Through evidence-based insights and practical applications, this course equips learners with strategies to design and deliver effective instructional experiences that align with the unique needs of adult learners.
Course Overview and Objectives
Definition and background of andragogy
Knowles’ five assumptions of adult learners
Differences between pedagogy and andragogy
Adult cognitive development
Motivation in adult learners
Common barriers to adult learning
Overview of major learning style models
Critical examination of learning styles
Alternatives to learning styles
Principles of effective adult instruction
Designing inclusive and accessible instruction
Applications in online_ blended_ and face-to-face learning
Assessment
Participants will be able to:
The principles of andragogy (such as the need for relevance, self-direction, and leveraging experience) are crucial for instructional design as they guide trainers to create problem-centered, practical, and highly engaging learning environments for mature students.
Adult learners' tendency toward practical application (cognitive), their high degree of intrinsic motivation (motivational), and their reliance on peer-to-peer exchange (social) collectively dictate the successful retention and application of new skills.
While popular models like VARK are widely used, empirical research generally suggests that tailoring instruction based on a self-reported learning preference has little to no effect on actual learning outcomes, challenging the fundamental premise of fixed learning styles.
