Based on the Week 1 lessons and your own experience, describe at least three effective strategies and best practices associated with educating adults. Please be sure to explain exactly why these strategies and practices are effective for adult learners. In what ways do these strategies speak to the unique characteristics of adult learners and/or the unique challenges they may face in continuing their educations?
Three effective strategies and best practices for educating adults are:
· Stay engaged in the classroom and with students.
· Help students learn to think critically
· Model your expectations
Starting with the first and most important, staying engaged with students in the class is what established a “social
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As simple as it sounds, an email directly to a student makes this “presence” known and detailed feedback gives student the feeling of concern and compassion that a simple grade doesn’t provide. Ultimately it does come down to the student feeling important and utilizing social presence is a great way to provide this feeling. Also, sincere concern and passion for a student’s success helps solidify a social presence, regardless of being online or in a brick-and-mortar environment. When it comes to adult learners as well as younger learners, the need for engagement and social presence is a must. However, with adult learners being engaged in the class sets up the opportunity for a greater application of knowledge as they will feel more confident to ask questions related to life situations and their experience. With a social presence established you are able to help students think critically which also ties into experience which is greater in adult learners. Critical thinking is fundamental to the learning process and by guiding students to learn and think critically they can apply the learned skills better in their real life. Furthermore, critical thinking allows students to question so called experts and