Understanding the Adult Learner — Theory and Skills to Become a More Effective Professional Learning Designer and Facilitator

3 Units
Online Self-Paced
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Course Description

Shift from Creating and Teaching Curriculum for K-12 Students to Designing and Presenting Professional Learning Experiences for Adult Learners

This course will focus on building your understanding of the differences between working with adult learners and typical K-12 students. This course will use Andragogy as the foundation for Adult Learning Theory which explains how an adult gains and accepts knowledge successfully. You will learn how to leverage this theory when developing professional learning for peers and other adults. You will also be introduced to practical tools to design effective learning experiences and learn how to identify when adults are ready to receive knowledge. This course is a blend of theory and application and will ensure that you are capable and prepared to meet the needs of adult learners you work with.

NOTE:  This course is not applicable toward Adult Education preliminary credential in California.

Course Details

Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for any educator looking to hone skills in designing and facilitating professional learning experiences for other adults (workshops, trainings, presentations, courses) by understanding adult learning theory and implementing skills to reach the adult learner.

Course Materials: Text, The Adult Learner: The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and Human Resource Development (10th Edition) by Malcolm Knowles, Elwood Holton III, Richard Swanson, and Petra Robinson available at Amazon.com or your local bookstore.  Ebook and paperback versions are available. This same book will be used in the following two courses (EDU-X716S and EDU-X717S) in the Professional Development Facilitation and Leadership Certificate Program.

Technical Requirements

Course Options

Course Date Units Price

What You Will Learn

  • Identify concepts of adult learning and the importance of adult-centered design in professional learning
  • Differentiate between pedagogy and andragogy, emphasizing the significance of the "need to know" for adult learners
  • Describe the andragogical process model and its core elements relevant to adult learning
  • Apply the process model by designing learning experiences that address adult learners’ readiness to learn
  • Evaluate strategies that shift the learning orientation from subject-centered to problem-centered for adult learners
  • Analyze how historical perspectives and motivational factors impact adult learning and influence instructional design
  • Integrate the principles and models of adult learning to design effective professional learning experiences tailored for adults

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Why USD?

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

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Learning Method Information

Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational.

Online Self-Paced

Our online self-paced courses are similar to online fixed-date courses, but are designed to give you a six-month period from time of enrollment to complete all assignments. Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.

How is the self-paced course structured? Like fixed-date courses, online self-paced courses are asynchronous meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime; the difference being there are no assigned due dates in self-paced courses. The content is divided into learning modules. Each module will cover one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:

  • Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
  • Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, websites, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
  • Assignments (which may include: written assignments, quizzes, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
  • Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
  • Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.

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Our educator courses offer flexible course formats and class times to help you balance your work, USD studies, and family life.

Testimonial

Understanding the Adult Learner — Theory and Skills to Become a More Effective Professional Learning Designer and Facilitator

Appropriately challenging course with well design module assignments. One of the best USD courses I have taken.