EDG 3661 - Adult Learning Theory & Curriculum Development

College of Education

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2024 (630)

Requisites

Admission to Educational Studies and Community Leadership (Bachelor of Science) (EDST-BS) or
Admission to Training and Development (Advanced Technical Certificate with Financial Aid Eligibility) (TRNDEV-ATC)

Course Description

This course examines the history of adult learning along with the distinct qualities of adult learners and their unique needs that impact the design and development of education and training programs. Students will explore adult learning theories and the role of motivation, relevance, and autonomy in adult learning.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. Students will examine the history and attitude of adult education, continuing education, and lifelong learning in the U.S. by:
    1. reviewing various types of adult education (i.e vocational, remedial, personal, etc.).
    2. identifying learning styles in adults and differentiating with adolescent learners.
    3. relating learning trends in the history of adult education (i.e., coaching, self-directed learning, single-event trainings, continuous, etc.) to their own learning experiences.
    4. discussing current technology trends in adult education (i.e., synchronous and asynchronous trainings, hybrid, etc.) to their own learning experiences.
  2. Students will analyze adult learning theory for teaching and learning by:
    1. discussing the characteristics of adult learners with a variety of experiences and backgrounds.
    2. summarizing the developmental barriers to adult learning, including work responsibilities, family, and age.
    3. examining challenges and potential barriers to adult learning (i.e., current technology, learning modalities, etc.).
    4. differentiating among various adult learning theories.
    5. reflecting ways in which adult learning theory informs their own learning.
  3. Students will apply adult learning theory to curriculum development by:
    1. researching adult learning theories relevant to their own future practice with adults.
    2. discussing the outcomes for teaching and developing curriculum based on a variety of adult learning theories.
    3. designing instruction that utilizes adult learning theory.
    4. determining how current research regarding the needs, motivations, and interests of adults as learners influence curriculum development.
    5. determining how different theories are relevant to your own position as an adult educator.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will, with a minimum of 75% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2024 (630)

Related Programs

  1. Educational Studies and Community Leadership (EDST-BS) (665) (Draft)
  2. Educational Studies and Community Leadership (EDST-BS) (660) (Active)
  3. Training and Development (TRNDEV-ATC) (630) (Active)