Practicing Research Analysis

Article: Principles of Adult Learning

The author addresses six factors or concepts that serve as sources of motivating the adult learner and they are as follows: “social relationships, external expectations, social welfare, personal advancement, escape/stimulation, and cognitive interest.” (Stephen Lieb).

When one looks at “social welfare,” and the effect it has on our society as a whole, we have to be able to identify that it really cripples people instead of motivating them. When one is better educated, one does not only improve his personal status, but that of ones surroundings, ones family, and community. Thus “improve ability to serve mankind, prepare for service to the community, and improve ability to participate in community work”. (Stephen Lieb). The one thing that motivated me to return to college to obtain another degree was so that I would be in a better position to be promoted to the next level in my career. There are always “requirements for competence or licensing, an expected promotion, job enrichment, a need to maintain old skills or learn, new ones, a need to adapt to job changes, or the need to learn in order to comply with company directives.” (Stephen Lieb).

One of the ways to motivate is by “reinforcement, teaching/learning process; through it, instructors encourage correct modes of behavior and performance.” When learning new skills, “positive reinforcement is normally used by the instructor who are teaching participants new” areas of learning.

When one can see the need for change “authentic reflectiveness leads to a healthy motivation to change. Motivation is crucial. Without a drive to change, nothing much of significance will happen.” (Paul & Elder) (p.259).

Most adults when they return to school are truly motivated because they are self-motivated or “goal-oriented.” They have to come to realize within themselves that knowledge is power and to be able to keep up with the changing times and to be better able to communicate to their children and grandchildren, we must step up our pace and keep up with the trends of the time.

One of the advantages that adults bring with them is the experience they have gained in life. This makes them focused. Malcom Knowles says, “adults are autonomous and self-directed. They need to be free to direct themselves. Their teachers must actively involve adult participants in the learning process and serve as facilitators for them.”