Adult Learning: How to Learn as an Adult

Effects of Technology on Adult Learning 

In the last few years, technologies with the ability to support the development of literature for both adults and adolescents have been emerging rapidly, and have become even more affordable. Even though learning is self-directed, it will rarely occur in splendid isolation, but it has to take place around the world that the learner is living. Therefore, due to the need to have learning integrated into the learner's world, adult education has experienced major effects from the changes being experienced in the moderns’ world (Merriam, 2007) . Some of the ways adult learning has been affected by technology include, today, more adults are making the decision to acquire education due to the changes being experienced in the world today. Today, human beings are faced by the challenge of operating the different technologies being adopted in different sectors hence creating a need for the adult population to acquire education on the computer and other innovations as a way of ensuring they effectively survive in the ever-changing world due to technologies. For example, technologies have impacted all sectors including Auto mechanics where today, they are expected to be trained on ways of diagnosing engines problems using computers, among other essential services that have been automated demanding knowledge on different elements hence forcing the adult population to go back to learning some of these skills so that they can better function in their environment Also, adult education is supposed to interlock with the social context hence, the advancement in technology has changed the ways adult learning is done, where today, they have to offer education based on the technological needs in the society compared to decades ago where most of the adult learning involved manual jobs such as plumbing, speaking certain language or even reading only (Merriam, 2007) .

Reason Some Adult Are More Prone To Continue Learning than Other 

Adult learning is a huge field of practice, and unlike other forms of learning, it does not have neat boundaries such as age which is common in elementary and secondary education. unlike other forms of education, adult learning is a voluntary activity hence people will participate for different reasons, due to the different conditions in their life which promote the need to have certain skills (Merriam, 2007) . Some of the adults are prone to continue learning to compare to others include; adults are busy because of the various responsibilities including family, job among others. regardless of the important roles and responsibilities they have in the society, some millions end up enrolling into adult education, due to the needs surrounding them including the introduction of technology in their workplace hence creating a need to understand how to work in the changing environment and become competitive hence they enroll in different courses. Secondly, some adults are prone to adult learning than others is the need for personal development. Some adults need to continue learning so that they can be able to address the various needs arising in the modern world even in the social context. For example, there are changes in children healthy hence; some adult parents may decide to acquire adult education as a way of increasing their health literacy which is essential in bringing up healthy family and children (Merriam, 2007) . However, some may not find it essential to gain health literacy hence they will never be interested in adult learning on the basis of health. Lastly, there are adults who are attracted to adult education because education is satisfying. For example, adults experiencing different transitions in their life including marriages, children, and retirement tend to acquire adult education as a way of increasing their chances of remaining in their careers. Therefore, other adults who are not experiencing the same may not find any interest in adult education.

Barriers to Adult Learning 

In order to understand some of the barriers to adult learning, it is essential to consider some of the characteristics of adult learners. Adult learners are self-directed and autonomous meaning; they should be free to direct themselves. The issue of being autonomous and self-directed may create a barrier where whenever teachers deny them the opportunity to direct themselves, it results in teacher-learner conflict hence resulting in most adult learners quitting their courses (Merriam, 2007) . Also, adults are relevancy oriented meaning; once adult learners find out that the education they are acquiring will not have any positive impact on their careers or current transitions in life, they tend to quit and find other ways of acquiring the knowledge they need hence affecting the number of adult student institutions. Other factors creating barriers to adult learning include the element of aging. Adults are people who are 25 years and over, and most of the adults experience different issues including loss of vision, and hearing which have a major effect on the capacity of hearing, especially where adults have to participate in formal education (Merriam, 2007) . Also, some adults stay focused on one thing and fail to identify other opportunities such as adult learning which may impact their lives or careers positively. Such adults impact the adult education negatively due to their contribution to a low number of adults enrolling in the adult education. Lastly, some adults become anxious and concerned about whether they will make it in the learning environment and in most cases, their negative perception towards school make them change their attitude towards adult learning. However, there is a need to increase awareness of the importance of adult learning on the adults especially those in different careers.

Reference

Merriam, S.B., Caffarella, R.S., & Baumgartner, L.M (2007). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide . San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass