Motivation in Theory and Practice | Origin: ED112R
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Enhancing the Motivation of Adult Students --> Motivation in Theory and Practice
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
From this module, I learned that motivation plays an important role in student success and that every student is motivated differently. I learned that creating a positive, supportive, and encouraging learning environment can make a big difference in helping students stay engaged and reach their goals. I intend to apply what I have learned by getting to know my students, understanding their individual needs, recognizing their efforts, and providing positive encouragement. I also want to be consistent, patient, and respectful while helping students build confidence and develop a love for learning. My goal is to help every student feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best.
I learned that adult learners are often motivated by a practical goal and also if what they're learning applies to their real-life situations. I think it's important to make the material we teach relevant, rather than just presenting information without context. Adults also bring their own experiences into their learning process, so finding ways to keep the material useful can make a big difference.
Adult learners are very logical, and grounded. They want to see practical steps, which lead to practical results. They want to understand why things are happening. The sort of "I'm the teacher, and it's like this because I said so" type of teaching doesn't really work and can yield adverse results. Meet adult learners on their level.
As an instructor, I’ve noticed that adult learners bring a different level of focus and engagement to the classroom. They value building connections with their peers and instructor, making the learning experience more enjoyable and meaningful. As a student, I always appreciated hands-on learning, and I make it a point to bring that same interactive, practical approach to my classes.
Adults like tangible outcomes and projects that have measurable results. Adult learners like relatability with their instructors as well.
Adult learners have a lot of outside influences that can contribute or hinder their learning at any given time. I feel like the content / class should be aimed at getting the information across using real world examples and helping them understand how to complete the assignments based off of that standard.
Adult Learners value their time and seek measurable outcomes. I imagine this drives their motivation to learn and shapes their preference for a practical, results-oriented learning experience.
In this module, I learned that adults differ from younger students in motivation, experience, and how they want to learn the material. They are more self-directed and self-motivated than younger students and want to apply their skills to real-life situations.
From my experience, adult learners are more motivated when they understand how what they're learning can help them reach their personal and career goals. I will say though, at times adult learners disconnect due to having personal commitments like families and work, so recognizing their progress and encouraging them along the way can help them stay on track and remind them of their goals.
Adult learners have the benefit of autonomously coming to their education. This is quite different from the mindset that children bring to their education, and this is an important distinction to keep in mind when teaching adults. There is also a major benefit here for educators.
With all the responsibilities and commitments adult learners have, it's no surprise that their time is beyond valued as well as what they already know.
Making the learning more tied to goals and how relevant the tasks are would be great motivation in their time as students.
In feedback, I make sure to let remind them of not only "how" to do the assignment, but "why" we spend time on the task at hand since it does matter for their career.
Adult education often focuses on practical application and problem solving rather than memorization of facts.
As an instructor, understanding that adult learners have clear goals and personal challenges, finding ways to connect with them to facilitate that learning process is key. If the instructions don't have clear goals that align with their personal goals, it becomes harder to motivate them. I always like connecting to students on a personal level, understanding what their careers goals are. This helps me to envelop the content and individual feedbacks in such a way that I can create some motivation.
This module helped to remind me that adult students in particular really need to know the "why" we're learning something, and they carry their experiences into what they're learning.
I learned that adult learners value having their time respected and benefit most from curriculum that connects directly to real-world applications and personal experiences. Incorporating practical exercises and relevant examples helps adult learners recognize the value of what they are learning, apply new knowledge to real-life situations, and make meaningful progress toward their personal and professional goals.
I also learned that teaching adult learners differs from teaching children. Adult learners often draw upon their existing knowledge, life experiences, and professional backgrounds to understand and absorb new information. In contrast, children may have fewer prior experiences to draw from and can find unfamiliar concepts more challenging to process. Understanding these differences allows educators to adapt their teaching strategies to meet learners' unique needs, promote engagement, and create a more effective learning environment.
I also like Victor Vroom's Expectancy Theory: M = E x I x V (Motivation = Expectancy x Instrumentality x Valence)
I learned that adult learners potentially have more to handle outside of their learning environment, and they respect concise instructive, relatability, and flexibility. Encouraging discussions that are engaging and purposeful are key. I plan on applying this to my lesson plans and course outcomes by creating more group discussions by drawing inspiration from my adult learner's own experiences.
I have learned that adult learners have the need for flexibility and often have internal motivation to strive for their goals.
In this module, I learned that adult learners are often more resilient in their educational pursuits because they are driven by long-term goals, personal growth, and intrinsic motivation.
Adult learners are motivated chiefly by internal factors and use their life experiences as important support in their overall learning activities.
