Adult Learning and

Educational Methodology

Module 2
Adult Learning and Educational
Methodology

CAMPUS – COMMUNITY
 EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
 Train-the-Trainer

Module 2 – Slide 1
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Overview

 In order to present successful training

programs, particularly to diverse audiences with
different training needs, trainers need to be able
to adapt course material to accommodate
various adult learning styles.
Module 2 – Slide 2
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Terminal Learning Objective:

 Upon completion of this module,
participants will understand the key
principles and techniques for applying
Adult Learning Theory and Educational
Methodology to C-CERT training delivery.

Module 2 – Slide 3
Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Enabling Objectives
• Using the Conditions of Learning and the
key principles of Adult Learning theory,
participants will:
– Identify the key principles of Adult Learning
Theory.
– Recognize Gagne’s five categories of
learning.
– Apply the principles of Adult Learning
Theory in the teach-backs required in
Modules 6 and 7.
Module 2 – Slide 4
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Individual Exercise
• What is your learning style?


 In Appendix A-3, using Conner’s

“What’s Your Learning Style?”
 take five minutes to complete the
questionnaire.

Module 2 – Slide 5
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Visual Learners
• Draw pictures in
margins.
• Look at the graphics.
• Read text that
explains the
graphics.
• Envision the topic or
play a movie in your
mind.
Module 2 – Slide 6
Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Auditory Learners
• Listen to the words
you read.
• Try to develop an
internal
conversation
between you and
the text.
• Don’t be embarrassed
to read aloud, or
talk through the
information. Module 2 – Slide 7
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners
• Use a pencil or
highlighter to mark
passages.
• Take notes,
transferring
information.
• Doodle whatever
comes to your
mind.
• Feel the words and
ideas. Module 2 – Slide 8
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Group Activity 1
• Move to your learning style
group.
• Create a list of activities and
techniques you could use
in your teaching to
address this style.
• After 10 minutes, be
prepared to share your
results.
• You will receive a compiled
list to be added to your
Tool Box.
Module 2 – Slide 9
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Categories of Learning
• Gagne’s theory stipulates
there are several
different types or levels
of learning; each
requiring different
types of instruction.
They include:
– Verbal information
– Intellectual skills
– Cognitive
strategies
– Motor skills
– Attitudes Module 2 – Slide 10
Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Nine Conditions to Successful

Learning
• Gaining attention • Eliciting performance
• Informing • Providing feedback
participants of • Assessing
objectives performance
• Retrieval • Retention and
• Presenting new transfer
material
• Providing learning
guidance
Module 2 – Slide 11
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Cone of Learning
Learners retain:


• 10% of what they read

• 20% of what they hear
• 30% of what they see
• 50% of what they see and
hear together
• 70% of what they say or
repeat
• 90% of what they say, while
doing what they are
talking about. (Hear,
See, Say, Do, Teach
others) Module 2 – Slide 12
Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Learning Retention
• Hear it
• See it
• Say it
• Do it
• Teach others

Module 2 – Slide 13
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Tips Related to Adult Learning

• Establish a climate conducive to learning.
• Design training to be approximately 1/3
presentation and 2/3 application and
feedback.

Module 2 – Slide 14
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Adult Learners
• Commit to learning when
the goals and
objectives are
considered realistic
and important.
• Want to be the origin of
their own learning.
• Need concrete
experiences to apply
learning in real work.
• Need feedback.
Module 2 – Slide 15
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Key Principles of Adult Learning

• Learners need to
know:
– Why, what, how?
– Self-concept of the
learner:
• Self directed
and
autonomous.
– Prior experience of
the learner:
• Resources,
mental
models.
Module 2 – Slide 16
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Key Principles (cont.)

• Readiness to learn:
– Life related,
developmental
tasks.
• Orientation to
learning:
– Problem centered,
contextual.
• Motivation to learn:
– Internal, personal
payoff, intrinsic
Module 2 – Slide 17
value.
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Group Activity 2
 Working with your table group:
• Identify some of the tips you might choose
to incorporate in your training.
• Discuss the pros and cons of each
principle presented at your table.
• Select someone to present to the class at
least one principle discussed at your
table.
Module 2 – Slide 18
Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Considerations For Adult Learners



 Small group
activities provide
learners an
opportunity to share,
reflect and generalize
their learning
experiences.

Module 2 – Slide 19
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Considerations for Adult

Learners (cont.)
• Adult learners come
to learning with a
wide range of
previous:
– Experiences
– Knowledge
– Self direction
– Interests
– Skills
Module 2 – Slide 20
Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Preparing for Instruction

4-Step Method


 Primary
Steps:
üPreparation
üPresentatio
n
üApplication
üEvaluation
Module 2 – Slide 21
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Preparation - Instructor
• Know the topic and
your capabilities.
• Determine the best
way to present the
information.
– Demonstration,
Illustration,
Lecture
• Divide the lesson into
manageable parts.
• Be on time. Module 2 – Slide 22
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Preparation - Students
• Put the students at ease
• Help them be part of the class
• Explain unclear or complex information in detail
• Motivate
• Outline the Day

Module 2 – Slide 23
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Motivation
• Demonstrate enthusiasm
• Require good
performance
• Promote achievement
and success
• Provide relevancy
• Use positive
reinforcement
• Correct with sensitivity
and empathy
• Encourage, Encourage,
Encourage
Module 2 – Slide 24
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Preparing For Presentations

• Plan a 2:1 ratio of preparation to
presentation for new classes.
• Research and plan presentations.
• Rehearse presentations.
• Don’t confuse students by presenting too
many facts.
• Check learning frequently.
Module 2 – Slide 25
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Application
• To develop student skills:
– Ensure students have the opportunity to
perform.
– Check for understanding and skill
application.
– Give immediate feedback and evaluation.
– Safety must be continuously stressed
and modeled by the instructor.

Module 2 – Slide 26
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Evaluation
• Takes place on two levels:
– Informal
 - Maintain eye contact with the students.
 - Ask brief questions to “spot-check”
 learning.


– Formal
 - Use written assessments.
 - Evaluate performance demonstrations.
Module 2 – Slide 27
Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Instructor Competencies
• A desire to teach
• Mastery of teaching
technique
• Competence in the
subject
• Ingenuity and
creativity
• Ability to self evaluate

Module 2 – Slide 28
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Good Instructor Qualities

• Set the “tone” of the
class
• Demonstrate
professionalism
• Create a learning
environment
• Assess class timing
• Avoid obstacles to
effective learning
Module 2 – Slide 29
Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Mistakes An Instructor Must

Avoid
• Do not pretend to know all the answers.
• Information must be based on fact.
• Do not promise to find an answer then fail
to do so.
• If there is no exact answer, inform the
students.

Module 2 – Slide 30
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Instructor Responsibilities
• There is no placein C-CERT for jokes,
comments or documents bearing on
race, religion, gender, ethnicity or
personal issues that would be of a
hurtful nature to an individual.
• These should never be tolerated in the
classroom by the instructor, or C-CERT,
by a member.

Module 2 – Slide 31
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Effective Trainer Behaviors

• Effective Trainers are:
– Prepared
– Energetic
– Sensitive
– A role model
• Use humor
• Share leadership


Module 2 – Slide 32
Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Key Points For Adult Training

• Must be relevant.
• Should be of immediate use.
• Most important resource in the training
is the student.
• Must focus at all times on the learner.

Module 2 – Slide 33
 Adult Learning and
Educational Methodology

Summary
§ Focus on real world
problems.
§ Relate learning to
participants goal.
§ Allow debate and
challenge of ideas.
§ Encourage participants to
be resources to you
and to each other.

Module 2 – Slide 34