Adult Learning: Andragogy

Adult learners usually approach learning differently than younger learners. Learning requires active exploration. As I researched the filed of Andragogy to gain more insight of how and what motivates adults to learn; I became very intrigued at some of the learning characteristics, styles, and theories in Adult Learning.

Adult Learners are more self-guided in their learning. Adult Learners bring more to a learning situation because of their wide range of experiences. Adult Learners requires learning to make sense. Adults have years of experience along with a good bit of knowledge. Adults have established values, beliefs, and opinions. Young learners don’t usually have the necessary experiential component to enrich a self-directed learning environment. For most youths, learning may be their primary and/or only life experiencing activity.

As an Adult Learner; I feel as though I relate more toward Reflective Thinking style and Kinesthetic Learning style. Reflective Thinkers view new information subjectively, relate new information to past experiences, and examine their feelings about what they are learning. Kinesthetic Learners process new information best when it can be touched or hands-on process. This brings me to assumption #2 of the “Way Adults Learn”. I think this theory relates to me most of all. This theory impacts my learning the most. Life experiences have imperative roles in how I process and relate new information.

As a Liberty University Online Student, I discover that it’s necessary to interact with others, listen openly, and reflect on different perspectives. I feel like this will allow me to gain guidance from instructors and mentors, to consider and welcome positive constructs; and to engage openly in discussion of ideas with others.