WK5 Discussion Board: Accommodations

 What are potential implications of having participants from multiple generations or ages in an adult
learning class?
 What are potential implications of having participants with varied learning styles in an adult learning
class?
 How will you accommodate your class for disabled learners?
Every student in college, whether they go and sit in a classroom or collaborate through online portals, has
the opportunity to experience a diverse learning environment composed of individuals with different
learning styles and of a variety ages or generations. When I was working towards earning my bachelor’s,
the ages of the individuals that were in my classes differed greatly. Sometimes the youngest individual in
the class would be eighteen years of age and the oldest might be sixty-three. This was not always the case,
but most of the time in my art or sculpture courses this would happen. Because some learners may have
been born in a different generation or have separate ideals, this could present conflicts at times with other
students that didn’t share the same beliefs.
“The conundrum of the current environment for adult learners is that while economic pressures have made
post-secondary education more appealing as an agent of job promotion or career change (Kimmel, Gaylor
& Hayes, pg. 3).”While there were some complications between peers in my undergrad, I understood there
to be a lot of empathy, motivation, and giving of advice between students that helped to stimulate our
classrooms, giving each person an open platform to be themselves and truly fulfill their individual learning
goal. It seemed that by having so many other students in my class that were not my age or from the same
generation as me, not only were my eyes opened to new ideas I hadn’t known before, but I was also
encouraged to stay strong within my academic intentions with the supporting connection.
It is important to remember the needs, adjustments, and attention that must be given to a classroom with
disabled adult learners. By tailoring my instruction to their individualized learning styles, I am able to better
relate to what they need from me throughout my teachings as well as give them the ability to formulate their
own conclusions about how well they believe they are absorbing the information. The disabled individuals I
work with are very attentive and curious which makes them perfect for learning something so hands on
such as ceramics, but also presents a kind of vulnerability of their interactions within the classroom. As a
future educator, I must remember that good curriculum design considers different ways that individuals
learn, what may affect their experience throughout educational activities, and how these things can be
measured for effectiveness.
Kimmel, S. B.; Gaylor, K. P.; Hayes, J. B. (2016). Age differences among adult learners: Motivations and
barriers to higher education. ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313967210_Age_Differences_among_Adult_Learners_Motivation
s_and_Barriers_to_Higher_Education