Every student brings unique learning needs and styles to our classrooms. It’s our responsibility to create inclusive and effective learning environments for all. If you want to improve your teaching and help learners succeed, two frameworks that can help us achieve these goals are andragogy and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This article overviews these frameworks and best practices for online and face-to-face classrooms.
Andragogy: Adult Learning Theory
Andragogy refers to the process of teaching adult learners. This concept is essential as adult learners have different needs and motivations than younger students. For instance, adult learners often have greater autonomy and prefer to take an active role in their learning. They also come to the classroom with life experiences to share with classmates and enrich the learning experience. By creating opportunities for self-directed learning, connecting learning to real-life experiences, and using problem-based learning, you can create an engaging learning experience that meets the needs of adult learners.
Here are some tips for incorporating andragogy into your teaching practice:
Peer to Peer learing: Adult learners share professional and personal learning experiences with peers. Everyone can learn from one another’s experiences.
Self-directed learning: Adults are more motivated to learn when they have flexibility and can direct the learning process, including setting goals and deciding on learning strategies.
Relevance: Adult learners need to understand the relevance of theories and how to apply them to real-world situations.
Problem-centered approach: Adults prefer to learn by solving real-world problems rather than memorizing facts and theories.
To apply these principles in our teaching practices, we can:
- Use real-world examples and case studies to make learning more relevant and engaging.
- Provide opportunities for self-directed learning, such as allowing students to choose topics for research papers or giving them options for assignments.
- Encourage peer-to-peer learning, as adults can learn from each other’s experiences.
- Use a problem-centered approach, such as case studies or simulations, to allow students to apply their learning in real-world scenarios.
Universal Design for Learning and Diversity
Universal Design for Learning considers the diversity of learners in the classroom. It aims to create a flexible learning environment that meets the needs of all learners. You can create a course that accommodates different learning styles and preferences by providing multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement and using assistive technology where needed.
UDL includes three main concepts:
Multiple means of representation: Providing information in various formats, such as visual, auditory, and tactile, to support diverse learning styles.
Multiple means of expression: Offering students different ways to demonstrate their understanding, such as written, oral, or artistic expressions.
Multiple means of engagement: Providing a variety of ways to motivate and engage students, such as using real-world examples, peer collaboration, and games.
To apply UDL principles in our teaching practices, we can:
- Offer information in multiple formats, such as using visual aids, providing written and spoken instructions, and incorporating videos and podcasts.
- Provide multiple options for demonstrating understanding, such as giving students a choice between a written essay or an oral presentation.
- Incorporate diverse learning activities like group projects, independent research, and hands-on experiments.
- Encourage collaboration and peer-to-peer learning to help students feel more engaged, connected, and motivated.
By applying the principles of andragogy and UDL in our teaching practices, we can create inclusive and effective learning environments that meet the diverse needs of all learners. Create opportunities for self-directed learning, connect learning to real-life experiences, and use problem-based learning to engage your students. And don’t forget to provide multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement to accommodate different learning styles and preferences. Remember, every student is unique, and our educators’ job is to ensure they all have access to the best possible learning experience.
Need help with incorporating these principles into your instructional design, online, and hybrid courses? The Babb Group collaborates with your team to set students up for success.
Sources:
https://www.learningdesigned.org/sites/default/files/Done_BERQUIST.PDF
https://lincs.ed.gov/state-resources/federal-initiatives/teal/guide/applyudl
Angela Britcher