, and mind maps

• For aural learners you could have conversations, discussions, use stories, audiotapes/mp3 recordings, even podcasts

• For read/write learners you could use hand outs and encourage them to take their own notes. As Fleming suggests it's "words, words, words"

• For kinasthetic learners offer practical or virtual experiences, demonstrations and simulations

Of course there are many more learning styles and preferences and these are influences not only by individual preference but also by learning experience.

Key points

*Find out who your learner is? What preferences for learning do they have? What has influenced their thoughts on, and barriers to learning? What will motivate them to learn? before deciding on action If learning does not appear to be happening: stop reflect on why be aware of your own assumptions change the approach Constantly hitting someone on the head with a softball bat will only reinforce the learning that it hurts to get hit on the head with a softball bat!