Adult Learning Paper
Brianne N. Hebdo
Ohio Christian University
November 12, 2017
Adult Learning Paper
I never would have realized that the way I learn or understand things would be a topic of interest to someone. Never once have I considered adult learning to be an interesting enough topic to research. Adult’s like children learn differently. Based on the little bit of research I’ve done I can see there are many different theories and each theory comes with its own set of assumptions. In this paper I will briefly be discussing the Andragogy and adult learning theory by Malcolm Knowles, Experiential learning by David Kolb and how this knowledge helps me understand how I learn.
Malcolm Knowles promoted the concept of andragogy in attempt to …show more content…
A large amount of Kolb’s theory is concentrated on the learner’s internal cognitive processes (McLeod, 2010). According to Kolb’s theory learning is most effective when a person progresses through the whole cycle containing four stages: the first stage is having a concrete experience which is followed by 2) an observation of and reflection on that experience which leads to 3) the formation of abstract concepts or analysis and conclusions which are then 4) used to test hypothesis in future situations, resulting in new experiences (McLeod, 2010). So according to Kolb effective learning can only happen when each of the four stages in the cycle is completed. Therefore, if the cycle is not completed than learning is not applicable and not one stage can be applicable on its own. Kolb goes on to explain that people will naturally prefer a different learning styles. Numerous factors may influence a person's preferred style. For example, their social environment, educational experiences, or their basic cognitive structure (McLeod, 2010). No matter what the influences are affect the choice of style. The learning style preference itself is the product of two pairs of variables, or two separate choices that we make. Kolb explains these two variables as the Processing Continuum which is how we approach a task, and the second is called the Perception Continuum …show more content…
They both provided information that was like each other, but their explanations were different. After obtaining all this information I now know understand that I learn when I’m emotionally interested in or on a topic, class or conversation and those feelings effect how I retain said information. If I find something uninteresting or unappealing to me I’m more than likely not going to retain the information being taught. This could possibly transfer into any job I hope to get and keep. If I’m not interested emotionally I could get bored and therefore not perform at my highest level or best. Which could in turn effect whether I continue having a job or not.
References
Corley, M. A. (2011). Adult Learning Theories. TEAL: Teaching Excellence in Adult Learning. Retrieved 13 November 2017, from https://lincs.ed.gov/sites/default/files/11_%20TEAL_Adult_Learning_Theory.pdf
McLeod, S. (2010). Kolb's Learning Styles and Experiential Learning Cycle. Simplypsychology.org. Retrieved 13 November 2017, from https://simplypsychology.org/learning-kolb.html
Pappas, C. (2013). The Adult Learning Theory - Andragogy - of Malcolm Knowles. eLearning Industry. Retrieved 13 November 2017, from
Brianne N. Hebdo
Ohio Christian University
November 12, 2017
Adult Learning Paper
I never would have realized that the way I learn or understand things would be a topic of interest to someone. Never once have I considered adult learning to be an interesting enough topic to research. Adult’s like children learn differently. Based on the little bit of research I’ve done I can see there are many different theories and each theory comes with its own set of assumptions. In this paper I will briefly be discussing the Andragogy and adult learning theory by Malcolm Knowles, Experiential learning by David Kolb and how this knowledge helps me understand how I learn.
Malcolm Knowles promoted the concept of andragogy in attempt to …show more content…
A large amount of Kolb’s theory is concentrated on the learner’s internal cognitive processes (McLeod, 2010). According to Kolb’s theory learning is most effective when a person progresses through the whole cycle containing four stages: the first stage is having a concrete experience which is followed by 2) an observation of and reflection on that experience which leads to 3) the formation of abstract concepts or analysis and conclusions which are then 4) used to test hypothesis in future situations, resulting in new experiences (McLeod, 2010). So according to Kolb effective learning can only happen when each of the four stages in the cycle is completed. Therefore, if the cycle is not completed than learning is not applicable and not one stage can be applicable on its own. Kolb goes on to explain that people will naturally prefer a different learning styles. Numerous factors may influence a person's preferred style. For example, their social environment, educational experiences, or their basic cognitive structure (McLeod, 2010). No matter what the influences are affect the choice of style. The learning style preference itself is the product of two pairs of variables, or two separate choices that we make. Kolb explains these two variables as the Processing Continuum which is how we approach a task, and the second is called the Perception Continuum …show more content…
They both provided information that was like each other, but their explanations were different. After obtaining all this information I now know understand that I learn when I’m emotionally interested in or on a topic, class or conversation and those feelings effect how I retain said information. If I find something uninteresting or unappealing to me I’m more than likely not going to retain the information being taught. This could possibly transfer into any job I hope to get and keep. If I’m not interested emotionally I could get bored and therefore not perform at my highest level or best. Which could in turn effect whether I continue having a job or not.
References
Corley, M. A. (2011). Adult Learning Theories. TEAL: Teaching Excellence in Adult Learning. Retrieved 13 November 2017, from https://lincs.ed.gov/sites/default/files/11_%20TEAL_Adult_Learning_Theory.pdf
McLeod, S. (2010). Kolb's Learning Styles and Experiential Learning Cycle. Simplypsychology.org. Retrieved 13 November 2017, from https://simplypsychology.org/learning-kolb.html
Pappas, C. (2013). The Adult Learning Theory - Andragogy - of Malcolm Knowles. eLearning Industry. Retrieved 13 November 2017, from