How to support an adult learner in today’s world?
Pavan took an online course to boost his chances of promotion, but when he finished it, he didn’t feel too confident about what he had learned. He felt as if he had wasted his time and money, as he couldn’t retain or apply the learning too well. How many of you have been in a situation like Pavan’s? Many of us, I guess.
Adult learners are commonly known to face challenges like time constraints, self-doubt, financial constraints, and lack of focus on learning that come their way in acquiring necessary skills. Little wonder that they are drawn toward learning methods that are more accessible, interactive, and less time-consuming. Adult learners have unique learning needs. They prefer to take responsibility for their own learning and tend to be self-directed. They bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the learning process. They want to be able to apply what they have learned in their work or personal lives immediately. As a result, their preferences and ever-changing technologies have been keeping learning experts constantly on their toes, demanding them to relentlessly skew their teaching strategies. A quick look at what they comprise.
Microlearning:
The beauty of microlearning is that it can fit easily into a learner’s busy schedule, allowing them to learn at their own pace and in their own time. With the world moving at such a fast pace. It involves breaking down information into smaller, bite-sized chunks that can be easily absorbed and retained.
Social learning:
Great news! There are plenty of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) that let adult learners connect with peers and like-minded individuals. These social learning platforms offer collaboration, discussion, and support in a relaxed environment. It’s like having a study group online, where learners can share insights and ideas on the course material.
Just imagine diving into a new topic and exploring it through a fun and interactive game-like interface. You can compete with other learners in a friendly way, earning rewards and badges for progress and achievements.
Scenario-based learning:
Scenario-based learning is an incredibly powerful tool for adult learners, as it provides a dynamic and immersive learning experience that is both engaging and memorable. By placing learners in these practical scenarios, they are encouraged to think critically and apply the knowledge they have acquired to real-world situations. This promotes a deeper level of understanding and helps learners retain the information more effectively.
Combined approach:
Microlearning, social learning, Scenario-based learning, and gamification can be combined in a suitable way to create a highly interactive and fun-filled, and curious training module.
Personalized approach:
AI-integrated LMSs have transformed the way we approach adult education, creating a dynamic and personalized approach to learning. By incorporating AI into learning management systems, individuals can now access tailor-made educational content and feedback that caters to their unique learning styles, preferences, and needs.
Friends, the learning solutions utilizing the above methods will help everyone acquire and retain the essential skills. These are one of the advantages of online learning. The world of technology is moving at lightning speed and it’s bringing with it some pretty cool solutions. All we need is an open-minded approach to exploring and utilizing the tools and techniques available to us. Let’s create a whole new world of possibilities and level up adult learning.
For expertise in adult learning and other kinds of learning too, you can turn to Hurix. Hurix Digital provides customized digital solutions for institutions and enterprises.
I’m working as an Instructional designer at Hurix Digital. I design and
develop engaging learning assets for Instructor-led Training, Virtual ILT,
Web-based Training, and blended learning solutions. I have also worked as
an educator and designed learning assets for the Higher-Ed and K12
segments.
