Best Practices in Adult Learning

Serving Adult Learners in the 21st CenturyThe National Institute on the Assessment of Adult Learning 2012

Judy WertheimVice President, Higher Education Services

1Review the document Focusing on Adult Learners in Postsecondary Education: Responding to the Challenge of a New AgeSuggest additional recommendations, with a particular focus on PLABrainstorm about how to influence policy and practice at all levels to integrate PLA in postsecondary education and help ensure success for adults.Todays Session will:ALFI = Adult Learning-Focused Institution

Identifies 9 principles that are essential for effectively serving adult learnersRelation of Todays Session to Some of the ALFI Principles4ALFI Principle #2ALFI Principle #2

Life and Career PlanningThe institution addresses adult learners life and career goals before or at the onset of enrollment in order to assess and align its capacities to help learners reach their goals.

Opportunity for credit for work-related credentials5One Best Practice: Life/Career Planning6ALFI Principle #4ALFI Principle #4

Assessment of Learning OutcomesThe institution defines and assesses the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired by adult learners both from the curriculum and from life/work experience in order to assign credit and confer degrees with rigor.7ALFI Principle #5ALFI Principle #5

Teaching/Learning ProcessThe institutions faculty use multiple methods of instruction (including experiential and problem-based methods) for adult learners in order to connect curricular concepts to useful knowledge and skills.

Collaboration and group work

8 One Best Practice: The Teaching/Learning Process8Priorities for Transforming Institutions to Serve Adult Learners*

1.Provide help for adults in navigating education and career information2.Launch a national marketing and communications campaign

*From Lumina/CAEL convening and CAEL conference, 2011To Serve Adult Learners in the 21st Century3. Recognize learning outcomes (vs. seat time), as well as the assessment and validation of all types of learning

4. Conduct more research and establish a better understanding of what we know already

5. Focus on financial aid and institutional financing

Priorities (contd.)6.Integrate learning and work

7.Recognize the importance of local and regional drivers

8. Develop a credit bank for students

9. Focus on technology as an integral part of adult learningPriorities (contd.)A National Learning Recognition Agenda for Adults

Establish a National Education and Career Navigation Service

Launch a campaign to educate students and faculty about PLA Action PlanAdvocate for institutional, government, and accrediting policies focused on learning outcomes and recognition of prior learning

Carry out research to support adult learner success and institutional transformation

Action Plan (contd.)Link with metro and urban strategies focused on Talent Dividend and postsecondary education attainment

Develop new strategies to reach rural adultsAction Plan (contd.)Explore the creation of a National Leadership Commission on the Adult Learning Recognition Agenda to oversee and publicize the workNext StepsAdditional RecommendationsReactions to the RecommendationsReaction to Action PlanHow to Implement Next Step(s)National Institute on the Assessment of Adult Learning 2012Session Participants Suggest: