Adult learning is different than the way children learn.  In order for teachers to be effective teachers, they must understand how adult learning works. Adults have special needs and requirements as learners.  There are different characteristics that are involved in adult learning. 

1. Adults are autonomous and self directed- being autonomous and self directed means that adults needs to be able to express themselves and direct themselves.  The teachers actively engage their students to participate in the learning process and serve as facilitators for them.  The teachers give the students a specific topics and get feedback or their perspective on the topic.  This type of adult learning offers a way for the adults to reflect their interest and a way to take responsibility in the way they present these interests.  Acting as a good facilitator is very important because they must guide the adult students to their own knowledge rather than supplying them with simple facts.  This works also by showing them how to create and reach their goals in life. 


2. Adult learning also encompasses the accumulated foundation of life and experiences of a person.  This could be experiences from work related events, family life and responsibilities, or even previous education that they had.  A way to learn in this manner is by connecting their knowledge and experience and creating new concepts for learning.  You are able to relate theories and concepts and relate it into their everyday life now.


3. Remembering that adults are goal oriented.  From the very beginning of trying to acquire new knowledge, adults usually already know what it is they are trying to achieve in the process.  Because of this, the educational program that they are attending has special meaning to them.  The elements are clearly defined and the instructors show how their goals will be incorporated into the classroom.

Adults are also relevance oriented and more practical in their learning styles.  They see reason for learning something, and try to make application to what is being learned.  It helps especially when the facilitator chooses projects that interest their students and can identify objectives for what they will learn each day.  Adult learning can in essence be defined as the act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skills.  With the proper training and guidance, learning can be very rewarding.

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