Analysis Of Adult Learning Theories

When we talk about education and training, our first thought is to focus on children. In fact, we often think about childhood being solely focused on training and teaching.

But is this the real point of learning? Giving notions to the younger generation? Is this enough for a life time of education and training?

In previous times, philosophers and educationists focused on the importance of giving a good education to children, to better improve individual learning and also future generations. This was called Pedagogy from paid (child), and Agogus (leader of). However, many experts like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle recognised that if humans wanted to improve their minds, they needed to continue their studies throughout adulthood.

After many experts studied the meaning of learning throughout the years, they came to understand that our experiences are the things that shape us as people. Although this was not initially evident, there are now some theories that can prove it.

The first theory to support this is the Behaviourism Theory. This theory demonstrates the importance of learning from habits and behaviours, mostly through repetition that brings new information into already existent framework. Some examples of this theory could be learning to drive, using seat belts in cars or a smoking habit.

The second theory is called Constructivism, this equates learning with creating meaning from experience. (Bednar et al., 1991)

Constructivists contend that what we know of the world stems from our new interpretations of our experiences. (Peggy A. Ertmer and Timothy J. Newby. Behaviourism, Cognitivism, Constructivism: Comparing Critical Features from an Instructional Design Perspective.,2013;55)

So the new assumptions have to assimilate and combine with the ones that are already channelled inside of the individual.

Another theory to consider is the theory that Alexander App referred to as Platos learning theory Andragogy (1833)

It is not difficult to discover the significance of this theory in every day life, it helped to form the basis of the second model of learning of a higher level. The main factor of the adult learning, or andragogy, is the basis that adults learn better from experience, including mistakes. It explores the importance of adults using their experiences to solve problems. Adults act mostly on the basis that whatever they learn must have immediate relevance to their life, and must have a conclusion to their instruction.

When considering the points outlined above, the real importance of these theories in our present world is that what is learned must be practical, it has to be impactful on real life routine and and also support the changing world and its progressions. To improve ones knowledge is consequential to a need to ensure a positive adaptability, in both the work place and private life of an adult. A positive result is not only personal satisfaction, but could also give value in monetary terms.

In the book ‘Valuing the Impact of Adult Learning’ of Daniel Fujiwara, founding Director of Simetrica and holds research positions at the London School of Economics, there is an analysis of the effect of adult learning on different domains of life such health, social relationships, volunteering, and employment/ employability. The result has been a significant impact of the value of taking part in a part-time adult learning expressed in monetary terms.

Agreeing with the research, broaden your knowledge and learn new things, provide an increase of quality of life that is easily convertible in better positions, an easier career progression and a general well being. Also, economic increase is not just about money, but more in a better quality of life and good prospective for the future.

Having seen the demonstration of the importance and effectiveness of learning in adult age, it would be good to make sure that more and more people could have the possibility to access it and use it and when is not personally possible, then the employers should find a solution, or provide for a help, when this is possible because not only the employees would benefit, but also the owners with a significant improvement in performance and the value of the employees works.