Adult Learning Theory For Twenty-First Century

Rena Brooks
March 25, 2013
INFT101 – C40 LUO

Summary
In the twentieth century the adult learning theory was perceived as the way the mind thinks and how the mind obtains information that is presented and how the information is being utilized to help the adult learner to become more knowledgeable and successful in life. Sharron Merriam states “adult learning is a complex phenomenon that can never be reduced to a single, simple explanation; rather it is an ever-changing mosaic where old pieces are rearranged and new pieces are added.” (Merriam, Sharron B. Adult Learning Theory for Twenty-First Century Chapter 9 p 94) In general adult learning is not by thought or intuition, it is complicated which cannot be reduced to a simple idea or
One of those learning theories would be the narrative theory presented by Clark and Rossiter’s. Clark and Rossiter state that” we learn through stories of others by creating narratives”. (Merriam, Sharron B. Adult Learning Theory for Twenty-First Century Chapter 9 p 96) By creating these narratives, the adult learner is trying to understand the information that is being presented so the learner would be able to better understand the information and make sound judgment. Merriam states that the “nature of learning is often construed to a more holistic approach” or a more knowledgeable approach. Taylor and Lamoreaux write in their chapter how the brain changes while learning. Taylor and Lamoreaux states for the brain to make meaningful connection learning would need to be physical and embodied experience. Without any physicality or responses there is no basis for
These learners are considered to be the non-traditional learners. There is the adult learner who has never entered college life just have a GED or diploma and decided to enter college in search of a degree plan. There’s the adult learner, who would be considered the workplace learner because they are going back to school to either increase their skill level for the new job promotion or due to loss of employment and the need to learn a new skill or better the skills they possess or you could be that adult learner who decided to join the military right after graduating high school and now you are no longer in the service and deciding you want to attend college. For myself, I am the workplace learner. Recently let go from my employer I find myself returning to school in hopes of a degree plan that would better my skills as well as increase in income to take better care of my family. As the adult learner I find myself getting frustrated or discouraged because I wonder why I have to do a particular assignment I want that “immediate relevance” but I press forward because I know that in the end my degree would be worth it after all. So no matter which type of adult learner you may be, keep in mind that adult learning process is forever changing. Just take your adult learning one step at a