Considering Adult Learner Needs and Requirements

By Bill Hudson, Executive Consultant, ACT Centers

Another way to compare e-learning and classroom learning is to consider the unique needs and requirements of adult learners. In many cases, the traditional classroom can meet the learner’s needs. But there are situations where the adult learner is not well served in a classroom setting. Here are some reasons why e-learning may be the right alternative.

Scheduling: Traditional classroom training requires the learner to attend classes on a regular basis. However, in today’s business climate, many trainees cannot maintain a regular class schedule and need flexible training that can be delivered when it least impacts their productivity. For example, they may work a night shift that makes it difficult to attend daytime classes, or they may need to fit their training in between job and family obligations. In either case, these adult learners may be best served through e-learning.

Critical Mass: Traditional classroom training usually requires a certain number of trainees to justify the cost of delivery and instructors, But companies often need to train just a few people at a time, either because of their business size or because other employees have already been trained. ACT Centers can provide e-learning solutions that meet the needs of smaller groups of employees with anytime, anywhere training.

Instructor Availability: Subject matter experts are not always available when training is needed. A company may find that the local college cannot deliver training for months because an instructor is already teaching at other companies. ACT Center sites can provide e-learning whenever it is required.

Time: Companies are interested in productivity, which is determined by their ability to run their business effectively and efficiently. Training is no exception. However, when a traditional classroom program is implemented, it usually requires all trainees to take the same content at the same time. E-learning offers trainees the opportunity to test out of the content they already know and take only the content they need, saving time and money. Learners also can take training just before they need it on the job, improving the usefulness of the information they receive.

Content: Traditional programs usually require all trainees to take the same content. However, the reality is that many adults have different experiences and may already understand part of the content. It would be a waste of time for them to go thorough the entire program. And there will be companies that may only want part of a traditional program. E-learning makes it easier to offer just enough training because the stand-alone modules enable clients to choose the training they need.

Pace: According to studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, 30 to 40 percent of the present workforce does not have the necessary prerequisite skills to learn tomorrow’s globally competitive skills. For this reason, and because people have different learning styles, each adult learner may acquire knowledge at a different pace. Most traditional programs offer the same content at the same pace to all trainees. For adults who need an individualized learning pace, e-learning may be a better alternative.

Location: Trainees often are located in different geographical regions and must travel to the training location, which requires a company to spend money on travel and per diem. Neither of these expenses enhances the training process, and travel keeps employees away from their job for a longer time. As companies look for ways to cut nonessential training costs, the option of e-learning becomes a more economical alternative.

Understanding Adult Learning Theory

Malcom Knowles (1913-1997)

Adult education theorist Dr. Malcom Knowles (1913-1997) was known as the “Father of Adult Learning.” He popularized the term “andragogy,” which he defined as an emerging technology for self-directed adult learning. According to Knowles, adults learn best when they:

•  Take responsibility for their own learning
•  Are placed in a program commensurate with their learning skill
•  Are able to progress at their own pace
•  Are able to get immediate feedback
•  Receive contextual learning
•  Are taught according to learning style
•  Do not have to repeat what they already know

If Knowles’ assumptions are correct, many of the needs of adult learners can be met successfully with individualized, competency-based web-delivered courses through ACT Centers.

In the Modern Practice of Adult Education, Knowles outlines the needs of individuals to prevent obsolescence, to achieve self-identity through the development of their full potentialities, and to mature. Prevention of obsolescence opposes the doctrine that learning is primarily a function of youth. “The rapidly accelerating pace of change in our society has proved this doctrine to be no longer valued,” he said. “Facts learned in youth have become insufficient and in many instances actually untrue; and skills learned in youth have become outmoded by new technologies.”