Selecting Methods and Adult Learners

    There are four generally accepted categories of instructional methods.  The first is the Instructor-Centered method.  In this form of teaching, the instructor is primarily responsible for conveying information to students.  This method usually involves some sort of lecture or demonstration.  The next method is Interactive.  Working under this method, learning would be facilitated by involvement, cooperation, collaboration, and the construction of knowledge through dialogue.  One way to do this is through a discussion group.  One might use a discussion group to allow small groups of students to go over, organize, and prepare information they already know, to further their understanding of the information by discussing it and obtaining different points of view. It's also a useful way to get those normally reluctant to speak out in front of the entire class to get involved.  The class of students will be divided into smaller groups, normally between three and six people, and assigned a specific question, topic, or issue to work on.  Purpose should be clear and students should be well informed.  The topic of these discussions should be meaningful and interesting to those involved.  The instructor should walk around to different groups to answer any questions.
    The third learning method is Individualized Learning.  This method works off the idea that different people learn at different speeds and that immediate feedback will allow an instructor to better facilitate the student to learn.  Instructors do this via modularized or computerized instruction, being sure to always adapt the lesson to how the student is learning.  The final method is Experiential Learning.  This method states that students learn better by actually doing.  This is particularly important in aviation, where actually learning how to fly an airplane is the final goal.  Role-playing is one way that Experiential Learning is conducted.  One situation where role-playing can come in handy is the practice of CRM.  Student and instructor can fly around in a simulator pretending to be captain and first officer and practice how to work together in different emergencies, or how to get through disagreements.
    Of course, the material you are teaching and the information level the students have greatly effects which method you choose.  For example, it's not too easy to learn how to land an airplane via the Interactive method if you have never been in an airplane before. It would also be much easier to teach a student about airspace using a Instructor-Centered method versus an Experiential Learning method.  Just like modalities, it is very important to decide the best method by which to teach your particular topic, so as to best facilitate learning to the student.
    It is important to realize that this learning is directed at adults.  Adults learn differently for a number of reasons. For one, most adults become involved in a learning situation voluntarily, and have a clear goal in mind.  They want to accomplish this goal as quickly as possible.  It is important to make sure all of your lessons are related to goal and that the student recognizes that. Adults are normally more self directed, so it is important to let the student call the shots as often as practical.  Adults are also more reluctant to change their values, opinions, or behaviors, so it becomes difficult to break a student from a bad habit or from misinformation.  Older adults also have some physical requirements that demand respect and patience from instructors.
    There are a couple of important demographics to consider when teaching adults. The first is age, which gives clues to maturity and experience.  Adults of different ages have different types of experiences that shape their beliefs.  Gender is also important, as studies suggest that women and men learn differently. It is essential to avoid gender stereotyping while teaching to avoid alienating learners.  Language and background is also important to consider, as some who speaks English as a second language may not understand many complex words, slang, or sayings.