Assumptions About Adult Learning

1. Learning is an active process of construction of meaning.
2. A fundamental aim of education is the development of meaning.
3. A fundamental aim of instruction is to facilitate growth in critical thinking, problem solving, and learning to learn. (Dirkx & Lavin, 1995)
4. Adults learn best when:

   a) they feel comfortable with the learning environment and they attempt tasks that allow them to succeed within the contexts of their limited time and demanding lives;

   b) they provide input into the planning of their own learning goals and processes;

   c) they have opportunities to engage in social learning, i.e., they learn from peers as well as from an instructor;

   d) they have a variety of options appropriate to their learning styles (including sensory modalities, ways of thinking, and both individual and group learning) and have opportunities to analyze and expand their modes of learning.

   e) they are able to associate new learning with previous experiences and to use those experiences while learning;

   f) they have an opportunity to apply theory/information to practical situations in their own lives.