The theorist Malcom Knowles believed that adults learn differently than children do. He coined the term andragogy to refer to the teaching of adults as opposed to pedagogy – the teaching of children.

Characteristics of Adult Learners

• Adults are intrinsically motivated and liker to be in control of their learning. Their interest peaks when they use their own interests in education.
• Adult learning centers around life’s experiences. Learning becomes meaningful  to them when it centers on and validates their experiences in life.
• Adults are self-directed. They prefer to engage in a process of community inquiry rather than to having knowledge transmitted to them.
• Adult education must make optimal provision for differences in style, time, place, and pace of learning to account for individual differences among of different ages. [1]

Researcher Katy Herbold found that adults like the strategies of using

an “independent or online classroom study; a socially networked study; theoretical or applied activities; recorded discussions or lectures; discussion boards; selection of their own activities; and helping to build the course structure” [2].

When (re)designing eLearning, Herbold stresses the importance of using these adult learning concepts to effectively engage the learners.

Online education offers a distinct advantage over traditional education in the sense that it allows adult learners control over their education and a flexible learning schedule.

References

[1] Knowles, M., Holton, E., & Swanson, R. (2005). The adult learner. Burlington, MA: Elsevier. pp. 39-40

[2] Herbold, K. (2012). Giving student choice in online learning environments: Addressing adult learner needs. The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge and Society, 7(5), 117-125. Retrieved from http://www.Technology-Journal.com, ISSN 1832-3669, pp. 120 and 123.