Understanding Adult Learning Theories

The 6 Principles of Andragogy

1. The Role of Experience

4. Readiness to Learn5. Orientation to Learning6. Intrinsic Motivation

The role of experience pertains to how learners utilize their prior knowledge and apply it to their learning process. An instructional coach in this principle would ask insightful questions to their student about their past experiences. This would draw from their prior knowledge and encourage reflection about these experiences. Connections can form as they synthesize and discuss new material (Conaway & Zorn-Arnold, 2015). A teaching strategy that would be beneficial to the adult learner would be creating a KWL chart (what I know, what I want to know, and what I learned) online using Padlet. This can be used when introduced a concept, and throughout the process of learning more about the content. Students can add to the chart and must respond to other learners.

Self-directedness is when students can make choices independently while knowing the possible outcomes of their decisions (Conaway & Zorn-Arnold, 2015). An instructional coach may support whatever choices the adult learners are making, and help them through the various outcomes that may arise. A teaching strategy that would work well could be a whole group discussion focused on goal setting. The teacher may ask for individual goals, and how they could reach them. Learners may journal about these goals.

What learners need to know applies to having relevant, understandable concepts to aid learners to reach attainable goals (Conaway & Zorn-Arnold, 2015). An instructional coach may form meaningful connections between goals, concepts and prior knowledge. They may use this to explain the benefits of knowing the provided information (Conaway & Zorn-Arnold, 2016-a). A teaching strategy that would work for this principle would be using graphic organizers, always have the end goal of a concept first. Teachers would explicitly relate each lesson to this end goal and add to the chart, so students can understand the "why."

Adult learners tend to learn from past mistakes and are ready to take on the "student role" again (Conaway & Zorn-Arnold, 2015). An instructional coach may evaluate learner's emotions towards learning and provide feedback on their progress within the course (Conaway & Zorn-Arnold, 2016-b). A teaching strategy would be to use discussion boards to learn about students. This ensures content relates to student interest and can help provide purpose to their learning.

Adult learners thrive in a learner-centered or problem-centered environment in order to have a bigger responsibility within the learning process (Conaway & Zorn-Arnold, 2015). An instructional coach may grow a learner's confidence by allowing them to make and correct their mistakes throughout their learning process. A teaching strategy that would be helpful to this principe would be a choice board. For assignments, students can decide how they would like to demonstrate learned concepts. This allows them freedom to produce their work in a way that interests them.

Adult learners no longer need rewards for learning like children. An instructional coach may remind their learners of their "why" they are here. Adult learners are their for either professional or personal growth, and coaches would have regular, meaningful discussions about their goals. Current event reports are a teaching strategy that would work well with this principle. Current event reports correlate directly to a learner's interests and goals, and are problem-based (Conaway & Zorn-Arnold, 2016-b).

Andragogy

Andragogy correlates to adult learners. Adult learners are responsible for their learning, have more past experiences to apply to their learning, and are intrinsically motivated. They environements are more learner-centered and apply to life skills they need. (Pappas, 2015). The significance to adult education includes having more applications to the field that directly correlates with them.

Pedagogy correlates to child learners. They depend on their teachers for their learning topics and to create experiences for application later. They are extrinsically motivated and work in a subject-centered environment (Pappas, 2015). The significance to adult education is that it is the foundation of prior knowledge to apply to their adult education which will lead to future mastery.

Pedagogy

Two Andragogical Strategies to engage adult learners during instructional coaching

1. A learner-centered approach can utilize what you know about your learners to engage them into the material. Coaches should give opportunities to explore, as students need to focus on the "why" and the process of concepts. Simulations, role-playing scnearios, and doing their own research would benefit adult learners.

2. A problem-centered approach is also beneficial to adult learners. Coaching adult learners through given obstacles cultivates inquiry, experience and gives them in-the-moment feedback. Coaches should find resources, making connections and applying them to real life. Problem solving gives learners insight and understanding on related concepts (Conaway & Zorn-Arnold, 2015).