Adult education may occur in the workplace, at a secondary school, in an adult learning center at universities or at community colleges. Over the past few decades, researchers have found that adult pupils are very different from children in how they learn and what they need from an instructor. This collective body of research is known as the “adult learning theory.” Many well-known psychologists have written on this topic, which has recently come into the spotlight since so many male and female adults are looking to further their education, acquire new computer skills and advance in the workforce.
The first adult learning styles writings were published by adult learning theory pioneer David Kolb in 1984. He argued that there are four distinct learning styles: Diverging, Assimilating, Converging and Accommodating and that there are also four phases for each style, which are Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization and Active Experimentation. “Divergers” are sensitive and emotional, prefer to watch rather than do, enjoy brainstorming and information gathering, and are receptive to feedback. “Convergers” love technical tasks and problem solving, can easily apply practical uses for theories, are less interested in social-personal issues, and like simulations or new ideas. “Assimilators” need clear explanations and logical reasoning, they’re good at organizing data, they are less focused on people and more interested in abstract concepts, and they like readings and analytical models to further their understanding. Lastly, “Accommodators” are hands-on and intuitive, they like to use other people’s experiences, they love new challenges and experiences, they like working in teams and they prefer to work in the field. Once new information has been absorbed, adults will then make observations based on their experiences, create concepts and actively test these concepts in the real world.
Many subsequent theories define adult learning theory further by attempting to classify personality types. For instance, Carl Jung spoke about “introverts” and “extroverts,” which reveals how a person is comfortable adapting to the world. The Myers-Briggs Personality Test examines different personality types like ENFP, INTJ, etc. Researchers Honey & Mumford talk about “activists,” “pragmatists,” “theorists” and “reflectors.” Lastly, Howard Gardner talks about how adults learn faster by different methods — whether it’s by sight, sound, touch, spatial reasoning or interpersonal modes. This theory is called “Multiple Intelligences Theory,” which has recently helped numerous adults achieve levels of competency they never thought possible.
In Howard Gardner’s adult learning theory of “Multiple Intelligences,” he purports that not every individual learns the same way. The underlying assumption is that perhaps many students fall behind in school because so much emphasis is placed on reading-and-instant-absorption, which is not how all students learn best. He says there are visual learners who like maps, charts, pictures, videos and movies; there are verbal learners who like words, story telling, humor, writing and speaking; there are logical learners who use reason, numbers, patterns, logic and experiments; there are kinesthetic learners who use space, movement, touch, coordination and their environment; there are musical learners who think in sounds, rhymes and patterns; there are interpersonal learners who use verbal communication, body language and empathy; and there are intrapersonal learners who use inner thoughts, feelings, dreams and intuitions. Of course, not all female and male adults fall into just one intelligence style. They may exhibit a combination approach as well, but this style will affect how people learn, understand, remember and choose a suitable career path.
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