2 FULL pages course reflection

Chapter 12 Reflection

Shay McElveen

Ball State University

EDAC 634

Chapter twelve has been a learning experience for me because I have understood the influence of biological and psychological changes in adulthood on adult adults' learning ability and effectiveness. I have understood that biological changes in adulthood such as deterioration of sight and hearing and psychological development changes such as decline in cognitive abilities affect most areas of adult learning. Psychological changes in adulthood can lead to problem behaviors due to increased anxiety, anger, and depression in older learners, and thus affect their learning endeavors. The three major cognitive developments, which are likely to affect learning in adult learners, are linked to advanced reasoning skills, ability to think abstractly, and meta-cognition. Conversely, meta-cognition in adults is related to individual identity since older adults might begin to think about others’ perceptions of them. The lack of social support and physical support could all result in deteriorated health among older adults and can adversely affect their cognitive functioning. The principles of adult learner experience and adult learner respect are at the core of effective adult learning style because older adults can leverage their traditional education experiences and relate them to their learning objectives. Adult learners can also engage in collaborative learning with their peers by incorporating their interpersonal competences into their learning endeavors. Thus, I have understood that the idea of supplementing adult learning principles with multiple resources can enable older adults to get the best out of their learning endeavors.

The entire course has been imperative to my learning about adult education. I find the information on the psychosocial development in late adulthood insightful because individuals experience a number of specific conflicts and crises can affect learning. I particularly like the manner in which chapter 12 describes different human development stages and the physical, social, intellectual, cognitive, perceptual, and personality developments individuals undergo. What I found specifically interesting is the idea that each stage of human development is defined by the developmental task. Thus, older adults in adult educational institutions have to grapple with the two opposing demands of getting the right balance in their learning journey.

The five key points I have acquired from this chapter are as follows:

1. Individuality, identity development, and personal behavior affect learning adult learning. As such, support from all stakeholders is important to ensure that adult learners are able to focus on their own learning and participate in activities that can allow them to learn effectively.

2. A host of psychosocial stressful events are induced by stressors such as psychopathology and anxiety, which cause reduced educational achievement adult learners.

3. Environmental changes can result in mental or psychological disorders among older adults; therefore, adult educators should come up with effective ways to help them achieve pleasure and find meaning, despite their physical and social decline.

4. Psychological changes in adulthood can lead to problem behaviors due to increased anxiety, anger, and depression in older learners, and thus affect their learning endeavors.

5. Older learners are self-sufficient, socially and emotionally intelligent, and committed to their learning endeavors.

I feel a thorough orientation on theoretical knowledge of human development stages would be important to future students of this chapter, as they get can vital insights into adulthood development and how biological and psychosocial development affects adult learning. This knowledge will equip them with better understanding of the effects of contextual forces on classroom learning and late-life experiences in adulthood.

Overall I feel chapter 12 is a much needed part of our textbook. Honestly, I would have normally not believed that it was important to know about the central nervous system or senses being an educator, but my thoughts have been altered. The developmental characteristics of our learners are just as important as knowing learning styles to ensure we are able to become the best possible educators.