Adult Learning Principles
From Learning and training wiki
 ADULT LEARNING PRINCIPLES |
| Ideas and methods which can be built into training programs that give incentive to adults to learn, and ensure that activities are based on learner’s needs and interests. Malcolm Knowles was among the first to theorize on how adults learn (1970). Knowles described Adult learning as a process of self-directed inquiry. He identified six principles of adult learning, which describe adult learners as: |
| Principles | Content |
|---|---|
| 1. Internally motivated and self-directed | Adults receive their motivation to learn from internal factors and need to be free to direct themselves. They like to have control over their own learning. |
| 2. Life experienced | Adults have accumulated a foundation of life experience and knowledge that include work related activities, family responsibilities, and previous education. Adults draw upon past experiences to help their learning. |
| 3. Goal oriented | Adults learn to attain their goals. |
| 4. Relevancy oriented | Adults need to have a reason for learning and projects are designed to fulfill their interests. |
| 5. Practical | Adults are ready to apply new knowledge immediately in problem solving. What adults learn must be useful and/or applicable to their workplace. |
| 6. Respected | Adults need to be shown respect. |
 Web Resources |
| Link | Content | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting more from e-learning
(Video, 30 minutes) |
This is an excerpt from the presentation of Bryan Hopkins about concepts and guidelines for adult learning and e-learning held at the UNITAR Headquarters in Geneva, 6 April 2011. | |
| Getting more from e-Learning
(Slideshow) |
The presentation of Bryan Hopkins about concepts and guidelines for adult learning and e-Learning held at the UNITAR Headquarters in Geneva, 6 April 2011. (To open the file, right click and select Open in a New Tab.) | |
| Principles of Adult Learning Slideshare
(Slideshow) |
These slides briefly describe the principles of adult learning. | |
| The principles of Adult Learning
(Infographic) |
Despite the enormous amount of books, essays and journals that cover the topic, we are far from a universal acceptance of the principles of adult learning. This infographic illustrates who Adult Learners are. |