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Adult Learning Theories

  1. The Adult Learning Theory of Malcolm Knowles

  2. Robert Gagne's 9 Events of Instruction

1. The Adult Learning Theory Of Malcolm Knowles

Adults have different training needs and expectations compared to kids, so you need to get acquainted with the main principles of andragogy. Malcolm Knowles defined them some time ago and they are as follows:

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  • Adults need to know that the training will have a direct and immediate impact on their daily job duties. - definite learning objectives specifically and practically 

  • The training needs to be problem-oriented. Your content has to focus on defined problems and how they can be solved. - use real world examples 

  • Adults prefer to learn through their experiences. Your job is to provide them with a safe environment where they can test new things, make mistakes, progress, and use their knowledge.

  • Adults prefer to have a say in the training development and assessment process. - feedback survey/ provide other contact information

2. Robert Gagne’s 9 Events Of Instruction

To create effective training that focuses on the results and changes in learners’ behavior, you can use Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction.

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  1. Gain learners’ attention right at the beginning of the training. To achieve this, you can use an interesting example or a task that they need to complete.

  2. Present the learning objectives. Your learners are adults, and adults want to know why they need to take the training, what’s in it for them, how the training will ease their day-to-day job duties, etc.

  3. Make learners use their current knowledge. Include activities that will make them apply what they already know.

  4. Present the content. Provide learners with new information.

  5. Guide the learners. Supplement the content with examples.

  6. Make learners use what they’ve just learned. Include tasks and exercises that relate to the real-life.

  7. Provide feedback. Give learners regular feedback about their performance.

  8. Test learners’ knowledge. Assess what they have learned during the training.

  9. Help learners remember and use their new knowledge and skills. Provide learners with additional resources—documents, web resources, etc.

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