Teaching and Learning in Further and Adult Education

Theme of the chapter. The theme of the chapter is experiential learning (Merriam, Caffarella, Baumgartner, 2006). This involves the integration of practice and theory and the relevance of academic learning among the adult. This touches on the unrecognized feelings and learning experiences, social isolation, self-defeating thoughts, self-doubts and unfulfilled hopes as regards learning and adult education.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Teaching and Learning in Further and Adult Education specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Models of experiential learning. Experimental learning refers to the process of making and deriving meaning from experiences. It involves learning from experience. The model of experimental learning developed by David Kolb, also called the experimental learning cycle, is as follows (Walklin, 2006); Concrete Experience. Observation and reflection. Forming abstract concepts. Experimentat ion. Concrete Experience – in this phase, learning starts when an individual carries out a certain action and then sits back to see the effect of the action on the particular situation. Observation and reflection – the learner moves to the next step where he understands the effect of his actions. The intention of this second step is to help the learner predict the effect of his action if the same action took place under similar circumstances. This step leads us to the third step. Forming abstract concepts – the learner understands the principle under which the particular situation falls. The learner understands the model of the observation. Experimentation – the learner plans how to test a plan or model of an upcoming experience (Walklin, 2006). How educators’ roles and purposes affect experiential learning. The role and purposes of educators in experimental learning include the following; consultant, helper, instructor, facilitator, teacher, m entor and change agent. They affect experimental learning through working and promoting socially responsible and relevant ways that promote societal change by the promotion of participatory learning process of adult citizens. The teachers present a safe and friendly learning environment. They facilitate the adult education by engaging them in experiences that are fundamentally reflective due to their relevance to learner’s lives (Merriam, Caffarella, Baumgartner, 2006). Educators have authority over learners; therefore, they reinforce overriding paradigms where lessons are taught from educators instead of the learners discovering through the process of critical reflection and meaningful experience. They also provide students with feedback and this helps them understand where they went wrong, what they need to improve, and what they have learned. The educators help them by asking questions that encourage learners to answer and take ownership of their answer (Walklin, 2006). T he correlation between experiential learning and andragogy and/or heutagogy Androgogy influences the ways in which learners are treated in a program while experimental learning influences the development of learning activities and training plans. Comparison between adult learning-based models and theories versus the traditional methods (Walklin, 2006).Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Experiential learning Andragogy and/or heutagogy Concrete experience: describes the experience one had – what one did and actions taken. Self-concept: a person’s self-concepts move from being independent to being a self-driven human being. Reflective observation – it answers the question of what one noticed and observed about the experience. Experience: a person accumulates experience as he matures and increases resource learning. Abstract concepts: it asks the quest ions such as, what theories, rules, and concepts apply to a certain situation. Readiness to learn: a person’s readiness to learn is increasingly oriented to developmental tasks of his social life Active experimentation: the question asked include; what happened due to a learners experience, learning, and reflection. Orientation to learning: when a person matures, the time perspective changes from a postponed application of knowledge to immediate application and orientation to learning from subject centeredness to problem centeredness. References Merriam, S. B., Caffarella, R. S., Baumgartner, L. M. (2006). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Walklin, L. (2006). Teaching and Learning in Further and Adult Education. Boston: Nelson Thornes. This research paper on Teaching and Learning in Further and Adult Education was written and submitted by user Desiree Holder to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.