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Do students want the responsibility of self-direction?

Many of the adult students I have encountered have expressed that they feel most confident when they have received very specific instruction from their instructors. They do prefer to self-direct when it comes to refining their academic pursuits; yet, they appear to want to be direction to avoid any possibility of failure.

This has been my experience as well. No one wants to waste their time as well as money for less than good grades. Lots of adults pay for their education out of their own pocket verses our younger students who seem to be stuck in high school mode.

Hi Deborah,
I have found in my 25+ years of teaching that even adult learners need and want direction. Most students feel as though that they are being thrown to the wolves, if they do not have any direction.

Patricia Scales

Hi Carlton,
Most adult learners are serious learners. They have realized that they do not have time to waste.

Patricia Scales

My youthful students seem to lack any kind of confidence, while my adult students seem to want instruction one time, and then let them alone. They want direction, then learn from their mistakes. While the younger students are never certain what the next step should be, and are afraid to commit to possibly making a wrong choice.

Hi Thomas,
Our younger students are just not made from the same thread as our older students. Younger students are too dependent.

Patricia Scales

The older students seem to prefer a structured class. The younger students seem to "need" a more structured class, although they would prefer when asked they would like a less structured class.

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