NO, REALLY!  WHAT IS LEARNING?

What is Learning?
Learning is the process of keeping your mind and body engaged—at any age—by actively pursuing knowledge and experience.

While many companies support learning with their employees to keep their skills up-to-date, you don’t need a job to enjoy learning and it's rewards. In fact, learning something just for fun can be a more rewarding experience.

The Benefits of Learning for Adults 50+
The pursuit of knowledge — even if it’s learning how to bowl, knit, dance, or improve a golf swing, it has great benefits for older adults:

  • Improves memory
  • Keeps the mind sharp
  • Increases self-confidence
  • Builds on skills already learned
  • Introduces a way to try something new
  • Gives you a feeling of accomplishment
  • Saves money as you learn to “do it yourself”
  • Helps meet people who share common interests
  • Offers an opportunity to learn and increase income
     ~  and ~
  • Provides a new interest in life!

 

HOW DO WE LEARN?
Learning and effective teaching for older adults have not been extensively researched although the principles of adult learning have been xplained by Knowles (1984),

A readiness to learn and a motivation to master new information are critical factors in effective learning by older adults.  Basically, for adults, there must be a desire to learn for it to be effective!

  • Older adults tend to learn new material more slowly than younger adults do.
     
  • Age-related changes are not the only factor involved in learning effectiveness; individual differences in one's learning ability are also important.
     
  • Instruction and practice (repetition) can improve the elder's learning performance.
     
  • Older adults learn more effectively when the information is related to things they already know.
     
  • It is believed that older adults are better at understanding the meaning, rather than the details, (Radvansky, Zwaan, Curiel, & Copeland, 2001).
     
  • Differences between the younger and older adults show poorer short-term memory and increased time needed to process information in the older adults.
     
  • Older adults need to deliberate over information to improve comprehension.
     
  • When information is presented as a lecture or verbal presentation, older adults' learning is enhanced by taking notes.
     
  • Older adults must practice a new skill, or rehearse new information, in order to learn it (Fenter, 2002).
 
LEARNING METHODS

The analytical style is "ask assertive" and tends to control emotions.  This style is restrained in communication.  The voice is often subdued, frequently monotone.  The focus is on tasks.  They have great interest for, and appreciation of, facts and data.  The analytical style is reserved in the pace of speech, speaking more slowly and offering fewer statements.  Their body language is more controlled and reserved.  They may "clam up" with those who are overly aggressive or emotional.

 

The driving style is "tell assertive" and tends to control emotions but tends to make more statements.  They speak fast and are very direct.  Though they don't often use a wide range of vocal tone or inflection, they often speak louder than those of other styles.  The driving style tends to focus on results and outcomes.  They may become impatient with those who take too long to make decisions or those who are overly emotional.

 

The amiable style is "ask assertive" and tends to display emotions.  They speak more slowly and thoughtfully, use variety in their vocal tone, and they're very sensitive to the needs or reactions of others.  The amiable style is the most concerned with relationships and can become upset if there is discord in the office.  They can lose sight of practicality if overwhelmed with emotional issues or relationship problems.

 

The expressive style is "tell assertive" and tends to display emotions.  Individuals of the expressive behavioral type tend to make more statements.  They speak faster, use more variety in their vocal tone, and they're frequently very animated in conversation.  The expressive style tends to focus on issues with people, and they often use stories in making their points.  They are often highly spontaneous and can generate high-energy and creative ideas for the practice.  Follow-through, however, can be a challenge for these folks.

AS A TRAINER -WE TAKE ALL THE ABOVE INTO CONSIDERATION

We assess the client's learning style and move into gear, helping to learn in such a way to draw mental pictures of what needs to be learned. 

It's a partnership of desire, will, and timing.  When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!