Adult Learner’s Needs
To effectively comprehend adult learners, we must first understand their motivation. Adult learners’ demands and incentives have been recognised in research. Here are some common adult learner needs:
Adults need appropriate information. Instruction should be designed around needs. Changes in personal or professional conditions inspire people to learn. Relevant training should address these issues. Adults need to understand the “why” and how it applies to their work environment.
Adults must understand their roles. Adults need to know what is expected of them. Expectations (such learning goals) should be mentioned clearly at the start of the meeting. This includes explaining the session’s “why” and including adults in the learning activities.
Adults require activities/opportunities to connect new knowledge to prior knowledge. Every aspect of an adult’s life is brought to the training environment. Remembering and building on prior experiences promotes learning. Trainers may help their children learn by sharing their experiences.
Adults must feel appreciated for their viewpoints. Adult learners must feel welcomed, respected, and appreciated for their thoughts and experiences. Adults need a sense of importance and relevance in their employment.
Adults need a range of information sources. They learn in many ways. Adults cannot all be taught in the same way. Learning is better when it integrates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (tactile) techniques.
Adults must actively participate in learning. Adults learn better when actively engaged and given plenty of opportunities to practise. Adults may participate in their own education via participation. Adults learn by doing.
Adults need self-direction. Adults who can direct and concentrate their learning benefit from it. Self-guided learning engages participants and fosters ownership of the process.
Adults need no more worry. In order for adults to learn well, they must be both mentally and physically calm. Defensive or fearful feelings might stifle Adult learners require a secure and supportive atmosphere that values their individuality, talents, and life expectations. They need an environment that promotes intellectual freedom, exploration, and creativity.
Adults require performance feedback. Adults require help assessing their progress. Immediate feedback encourages new learning and redirects learners when they wander. Adults need affirmations as well as precise advice.
Adults require urgent opportunity to apply new information and skills. Adults must immediately apply what they learn. They may use the knowledge or abilities immediately, reinforcing the new information. With immediate usage, the adult learner may easily relate a learning activity to the application of new information. Instantaneity “locks in” fresh knowledge.
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