u09a1 Application of Theories and Philosophy to Practice 
Application of Theories and Philosophy to Practice
Theory & Method of Educating Adults
ED - Section 2
Dr. Leone Snyder
September 13, 2014
Tangia Miller
5925 Attala Road #2133
French Camp, MS 39745
(601) 383-3949 tmiller103@capellauniversity.edu A local university in central Mississippi has an “Inspire” program designed to cater and encourage adult learners to pursue programs of study for career advancements and/or career change. Population for this program are usually nontraditional students that are adult learners over the age of 24 and many have family and work responsibilities. Some students also have other life circumstances that can interfere with successful completion of educational objectives. Many of the adult learners work full time and do not live on campus. Andragogy is a study of how adults learn best and emphasizes and values the process of learning. Collaboration and problem-based approaches to learning is used rather than didactic approaches in andragogy. Andragogy also emphasizes more equality between the educator and the student. Malcolm Knowles, an American practitioner and theorist of adult education, identified six principles of adult learning:
1. Adults are self-directed and internally motivated
2. Adults bring knowledge and life experiences to learning experiences
3. Adults are goal oriented
4. Adults are relevancy oriented
5. Adults are practical
6. Adults like to be respected
Considering the principles of adult learning identified by Knowles, I would
Initiate change in some areas of the “Inspire” program to align and better attempt to meet the needs of the adult learner’s in the program. The changes would activate would reflect principles of adult learning and also help me better attempt to meet the needs of the learners in the “Inspire” program.
Realizing adults are self-directed and internally motivated, I would encourage learners to voice their ideas. When adult learners feel others are forcing
Theory & Method of Educating Adults
ED - Section 2
Dr. Leone Snyder
September 13, 2014
Tangia Miller
5925 Attala Road #2133
French Camp, MS 39745
(601) 383-3949 tmiller103@capellauniversity.edu A local university in central Mississippi has an “Inspire” program designed to cater and encourage adult learners to pursue programs of study for career advancements and/or career change. Population for this program are usually nontraditional students that are adult learners over the age of 24 and many have family and work responsibilities. Some students also have other life circumstances that can interfere with successful completion of educational objectives. Many of the adult learners work full time and do not live on campus. Andragogy is a study of how adults learn best and emphasizes and values the process of learning. Collaboration and problem-based approaches to learning is used rather than didactic approaches in andragogy. Andragogy also emphasizes more equality between the educator and the student. Malcolm Knowles, an American practitioner and theorist of adult education, identified six principles of adult learning:
1. Adults are self-directed and internally motivated
2. Adults bring knowledge and life experiences to learning experiences
3. Adults are goal oriented
4. Adults are relevancy oriented
5. Adults are practical
6. Adults like to be respected
Considering the principles of adult learning identified by Knowles, I would
Initiate change in some areas of the “Inspire” program to align and better attempt to meet the needs of the adult learner’s in the program. The changes would activate would reflect principles of adult learning and also help me better attempt to meet the needs of the learners in the “Inspire” program.
Realizing adults are self-directed and internally motivated, I would encourage learners to voice their ideas. When adult learners feel others are forcing
References: Adult Learning Theory and Principles (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.qotfc.edu.au/resource/?page=65375 Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., III, & Swanson, R. A. (2011). The adult learner (7th ed.). Burlington, MA: Elsevier. Marterna, L. (2007). Jump start the adult learner: How to engage and motivate adults using brain-compatible strategies. Thousand Oaks, CA; Corwin Press. Tough, A. (1970). The Adult’s Learning Projects. Toronto, Canada: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.