The adult learner comes to college with a wealth of experiences and knowledge that is not typically found in the traditional undergraduate student. They expect to be active participants in the learning process, want to learn pragmatic skills that will help them reach their goals, and they have a desire to learn. Brining out those experiences and encouraging active and robust discussion between the learner and the instructor, and between learners, is a key concept to increase engagement and reinforce the course concepts and objectives. One challenge with the adult learner is they come with a life philosophy and in many cases firm opinions and thoughts about a variety of topics. As Tasia Ellis said, we need to challenge them to think about why they think what they do. For example, moving people on the ethics scale from personal interest to a more post-conventional way of examining moral dilemmas forces people into a position to consider someone else’s perspective. I think by encouraging dialog and bringing in reality-based learning activities adult students can be challenged to grow and do so in a manner that is inclusive.
