A common belief among many people is that the learning process is completed upon graduation. Thus adult education is considered a self-improvement activity that is normally pursued in only during one's leisure time. However, in order to cope with the ...
A common belief among many people is that the learning process is completed upon graduation. Thus adult education is considered a self-improvement activity that is normally pursued in only during one's leisure time. However, in order to cope with the rapid social and technological changes of today, adults of this era need constant training to keep up with the pace of change even if they have completed a formal education, It is the pace of today's life which makes it essential for continuous learning throughout one's lifetime.
However, the task of educating adults is unlike educating children in that adults may not be as motivated to learn in addition to having many external responsibilities which may hinder participation in the learning process. The job for adult educators to motivate adults to be self-directed learnersis therefore a difficult one.
The purpose of this article is to present a basic understanding about adult teaching-learning transactions. By gaining an understanding of theories of adult learning and exposure to traditional practices in adult education, adult educators can develop effective education strategies to facilitate adult learning and find applicable teaching styles currently in practice in order to assist adult learners overcome many of the existing barriers that prevent them from voluntary participation in the learning process.