Principles of Adult Learning

Adult Learning theory is a set of assumptions about how adults – typically defined as people outside of primary and secondary school – approach the learning process. As with any assumption, of course, not every person fits the same mold.


Adult learning theory assumes:

• Autonomy and self-direction – adults tend to approach learning with a sense of themselves as responsible “grown-ups”, and need to be involved in the learning process
• Existing experience and knowledge – adults contribute to the learning process by sharing their prior experiences and skills; learning is most effective when it is related to, and builds on, their experiences
• Readiness and motivation – adults tend to link acquiring new skills with greater self-esteem and personal satisfaction, and are motivated and willing to invest energy in learning, when those intrinsic needs are met
• Relevance, value, and practicability – adults are most responsive to learning that is linked to things that are important to their daily life; that will help them perform tasks or solve problems better; and that can be applied right away. Adult learners are less interested in the theory than in the application.

I can't help, however, contrasting some of these assumptions with anecdotal evidence that I've gathered in the course of presenting training.

• "Intrinsic" rewards for training don't really compete with the million other demands on learners' time.
• We have a lot of socialized expectations of the learning process - what it is, what their responsibilities are, what the trainer's responsibilities are
• There are so many other factors at play - generational differences, learning styles, etc., etc., etc. - that who knows what is the biggest influence?

What say you?

Read more about it:

• WikiBooks: Learning Theories / Adult Learning Theories – http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Learning_Theories/Adult_Learning_Theories
• Cranton, P. (2006). Understanding and promoting transformative learning: A guide for educators of adults. The Jossey-Bass higher and adult education series. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
• Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., & Swanson, R. A. (2005). The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
• Stolovitch, H. D., & Keeps, E. J. (2002). Telling ain't training. Alexandria, VA: ASTD.