Adult Learners

[Annette V. Lewis]

Do you think adult learners are treated fairly in the classrooms as they return back to school?

 

[Lloyd Gough]

Posing this fascinating and deeply important question as one of fairness interests me Annette, having finished Ellison's Invisible Man again (this time on audio CD) and being devoted to the teachings of Paulo Friere, I am drowning in a sea of possibilities. My studies indicate Paulo's fair treatment would be to teach adults how to pursue their own grassroots political (anti neo-liberial) activism through learning to read if necessary about their own socio-economic justice. My head is still spinning from what Ellison indicates. Does anyone know where I am going with this?  I would love to find someone to discuss these two adult educators, maybe throw in another favorite of mine...Edwards Deming and really get goofy with it.

[Johnson TATA]

FAIRNESS TO RETURNING ADULTS- BABY BUSTERS OR BABY BOOMERS

Dear Annette,

Your question about adult learners fair treatment is a good one. It suggests concerns about how adults are treated a traditional classroom.  However, there is a need for definition of who is an adult.

The word adult can be tricky depending on which perspective. The definition for adult changes from country to country. In some countries, 16 year old is regarded as adult. In the U.S.A. it is 18. Again your question refers to returning adults which suggests that they were either drop out or interrupted in their educational pursuit. In this wise we still have two types of adults: first the pre-baby boomers adult these are those born before 1960. During the pre-1960 period many were engaged in war and peace keeping exercise all over the world.  Second, adults born between 1960 and the 70s are generally regarded as baby boomers generation. During this period, many veterans were back home and settled down to build up families and it was not uncommon to see 10 to 12 children from a single family. The result was many babies born. Third, are adults born after the baby boomers generation known as baby busters adults.

Annette can you please set your boundaries?

 

 

[Byard Pidgeon]

Community Colleges I'm familiar with in Oregon treat "adult learners"...meaning those beyond the usual 18-22 year old students...very fairly. In fact, those adults are now a large proportion of the student bodies of many CCs, as they seek training for new jobs or try to finish an education interrupted by family, work, military.

I was one of those adult learners, more than once, as I had a college career that spanned 17 years, 2 marriages and 3 children until I got my baccalaureate...then, after 16 years, I went back to a CC to learn new skills, as a "displaced older worker".

In all, I attended 2 Community Colleges and 1 University as an "adult learner", and never felt any unfairness or discrimination because of my age. The same was not true in the working world.

[Annette V. Lewis]

Thanks for the response,

It is good to read that your were treated fairly in the classrooms. I can identify not being treated fairly in the work world. Hang in there. Thanks for the motivation.

[Annette V. Lewis]

Annette V. Lewis said:

Thanks for the response,

It is good to read that your were treated fairly in the classrooms. I can identify not being treated fairly in the work world. Hang in there. Thanks for the motivation.

[Annette V. Lewis]

Thanks for your response, the adult learners that I am talking about are around the ages of 25 and older that have gone back to school to continue their education.

Johnson TATA said:

FAIRNESS TO RETURNING ADULTS- BABY BUSTERS OR BABY BOOMERS

Dear Annette,

Your question about adult learners fair treatment is a good one. It suggests concerns about how adults are treated a traditional classroom.  However, there is a need for definition of who is an adult.

The word adult can be tricky depending on which perspective. The definition for adult changes from country to country. In some countries, 16 year old is regarded as adult. In the U.S.A. it is 18. Again your question refers to returning adults which suggests that they were either drop out or interrupted in their educational pursuit. In this wise we still have two types of adults: first the pre-baby boomers adult these are those born before 1960. During the pre-1960 period many were engaged in war and peace keeping exercise all over the world.  Second, adults born between 1960 and the 70s are generally regarded as baby boomers generation. During this period, many veterans were back home and settled down to build up families and it was not uncommon to see 10 to 12 children from a single family. The result was many babies born. Third, are adults born after the baby boomers generation known as baby busters adults.

Annette can you please set your boundaries?

 

 

[Wanda Renee]

I am one of those who is an adult lerner.  Returning was an easy decision because I had work in most of the industries in my community (Louisville).  I was treated most fairly, because I had an elder for my admissions representative, so the transition was easy.  My instructors were fair and very attentive to any concerns or questions I had.  As I begin the journey of doing my assignments, class participation, and attendance; the teachers understood the commitment I had to expanding my mind. My research habit was good but became better especially after taking economics. It truly showed me something about the world.  Before taking economics I only read the sports page.  The requirement for the class was to read something related to the economy on a national or international level; the instructor did not dismiss sports as an economic subject.  That course changed me forever.  He was a tougher than most educator, but I respected him for his firm honesty.  On the surface I thought he was cruel, but after the class was over he remained open to me and extended himself in any way he could to help me understand what ever I was trying to comprehend.  The bottom line is my return was a wonderful experience.  I could not, will not, or shant not trade the experience for nothing.  I am currently trying to find a masters program to enroll in and even in this experience I am having a good time.  The possibility of discovery is a great feeling, I would not change the hands of time for anything of this world. 

[Brenda]

I went back to college as an adult, I was treated fairly. I was judged by my hard work. We had a woman in Our classroom, that tried to give all of Us some of her problem's. Meaning, almost each day, among other thing's, she would say to Our instructor, "I'm paying You one hundred and seventy-five dollar's per hour, You are going to help me." Well she is in Heaven now. When she made it there, I hope she did not talk to Father like that. If so, I think, I know where she ended up at...

Peace,

-U-

[sue batory]

I teach in a college and feel the adult learners are treated fairly. Again, what age are we really talking about I have students ranging in age from 18-65. I believe all are treated well, but I think adults over the age of 40 have the added benefit of lived experience to draw upon. I find most of the younger students like to study with the more mature student as it gives them a different perspective than the high school years; With the hopes we are all encouraging all students to become self-directed and life long learners. Thanks

 

[Brenda]

I did not start this chat but, the topic is about adult learner's. I think, We need some more teacher's like you, teacher's, that care about Our Children. I'm with you on this; We can try to encourage, all we come into contact with. Encouragement will help some to, create  much Better future's for themselve's:~)!

Peace,

-U-

[dancin75]

Adult learners have many different needs in the classroom. Ideally, they come to class prepared and the instructor becomes the facilitator of knowledge. I love working with engaged learners. I like challengening them but also giving them the needed guidance. All too often, I have observed returning students treated more like high school students instead of the adults that they are and that we expect. I think some educators need to be retrained in adult learning principles.
Dancin75

[Brenda]

I believe, If some Teacher's were to set some tough rule's, from the beginning and let them know where they are coming from, some will change, some of their bad way's. If not, the rule's must be enforced. I tell some Children to, respect their Teacher's, as they respect, their Parent's. Thanks for responding and  Have a Nice Night :~)!

Peace,

-U-