How to Take Down Barriers to Adult Learning
Providing quality adult learning or training is about more than the curriculum you offer or the instructors you hire—it’s about the unique needs of your participants. For corporate development programs or industry-specific training, adult-centered instruction and support are key.
All paths to education are not without challenges, but the barriers to adult learning are particularly tricky. The more you learn about how adults learn and what motivates them, the easier it is to overcome those barriers.
The Principles of Adult Learning Theory
The educational needs of adults look a lot different from traditional education for children. American educator Malcolm Knowles, known for his exploration into Adult Learning Theory, identified four main principles to keep in mind when teaching adults:
- Adults need involvement in their own education planning and evaluation.
- Activities should be based on learning from individual experience (and mistakes).
- Curriculum should have immediate relevance and impact to an individual’s job or life.
- Lessons are most effective when they are oriented around a problem that needs to be solved.
Rather than the instructor-led direction of childhood education, adults are more self-motivated and interested in opportunities that allow them to learn in relevant and flexible ways.
Barrier 1: Finding Time for Education
Whether they’re looking to expand their professional skills in their chosen profession or thinking about switching careers altogether, one of the biggest challenges is finding the amount of time education or training requires.
Education providers can mitigate this by meeting learners where they are. Offer flexible learning formats that allow them to choose the best time for them to engage in lessons, send them reminders and course updates in the way that is most convenient (even through text message), and automate things like course evaluations and certificate issuing wherever possible.
Barrier 2: Working with New Technology
One of the biggest barriers to continuing education for adults is technology. It can be daunting for many people to consider taking a course to learn new skills if they’re concerned that it may be difficult to use or interact with the course material in a digital environment.
This is why the user experience of any digital platform is crucial. And that experience starts with registration. Platforms like Learning Stream feature a simple navigation that allows participants to easily find and register for courses, access materials, and track their progress. A focus on good user experience ensures participants can dedicate their time to learning rather than struggling with platform navigation.
Barrier 3: Moving Away from the One-Size-Fits-All Model
Because education for adults is more effective when it’s personalized and relevant to their daily lives, a one-size-fits-all model is not going to work. Not only is it not flexible enough for learners to work around busy schedules, it also doesn’t allow for enough individual involvement.
Learning Stream addresses this challenge by offering personalized learning paths, enabling organizations to customize learning experiences based on individual needs and goals. Participants are able to see upcoming milestones, prepare for requirements, or adjust their pathways as needed.
From creating personalized learning paths to simplifying course management with user-friendly features, Learning Stream is designed to remove barriers and empower adult learners.
Contact us to get started with Learning Stream today.
