Reshaping our thoughts on Adult Education And how those thoughts impact Ada County Paramedics Reshaping our thoughts on Adult Education

Contact Information Steve Cole www.adaparamedics.org [email_address] 208-861-6750 Last updated 12-4-2007 Disclosure: No financial conflicts. No endorsements of any product are presented.

Steve Cole

www.adaparamedics.org

[email_address]

208-861-6750

Last updated 12-4-2007

Disclosure:

No financial conflicts. No endorsements of any product are presented.

Objectives Define andragogy Compare and contrast adult from child learners Identify positive characteristics of an adult educator Identifies effective adult teaching methodologies Relate the value of a quality education system to ACP

Define andragogy

Compare and contrast adult from child learners

Identify positive characteristics of an adult educator

Identifies effective adult teaching methodologies

Relate the value of a quality education system to ACP

ANDRAGOGY is the art and science of helping adults learn. PEDAGOGY is the art and science of helping children learn

Adult Education? Distinctly different from education of children. Different motivations, Different styles, Different goals, Different methods… Its just DIFFERENT!

Distinctly different from education of children.

Different motivations,

Different styles,

Different goals,

Different methods…

Its just DIFFERENT!

5 characteristics of a true adult learner: The adult learner is someone who: Has an independent self-concept and who can direct his or her own learning Has accumulated a reservoir of life experiences that is a rich resource for learning Has learning needs closely related to life changes and priorities Is problem-centered and interested in immediate application of knowledge Is motivated to learn by internal rather than external factors

The adult learner is someone who:

Has an independent self-concept and who can direct his or her own learning

Has accumulated a reservoir of life experiences that is a rich resource for learning

Has learning needs closely related to life changes and priorities

Is problem-centered and interested in immediate application of knowledge

Is motivated to learn by internal rather than external factors

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHILDREN AND ADULTS AS LEARNERS: CHILDREN Rely on others to decide what is important to be learned. Accept the important being presented at face value. Expect/assume what they are learning to be useful in their long-term future. Have little or no experience upon– are relatively “ clean slates .” Little ability to serve as a knowledgeable resource to teacher or fellow classmates. ADULTS Decide for themselves what is important to be learned. Need to validate the information based on their beliefs and experience. Expect what they are learning to be immediately useful. Have much experience upon which draw on. Will have varied view points. Significant ability to serve a knowledgeable resource to trainer and fellow learners.

CHILDREN

Rely on others to decide what is important to be learned.

Accept the important being presented at face value.

Expect/assume what they are learning to be useful in their long-term future.

Have little or no experience upon– are relatively “ clean slates .”

Little ability to serve as a knowledgeable resource to teacher or fellow classmates.

ADULTS

Decide for themselves what is important to be learned.

Need to validate the information based on their beliefs and experience.

Expect what they are learning to be immediately useful.

Have much experience upon which draw on. Will have varied view points.

Significant ability to serve a knowledgeable resource to trainer and fellow learners.

Lets put it another way: Readiness to learn? C: In class because they have to. Need motivation created for them (i.e. fun games, privileges) A: In class because they have a goal. The best have internalized goals. Time to importance relationship? C: Someday you will need to know this A: This is why this is important and why you will need this tomorrow. Orientation to Learning? C: Subject centered (math, science, etc) with little thought to everyday application. Looking to pass grade to move on to next subject. A: Very Diverse- Problem and task centered. Looking to increase competence in a series of tasks , job, etc. Social interaction through activity. Desire to be a constant learner for life enrichment.

Readiness to learn?

C: In class because they have to. Need motivation created for them (i.e. fun games, privileges)

A: In class because they have a goal. The best have internalized goals.

Time to importance relationship?

C: Someday you will need to know this

A: This is why this is important and why you will need this tomorrow.

Orientation to Learning?

C: Subject centered (math, science, etc) with little thought to everyday application. Looking to pass grade to move on to next subject.

A: Very Diverse- Problem and task centered. Looking to increase competence in a series of tasks , job, etc. Social interaction through activity. Desire to be a constant learner for life enrichment.

Lets put it another way: Self Concept C: Dependant on teacher for learning. Expects teacher to design, direct, and control all aspects of curricula and exercises. All ears and no mouth. A: Learning is a two way street of exchanging ideas, control and discussion. Expect independence of opinion, expect the teacher to nurture their learning and thought process, not dictate subject matter. Experience C: No experience to draw on. Since experience is vital to learning, the teacher must create experiences for the student. A: Lots of experience, some pertinent and some not. Will use all experience extensively in learning, and may draw both correct and incorrect conclusions.

Self Concept

C: Dependant on teacher for learning. Expects teacher to design, direct, and control all aspects of curricula and exercises. All ears and no mouth.

A: Learning is a two way street of exchanging ideas, control and discussion. Expect independence of opinion, expect the teacher to nurture their learning and thought process, not dictate subject matter.

Experience

C: No experience to draw on. Since experience is vital to learning, the teacher must create experiences for the student.

A: Lots of experience, some pertinent and some not. Will use all experience extensively in learning, and may draw both correct and incorrect conclusions.

Did you know: Health care workers tend to use different methods of learning compared to cooperate and other industrial learners! They used the Process of “Reflection” the most. (Compared to self assessment and correction in other groups) Requires more justification, more “why”, more research based discussion. More looking FORWARD to FUTURE practice to expected results from changes… “ Thinking Things Through” Acquiring NEW Knowledge. ( When further exam of OLD practice then occurs- This becomes critical reflection)

Health care workers tend to use different methods of learning compared to cooperate and other industrial learners!

They used the Process of “Reflection” the most. (Compared to self assessment and correction in other groups)

Requires more justification, more “why”, more research based discussion.

More looking FORWARD to FUTURE practice to expected results from changes…

“ Thinking Things Through”

Acquiring NEW Knowledge.

( When further exam of OLD practice then occurs- This becomes critical reflection)

Interesting side note There is some growing evidence that the teachers of children and teachers of adults tend to share many of these traits with their students.

Characteristics Of An Excellent Adult Educator

Understands His Students Age, environmental, work, and social barriers to learning Understands that progression from childhood learner to adult learner is a slow one, and does not occur automatically.

Age, environmental, work, and social barriers to learning

Understands that progression from childhood learner to adult learner is a slow one, and does not occur automatically.

Dynamic and Engaging Teacher "Classroom training is inefficient. Half the people in the room are secretly working on their "real" jobs; half are so relieved not to be doing their real jobs, they've turned their minds entirely off. Half already know half the stuff being taught and are playing Buzzword Bingo on their Palms; half will never need to know more than half of it” Sage on a stage or a guide on the side ?

"Classroom training is inefficient. Half the people in the room are secretly working on their "real" jobs; half are so relieved not to be doing their real jobs, they've turned their minds entirely off. Half already know half the stuff being taught and are playing Buzzword Bingo on their Palms; half will never need to know more than half of it”

Sage on a stage or a guide on the side ?

Creates Learning Experiences "Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand." Confucius, circa 450 BC “ Hear it, See it, Do it, Teach it!” Common Military Teaching Methodology AKA: Experiential Learning

"Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand."

Confucius, circa 450 BC

“ Hear it, See it, Do it, Teach it!”

Common Military Teaching Methodology

AKA: Experiential Learning

Lives and Loves the Subject The Teacher must not only be passionate about the subject, he must be passionate about sharing it with others. “ Bad teachers distance themselves from the subject they are teaching—and in the process, from their students. Good teachers join self and subject and students in the fabric of life…” “ Good teachers possess a capacity for connectedness. They are able to weave a complex weave of connections, among themselves, their subjects and their students so that students can learn to weave a world for themselves.” “ It will do no good rewriting curricula and revising texts if we fail to cherish —and challenge— the human heart that is the source of good teaching”

The Teacher must not only be passionate about the subject, he must be passionate about sharing it with others.

“ Bad teachers distance themselves from the subject they are teaching—and in the process, from their students. Good teachers join self and subject and students in the fabric of life…”

“ Good teachers possess a capacity for connectedness. They are able to weave a complex weave of connections, among themselves, their subjects and their students so that students can learn to weave a world for themselves.”

“ It will do no good rewriting curricula and revising texts if we fail to cherish —and challenge— the human heart that is the source of good teaching”

Professional and Personal Integrity “ We teach who we are… teaching emerges from one’s inwardness”

“ We teach who we are… teaching emerges from one’s inwardness”

Effective Adult Learning Methods

Effective Adult Learning Methods Teacher oriented techniques Interactive techniques Independent techniques

Teacher oriented techniques

Interactive techniques

Independent techniques

Teacher oriented techniques Lecture Questioning Guided Discussion

Lecture

Questioning

Guided Discussion

Interactive techniques Guided discussion Includes Discussion groups/Panel Discussions and Debates Role-play Scenarios Case study Group-work Programmed fieldwork AKA Clinicals Cooperative learning Simulations and Games

Guided discussion

Includes Discussion groups/Panel Discussions and Debates

Role-play

Scenarios

Case study

Group-work

Programmed fieldwork

AKA Clinicals

Cooperative learning

Simulations and Games

Independent techniques Programmed and Modularized Instruction Ex: Computer Based ACLS teaching Independent Learning Packages Ex: FTO Homework, Monthly written CE Self- directed learning techniques Ex: The FTO Process – Training Phase

Programmed and Modularized Instruction

Ex: Computer Based ACLS teaching

Independent Learning Packages

Ex: FTO Homework, Monthly written CE

Self- directed learning techniques

Ex: The FTO Process – Training Phase

Why having a good program is important to Ada County Paramedics?

Why an Education Program Checking the Box? Required? Economical? Benefits? Why a Quality Education Program Reputation? Moral and Retention? Competence and Quality?

Why an Education Program

Checking the Box?

Required?

Economical?

Benefits?

Why a Quality Education Program

Reputation?

Moral and Retention?

Competence and Quality?

In closing, how to teach adults…

Just as the education of children affects the future of a society, the education of an employee is the future of an organization! Not just FTO programs ALL education! Education (both good and bad, or none) effect: Liability Moral Retention Motivation Quality of work Quality of life Sick day useage Integrity of employees

Just as the education of children affects the future of a society, the education of an employee is the future of an organization!

Not just FTO programs

ALL education!

Education (both good and bad, or none) effect:

Liability

Moral

Retention

Motivation

Quality of work

Quality of life

Sick day useage

Integrity of employees

Are their lessons we can take home from this? SURE! FOCUS ON “REAL WORLD” PROBLEMS. EMPHASIZE HOW THE LEARNING CAN BE APPLIED. RELATE THE LEARNING TO THE LEARNERS’ GOALS. RELATE THE MATERIALS TO THE LEARNERS’ PAST EXPERIENCES. ALLOW DEBATE AND CHALLENGE OF IDEAS. LISTEN TO AND RESPECT THE OPINIONS OF LEARNERS. ENCOURAGE LEARNERS TO BE RESOURCES TO YOU AN D TO EACH OTHER. TREAT LEARNERS LIKE ADULTS. *****GIVE LEARNERS “CONTROL”***** PICK PASSIONATE TEACHERS (Like Steve Cole!!!)

SURE!

FOCUS ON “REAL WORLD” PROBLEMS.

EMPHASIZE HOW THE LEARNING CAN BE APPLIED.

RELATE THE LEARNING TO THE LEARNERS’ GOALS.

RELATE THE MATERIALS TO THE LEARNERS’ PAST EXPERIENCES.

ALLOW DEBATE AND CHALLENGE OF IDEAS.

LISTEN TO AND RESPECT THE OPINIONS OF LEARNERS.

ENCOURAGE LEARNERS TO BE RESOURCES TO YOU AN D TO EACH OTHER.

TREAT LEARNERS LIKE ADULTS.

*****GIVE LEARNERS “CONTROL”*****

PICK PASSIONATE TEACHERS (Like Steve Cole!!!)

Questions? Questions?