Adult Learning Theory Paper

Adult Learning Theory Paper
INFT 101 LUO

Summary Adult learners bring a much different dynamic to the college environment. They often have families to raise, full time jobs, and have many different life experiences that impact the way in which they learn. There are many different factors that cause adults to learn differently than a traditional college student. Adults are self-directed, task motivated, they learn because they are ready and willing to, and the experiences they’ve had throughout life form their self-identity in which it is difficult to alter. In the article by Kenner & Weinerman were two theories on adult learning. The first was tactic theory which says that metacognitive skills do not have a specific
Now research shows that it’s broader than that and knowledge is strengthened by involving the body, spirit, and emotions. The transformation learning theory shows that brain structures actually begin to change during the learning process. The narrative learning theory involves listening to other peoples stories, learning by them, and discerning if it is logical and how it may relate to one’s own life in order to learn and remember. Recent research shows the importance of new information and how it must correlate to other life experiences in order to be retained. (Merriam
It was very interesting and I can personally relate to all of the theories and see it in other adults as well. I see the tactic theory on an everyday basis at my job. In the lower income neighborhoods, for example, their culture is so ingrained in them that very rarely do they learn above and beyond what they have been raised with. In this case it would take an extremely motivated individual to become more than what they have been taught by their surroundings, which would be related to the informal theory. The informal theory shows a student with a much better looking future in school and life. It shows that they can think on their own better and are probably more open to change and consistently improving themselves. The transformative theory is interesting and true, I can be told something 10 times but if there is nothing I can relate it to then I cannot comprehend it. The reason I want to do counseling and I know God has called me to it is because of the hurt I have endured. I can now see how counseling can help so many people in my family, at work, and all over the world. I can also learn things easily if there is a personal story attached to it, whether it be my own or someone else’s story, as states in the narrative theory. So as far as the research saying that it’s important for information to correlate to life experiences, I can 100% say