Peter Jarvis developed the Learning Process Theory to explain how adults learn through life experiences. The theory has three stages - non-learning, non-reflective learning, and reflective learning. It is influenced by Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory and sees learning starting with a life situation that causes internal reflection and changes how the adult views themselves and the world. According to Jarvis, adult educators should help learners make sense of their experiences and link lessons to their lives.

1. Learning Process Theory
Elizabeth P. Burns
Walden University
Richard W. Riley School of Education and Leadership
Adult Education Program
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2. Learning Objectives
 Define Jarvis’ Learning Process
Theory.
 Who influenced Jarvis' Learning
Process.
 The major components of the
learning process.
 The three stages of learning.
 How does Jarvis’ Process relate to
adult learners & educators.
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3. Introduction and Background
 British scholar, researcher, and
speaker.
 Professor of Continuing Education in
UK.
 Adjunct Professor at University of
Georgia.
 Authored and edited 200 articles.
 Critiqued more than 30 books.
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4. Reflections
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5. Life Situation
Reflect on a
time in your life
when you were
faced with a
situation you
were
unprepared to
handle.

6. Right or Wrong Decision
Did the reflection
or situation lead
you to think you
made the right or
the wrong
decision?
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7. Emotions
What emotion(s) did you feel from this reflection?
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8. Change
Did your
reflection change
your behavior
and how you
now view the
world?
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9. New Learning
Did you learn
something that
would be useful
later in life?
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10. Role of the Adult Learner
Adults learn as a whole person.
Adults bring prior knowledge, experience,
and personal history.
Adults understand the “whys” of life.
Adults are able to make sense of life
situations.
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11. Jarvis Learning Process
 “is the combination of processes where the whole person
experiences social situations, in which the content is
transformed and integrated into the individual's biography
resulting in a changed or more experienced person.”
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12. Who influenced Jarvis Learning Process
Model?
 David Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory
 Learning entails four elements:
Concrete experience
Observation and reflection
Formation of abstract concepts
Testing in new situation
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13. Four Elements of Kolb's Theory
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14. Jarvis’s Learning Process Model
 Built on foundation from Kolb's theory.
 Begins with adult life experience or life situation.
 Links the whole person.
– mind, body, self, and life history
 Causes a disjuncture between person's biography and
the experience.
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15. Learning Process Chart
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16. Jarvis’ Three Stages of Learning
 No-Learning
 Non-Reflective learning
 Reflective Learning
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17. Non-Learning Stage
 No learning takes place.
 Only three responses:
– Presumption
– Non-consideration
– Rejection
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18. Non-Reflective Stage
 Some learning occurs. The
person:
– experiences pre-
conscious
– practices the
experience
– memorizes the
experience or new
information

19. Reflective Learning Stage
 The learner now reflects
on what has taken place.
Three types
-Contemplation
-Reflective
-Experiential
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20. Reflective Stage – “Life Experience”
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21. How does Jarvis Model relates to adult
learners?
 Affects person positively or negatively .
 Person learns new meaning of the world
and events.
 Person has changed, become more
experienced, more able to cope with life
situations or problems.
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22. Role of the Educator
Help adults make sense of daily life.
Link explanations and illustrations.
Link activities to experiences.
Be creative.
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23. Summary
 Adult learning begins with an experience.
 Learner senses have been transformed.
 Learner advances to the next stage of lifelong learners.
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24. References
International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame. Retrieved
February 12, 2013 from
http://www.halloffame.outreach.ou.edu/1997/jarvis.html.
Jarvis, P. (1987). Adult learning in the social context. New York: Croom Helm
(Retrieved 3/7/2013 from www.adulteducation.wikibook.us/index
Jarvis, P. (2006). Towards a comprehensive theory of human learning:
Lifelong learning and the learning society (Vol. 1). London & New York:
Routledge.
Jarvis, P. Retrieved from www.infed.org/biblio/b-explrn.htm
Kolb, D. A. (1984). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experiential_learning.
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25. References (con’t)
Merriam, S. B., Caffarella, R. S., & Baumgartner, L. M. (2007).
Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (3rd ed.). San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass
Picture retrieved from
http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/politics/images/staffprofileimages/p
eter_jarvis.jpg on 3/20/2013.
Video clips retrieved from www.movieclips.com on 3/29/2013.
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