Interview with a Professional Teacher of Adult Learners Natalie Rodriguez HE521 Teaching Adult Learners
Jan 16, 2015
Interview with a Professional
Teacher of Adult Learners
Natalie RodriguezHE521 Teaching Adult Learners
Formal setting Adjunct Teaches at an online
university in the College of Graduate Education
Teaching Adults- 5 yrs. Teaching Children- 20
yrs.
Instructor Background
All learners need to be motivated Humor creates a natural connection
Gets the brain more actively involved Eases the learner
Motivation differs from adult and child Adults are self-motivated based on value Children are motivated based on expectations
set by their parents
Teaching Adults Online vs. Teaching Children
Teachers need to personalize instruction. Make the content relevant to the student. The process of teaching impacts the
effectiveness of the students learning.
Motivating Adults
Being inspired by the responses of
some students. How students apply what they are
learning to their current work settings.
Content is applicable across all ages of learners (adults, leadership, children, middle schooler’s).
Likes Most About Teaching Online
Time commitment
Grading assignments in a timely manner. Feedback for growth Instructor presence
Adjunct- working late nights Feedback
Sandwich approach Positive, constructive, and ends positive.
Learners academic skills Some could have stronger writing skills Impedes understanding the content
Challenges Teaching Online
Communication
Word choice Direct communication must be softer Don’t over emphasize the negative
What students really want To apply knowledge to the
real-world
Learned By Teaching Online
Personalization
Apply to students work setting Repetition
Expectations Weekly announcements Clear and consistent
Examples/Samples Students previous work
Prepare
Quality will improve with time and planning Knowledgeable with the content
Review new editions of text when implemented
Be consistent Understand the time commitment
Feedback is better if timely Balance time with returning assignments. Use track changes.
Advice for New Instructor
Clear expectations
Rubrics are adhered to by instructor and student
Use the Power of 20 Chunk learning into 20 minute intervals
Use humor Communicate often
Preparation is essential to provide a conducive
learning environment Knowledgeable of the content
Galbraith (2004) states that knowledge of content is associated with the "characteristics of successful adult educators" (p.98).
Adults are motivated differently as we mature; more independent and controlling over their learning (Spear’s model) (Galbraith, 2004).
Summary
Model behavior
Teachers who genuinely model positive behavior will project credibility and students will begin to model this behavior with their peers through high levels of collaboration.
Communicate effectively An effective teacher must also possess good
personality characteristics, interpersonal skills, and positive behaviors (Galbraith, 2004).
Use humor Interpersonal skills are essential when interacting
with students to enhance learning (Malik & ul Ain, 2012).
Use real-world examples (Garrison’s model)
(As cited in Merriam et al., 2007). High instructor presence
In Brydges, Nair, Ma, Shanks, & Hatala’s (2012) study of instructor-led and self-regulated learning, rapid skill acquisition and an association with increased confidence comes from immediate and concurrent feedback during practice.
Brydges, R., Nair, P., Ma, I., Shanks, D., & Hatala, R. (2012).
Directed self-regulated learning versus instructor-regulated learning in simulation training. Medical Education, 46(7). Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.lib.kaplan.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=beb29e30-b214-462f-88de-c8a1d4c6e08f%40sessionmgr4005&hid=4208
Galbraith, M. W. (2004). Adult learning methods: A guide for effective instruction (3rd ed.). Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company
Malik, S. K., & ul Ain, Q. (2012). Prospective teachers’ awareness about interpersonal skills- A comparative study. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 3(11). Retrieved from http://journal-archieves16.webs.com/514-522.pdf
References
Merriam, S., Caffarella, R., & Baumgartner, L.
(2007). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Slide one image- Adapted from “Can Virtual Classrooms Recreate a Traditional College Experience, ?” by K. Freeman, 2013, http://mashable.com/2013/01/25/virtual-classroom-experience-online-education/
References