Digital Promise Signature Workspace
Real-world Learning for Adults
Real-world Learning Factors
With increased life experiences, social interactions, and participation in education, adult learners bring a plethora of Background Knowledge to learning.
Learner Mindset includes learners' self-concept and self-efficacy beliefs as well as their persistence at learning tasks.
Problem Solving skills help adults think critically and creatively to navigate different challenges or conflicts, including those arising in personal, career, or academic settings.
Reasoning is the cognitive ability that allows us to notice similarities and relationships across contexts.
Metacognition is the ability to think about our internal cognitive processes, or to "think about thinking".
Real-World Learning Strategies
Adult learner
When adults can connect and communicate with authentic audiences about their interests and values, learning becomes more personally meaningful and relevant.
Adult learner
Adult learners can self-organize into groups called communities of practice to engage in longer-term examination of a topic to build deeper understanding.
Adult learner
Competency-based learning is self-paced, focused on mastery, and centered around demonstrating learning outcomes and skills rather than where or how they were attained.
Adult learner
Case studies support authentic, active learning experiences centered around real world situations that present an account of a particular set of circumstances for learners to engage with.
Adult learner
Understanding adults' lived experiences and cultural backgrounds and connecting them to instructional practices helps all learners feel like valued members of the community.
Adult learner
Experiential learning is learning by doing, which may include self-directed learning activities.
Adult learner
Problem-based learning (PBL) is a learner-centered multidisciplinary approach focused on real world applications using active learning methods.
Adult learner
When instructors are able to provide context, and connect math concepts to an adult learner's world, math can be seen as relevant and applicable to their daily lives and work- a core aspect of adult Numeracy.
Adult learner
Simulations and immersive virtual environments provide authentic learning at a level that can spark curiosity and deeper understanding by engaging multiple senses in exploration.
