I was on a call this smorning and it jogged a memory of a piece of research/knowledge I have found very, very useful over a number of years to support me in my work with Leaders in Business
Malcolm Knowles ('The Practice of Adult Education - from Pedagogy to Androgogy') has identified some key characteristics that differentiate adults as learners from younger learners:
Self Concept - Adults have developed a concept of self and are more willing to trust their own judgement. Information and ideas which conflict strongly with the individual's own values, beliefs and what they hold to be true will take much longer to absorb and may not be retained or deemed useful.
Experience - Adults have a greater wealth of experience that can be tapped as a resource. Learning that relies on short-term memory is more difficult when the facts and figures are unfamiliar and cannot be 'coded' or organised by the learner. When information relates to previous experience it can be understood, organised, stored and is much more likely to be remembered.
Motivation - Adults' motivation to learn is related to phases in their lives or social roles. Adults learn best when they are actively involved and when they do not have to rely on memorising, but learn through activity at their own pace, with materials relevant to their own lives and experience.
Timing - Adults want learning that has immediate application and tend towards a problem-solving approach.
I hope this helps you & if you have any questions I will be happy to answer them
Julie
#ConsciousLeadership
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