Adult learning in a nutshell: 5 differences between adult and children learning

🙋🏽‍♂️ Learning is self-directed. When it comes to adult learning, students have more freedom to independently decide how to move or not move through the learning process. Special attention should be dedicated to forming a desire to learn. Anyone who has tried to force adults to study knows this skill is crucial for success.

🏄🏻 Based on lived experience. Most of the learning should be based on the student's lived experience. We need to connect new knowledge to existing ones intentionally. These connections are unique for everyone, and learning should include activities that inspire students to form these connections.

😥  Connected to our pains. We will best remember the information directly related to current problems and our "pain". Behind this is a long story about the saber-toothed tiger, our ancestors, and evolution.

🍰 Knowledge is shared. The trainer learns together with the students, who are equal participants in the process. All students’ knowledge in the group exceeds the trainer’s knowledge, so the exchange is mutual. The hierarchy between student and teacher is much weaker than in teaching children.

🌦 Highly depends on context. Context plays a crucial role in adult learning. Country, industry, profession, hobbies — all factors make each training unique. Negative learning experiences often occur where context has been ignored.