Adult learning

Reading the last chapter in learning in adulthood made me reflect on where I am myself in my own learning. Bateson, on page 430, laments the fact that learning for adults is often studied as this compartmentalized activity that does not seemed to be recognized as an integrated facet of adult life. I would have to agree. It seems another way of erroneously intermingling childhood learning , which certainly is compartmentalized in formal education systems, with adult learning. Bateson makes the point that learning occurs every day within common tasks that adults perform.

I would have to agree. I was recently asked to participate in a focus group at work in which the purpose was to gain a better understanding of the development needs of HR personal. While some in the group saw that as gaining certifications in various areas, my interests were less in formal programs and more in experiences where I can learn more about the business I support. As an instructional designer, I have to focus not only on my core craft, but learn as much about the industry that I’m working in to be as effective as I can at my job. For the past 5 years, every day was almost a mini-medical school for me as I worked with individuals running clinical trials. In my new position, I am learning manufacturing from all facets – engineering, operating and planning. Not a day passes where I do not learn something new and it doesn’t require any kind of formal program to do so. In fact, a formal program would probably hinder, not help, my learning, since I would not be able to direct my own learning and it would not be experience based.

After reading this chapter, I also began to think that one of the key differences between children and adults learning is reflection. Merriam emphasized experience as a key difference, but it seems to me that the increase of experience is just a trigger for the increased reflection that occurs. I also find myself nearing my mid-thirties and after dealing with my own health issues, losing a parent, supporting a sibling through 2 divorces and almost losing my best friend in child birth this year, doing far more critical reflection than I would have just a couple of years ago. I personally think I’m a bit ahead in the time table than my peers and feel like I’m at a point that most people don’t reach until their 40’s, according to Kegan, in terms of dialectal thinking (Merriam, 433).