Adult education follows two distinct models. Each model takes a unique approach to instruction, engaging learners in different ways.
The first model is the formal instructional approach, commonly seen on college campuses. In this model, an expert presents their knowledge and experience to a group of learners. The learners come expecting to listen and absorb the expert’s wisdom.
The focus remains on the expert, who delivers information through lectures, often using PowerPoint slides. Learners typically play a passive role, listening and taking notes. The expert leads the session, doing most of the talking and explaining concepts in depth.
This model works well when the goal is to transfer large amounts of technical knowledge. Expert Presenters are knowledgeable, credible, and committed to their subject matter. They establish rapport by sharing personal stories, offering real-life examples, and answering audience questions.
Expert Presenters often provide plenty of reference material and may occasionally involve learners through questions or brief discussions. However, the learning is largely one-sided, with the expert guiding the process.
The second model takes a more informal approach to adult learning, often found in organizations. The instructor facilitates learning through participatory activities, enabling learners to discover and practice new skills.
In this model, learners are active participants, offering their own insights and demonstrating what they’ve learned. The focus is on the learners, and their prior experiences serve as valuable sources of information. The Learning Facilitator guides the process, but learners take the lead in discovering new knowledge.
Learning is an active, hands-on process. The Learning Facilitator uses a variety of activities to ensure that concepts are understood before moving forward. PowerPoint is used sparingly, only to support, not replace, the learning activities.
Learning Facilitators must be highly skilled presenters and storytellers, just like Expert Presenters. However, they involve learners more deeply by encouraging them to share their stories and engage in meaningful activities. They design learning experiences that appeal to different learning styles, ensuring that visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners all benefit.
The best model of adult education depends on the desired outcome. If the goal is simply to raise awareness or introduce brand-new knowledge, the Expert Presenter model is effective. In this model, learners absorb information presented by an expert. They are exposed to new concepts and gain a broad understanding of the subject matter.
However, knowledge without comprehension is incomplete. Comprehension is essential for deeper understanding and for influencing attitudinal changes. This is where the Learning Facilitator model shines.
The Expert Presenter approach is useful for presenting information. A great story or example may engage learners, but to achieve deeper understanding, the learners need to do more than just listen. They must interact with the content and demonstrate their grasp of it. This is where the limitations of lecture-based learning become evident. While an expert’s presentation can inspire or inform, it rarely changes behavior on its own.
When comprehension, new learning, or a change in attitude or behavior is required, the Learning Facilitator model is necessary. To ensure learners understand the material, facilitators use interactive methods such as case studies, role plays, or games. These methods engage multiple senses and allow participants to experience and articulate their new knowledge. Comprehension is achieved when learners can demonstrate their understanding, not just listen passively.
At the next level of learning—application—the Learning Facilitator model becomes even more crucial. Here, learners need hands-on activities, problem-solving tasks, or simulations to practice their skills. This practical experience solidifies their learning and increases the chances of behavior change. Only by actively using their newfound skills can learners build confidence in their abilities.
As learners advance to higher levels of learning, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, they need increasingly complex activities. The Learning Facilitator designs exercises that challenge participants to break down concepts (analysis), create new ideas (synthesis), and make informed judgments (evaluation). Through active, hands-on practice, learners become more confident in their competence.
While the Expert Presenter builds confidence in the expert’s knowledge and competence, it does not build the learners’ confidence in their own abilities. Learners may leave impressed by the presenter’s expertise but without the skills to apply what they have learned.
In contrast, the Learning Facilitator empowers learners by actively involving them in the learning process. By practicing and demonstrating their skills, learners leave with confidence in their own abilities. This confidence makes it far more likely that they will apply their new skills in the real world, leading to lasting behavioral change.
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