In adult education, we recognize that each adult learner has their own strengths, needs, and motivations. Our teachers do their best to incorporate the principles of andragogy, or adult learning theory, into their instruction. In order for learning to be long-lasting and meaningful, you must be an active participant. That means you are in the driver's seat on your learning journey, while our staff is here to be your co-pilot and navigator. Imagine your mentor as your GPS. You know where you are and what you're end goal is, but we can direct you (and maybe point out some interesting stops along the way).
Driving your learning requires active engagement. Look at the continuum to the right and think about past courses you have experienced. Where did your level of engagement fall? What factors influenced your level of engagement?
Next, review the infographic below for a summary of Malcolm Knowles' Theory of Andragogy and think about whether the assumptions and principles he has included relate to you as an adult learner.
Image by pvproductions on Freepik
View the TED Talk by Barbara Oakley on Learning How to Learn. Click the button below for a handout to take notes and respond to the reflection questions. Submit the completed notes page to your instructor.
If you enjoyed learning from Barbara Oakley, you may want to enroll in and complete the course "Learning How to Learn" from Arizona State University. The first module is free to preview and includes many helpful resources. After reviewing module one, write an essay (3 paragraphs or more) on what you learned and how you plan to apply those strategies in your future studies and share your essay with your mentor.
If you choose to complete the full course, each module can count as a task toward course completion, totaling three tasks. For modules two and three, share a screenshot of the Coursera dashboard showing the completed course with your mentor. Full course enrollment costs $49.