Characteristics of Adult Learners

In terms of learning, adults are not oversized children. Maturity brings unique features that affect adult learning motivation. By attracting the unique qualities of adult learners, you can design more effective and motivated online courses. The following is a list of general functions common to many though not all adult learners.

Autonomy Adults often prefer control and self-orientation. They like choice and choice in the learning environment. Given appropriate initial support, even adults who are anxious under voluntary guidance can understand this approach.

It is goal-oriented. Many adults have certain goals they want to achieve. They are more actively involved in learning activities that help them achieve their goals.

In fact, adults in the work place prefer practical knowledge and experience to make work easier or to acquire important skills. In other words, adults need personal relationships in learning activities.

Ability and Proficiency It is advised to acquire the skills of the workplace in order to increase confidence and improve self-esteem

Abundant Knowledge In traveling from childhood to adulthood, people have accumulated their own knowledge and experience. They incorporate this depth and extensive knowledge into the learning environment.

It is intentional. Workplace training is often part of a changing initiative. Adults want to understand the purpose of training and the motivation to organize training programs

Through emotional disability experiences, adults are afraid of topics, concerned about topics, or they may be offended by compulsory changes in responsibilities and policies. These emotions may interfere with the learning process

Result oriented. Adults are result oriented. They have specific expectations about the content of their learning activities and if they do not meet their expectations, they often give up voluntary learning.

External Responsibility Most adult learners have a lot of responsibilities and obligations for family, friends, community, and work. Saving learning time will affect adult learners

Potential Physical Restrictions Depending on the age and physical condition, adult learners slow to acquire psychomotor skills rather than younger students, read small fonts, or watch small images on computer screens , It may be more difficult.

Overall picture Adults need a comprehensive understanding of what they are learning. They need to know how the widget fits into a larger landscape

I have a self-responsibility. Adult learners are usually responsible for their own success or failure.

You need a community. Many voluntary adult learners prefer a learning community that interacts with them and talks about problems

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Numerous studies have investigated the characteristics of adult learners in the university's classroom and provided substantial but unconditional support for the assumptions related to the theoretical framework for adult learning and development above. In my own chapter on the new direction of student services in 2003, I am paying more attention to the needs of adult students. And there is a chance to instruct themselves. Also, since contact with higher education in the past, and social and cultural backgrounds are not regarded as the whole group, learning style and preference also differ.

Adult learners survey: support is no longer a prerequisite for non-traditional student groups

Among many theorists in adult learning, Malcolm S. Knowles's "neurology" concept seeks to establish a comprehensive theory (or model) of adult learning based on the characteristics of adult learners (Merriam and Caffarella, 1991: 249, cited) summarizes five important assumptions about the different features of adult learner and pedagogy in 2002 by Smith. Because, when a person matures, the person's self concept changes from a dependent character to a voluntary person. Therefore, unlike children who are often "forced" to school, adults are easy to understand deciding whether to learn or not. Second, as people mature, he has accumulated more and more experiences and has become increasingly more learning resources.