Introduction to "Analyze Adult Learning Theory"

Video Transcription

Welcome to the unit-- analyze adult learning theories. The learning objectives in this unit include analyze Knowles' six principles of adult learning. Evaluate how to facilitate professional learning and professional development using Knowles' six principles. Analyze the use of collaborative site-based professional development as a best practice model for professional development planning and implementation. And reflect on the significance of shifting professional development to include adult learning principles and best practices in professional development.

We'll begin the unit by discussing the history and characteristics of adult learning. Adult learners simply differ from younger learners in a variety of important ways. In fact, andragogy-- the art and science of helping adults learn-- is an adult learning theory that is focused on this very idea.

So a central idea throughout the entire unit is going to be this idea of andragogy. How we can better understand be unique circumstances and needs of adult learners, and use that information to design learning experiences that are going to be effective and valuable to these adult learners. So part of andragogy then will be our study of Knowles' six assumptions of adult learning. I will introduce those six assumptions to you, and then they will remain a central focus throughout the rest of the unit as we consider our professional development and other adult learning situations, where we can put these assumptions to use.

Certainly, one of the most notable ways in which adult learning comes into play in the lives of teachers is through that job-embedded professional development. So that is going to lead us into our next learning objective for the unit-- evaluate how to facilitate professional learning and professional development using those six principles of adult learning. So not only is it important for us to understand the characteristics of adult learners through our study of andragogy, but we also want to be able to identify the characteristics of successful professional learning opportunities so that we can put these elements together in order to design the best possible professional learning for these adult students. We'll look at several different professional development models that you might already be implementing or that you might be considering implementing in the future.

And part of this is also going to be looking at adult learning in the digital age. How has adult learning changed over the last couple of decades, as technology has changed so rapidly? What are the implications then for adult learning, in general, and for professional learning, specifically?

Once we have an understanding of how to design effective professional development, keeping in mind these various adult learning theories, the next learning objective is going to ask us to analyze the use of that collaborative site-based professional development as a best practice model for professional development planning and implementation. We'll look here at the impact that no child left behind has on professional development. And we'll also talk about using PDSA cycle-- that's plan, do, study, and act-- as a tool in helping to foster the continuous improvement cycle that we want to have happening with all teachers.

And finally, we'll talk in this learning objective about the very important element of teacher voice and choice in our professional development. Teachers find that professional development is much more effective and much more meaningful if they are allowed choices and if their input in those activities is valued. And so we will talk about some ways to implement that into our professional development design and analysis.

Our final learning objective then in this unit will wrap all of this up. After learning about the various adult learning theories, after learning how to design effective professional development experiences for the teachers in our district, and after analyzing our use of those adult learning theories in the development of those activities, we'll have a chance here to reflect on the significance of shifting professional development to include those adult learning principles and best practices. We'll learn how to reflect using both the Pappas model and using elements of the specific adult learning theories. And I'll also introduce to you, Brookfield's four lenses for self-reflection.

During this learning objective, then, you can use some or all of these methods to do your own reflecting. To analyze whether you have successfully implemented these adult learning theories and these methods into your professional development design, and as a participant in the professional learning opportunities. Because that's an element here, also. Understanding these adult learning theories can help us to be a better adult learners, also.

To recap, the learning objectives in this unit will include analyze Knowles' six principles of adult learning. Evaluate how to facilitate professional learning and professional development using Knowles' six principles. Analyze the use of collaborative site-based professional development as a best practice model for professional development planning and implementation. And reflect on the significance of shifting professional development to include those adult learning principles and to include best practices of professional development.

So before we jump in, here's a chance for you to stop and reflect. Take some time to consider professional learning experiences that you've had in the past that perhaps weren't as successful as they could have or should have been. In contrast, think of some professional learning experiences that were very successful. As we progress through the unit, you may find it helpful to reflect on activities at both ends of that spectrum.

So welcome to the unit. I hope you'll join me in my upcoming tutorials.

For more information on how to apply what you learned in this video, please view the Additional Resources section that accompanies this video presentation. The Additional Resources section includes hyperlinks useful for applications of the course material, including a brief description of each resource.

Thanks for joining me today. Have a great day.