Facilitating Learning With The Adult Brain In Mind

Practical "brain-aware" facilitation tailored to the adult brain Facilitating Learning with the Adult Brain in Mind explains how the brain works, and how to help adults learn, develop, and perform more effectively in various settings. Recent neurobiological discoveries have challenged long-held assumptions that logical, rational thought is the preeminent approach to knowing. Rather, feelings and emotions are essential for meaningful learning to occur in the embodied brain. Using stories, metaphors, and engaging illustrations to illuminate technical ideas, Taylor and Marienau synthesize relevant trends in neuroscience, cognitive science, and philosophy of mind. Readers unfamiliar with current brain discoveries will enjoy an informative, easy-to-read book. Neuroscience fans will find additional material designed to supplement their knowledge. Many popular publications on brain and learning focus on school-aged learners or tend more toward anatomical description than practical application. This book provides facilitators of adult learning and development a much-needed resource of tested approaches plus the science behind their effectiveness. Appreciate the fundamental role of experience in adult learning Understand how metaphor and analogy spark curiosity and creativity Alleviate adult anxieties that impede learning Acquire tools and approaches that foster adult learning and development Compared with other books on brain and learning, this volume includes dozens of specific examples of how experienced practitioners facilitate meaningful learning. These "brain-aware" approaches can be adopted and adapted for use in diverse settings. Facilitating Learning with the Adult Brain in Mind should be read by advisors/counselors, instructors, curriculum and instructional developers, professional development designers, corporate trainers and coaches, faculty mentors, and graduate students—in fact, anyone interested in how adult brains learn.

Learning is an inseparable part of human experience. Understanding how adults learn and applying that expertise to practical everyday situations and relationships opens the window on a broader understanding of the capacity of the human mind. Dorothy MacKeracher's Making Sense of Adult Learning was first published in 1996, and was acclaimed for its readability and value as a reference tool. For the second edition of this essential work, MacKeracher has reorganized and revised many of the chapters to bring the text up-to-date for contemporary use. Concepts are presented from learning-centred and learner-centred perspectives, while related learning and teaching principles provide ideas about how one may enable others to learn more effectively. Written for people preparing to become adult educators, Making Sense of Adult Learning provides background information about the nature of adult learning and the characteristics that typify adult learners. This new edition will be quick to assert its place as the premier guide in the field.

This book provides a critical examination of the myths surrounding adult education and its practice.

NEUROANDRAGOGY, tells of new advances in brain research. Much of this new research confirms what teachers of adults have been saying for years. A very good example of this is that children and adults do not learn in the same way. The brain of the child does not reach new brain function and true maturity until age 21 and older. This is clearly seen when youth use their emotions to decide and not their executive brain as adults do. NEUROANDRAGOGY includes research that confirms ways adults can improve their IQ and sharpen their mind even into old age. This is possible because "brain plasticity" still occurs late in life. Even more interesting is the fact that we may even be able to experience neurogenesis (new brain cellgrowth) through life if we continue to learn new things and live within a brain stimulating environment. NEUROANDRAGOGY also makes the case for a possible delay of Alzheimer's disease by the activity of new learning (music, a new language, a new town etc.) All this contributes to good brain health which improves on life itself.

As the paradigm of education in academia continues to shift towards more diversity and inclusion, educators need to consider incorporating a “both-and” mindset when designing relevant education models in adult education. In order to attain a cross-sector collaboration among diverse stakeholders, innovative education practice settings with instructional strategies that meet the learning needs of every student need to be evaluated and implemented. Competency-Based and Social-Situational Approaches for Facilitating Learning in Higher Education is a critical research resource that discusses project-based and social-situational instructional practices within community engagement as a method for educating adults. The approaches to designing and implementing learning activities show how to optimize community and business knowledge assets to collaboratively design and implement curricula in order to work toward social justice and community development. Divided into three sections, this publication provides extensive coverage on the design and delivery of academic programs, instructional approaches, and more, making it an ideal resource for professionals, adult education practitioners, faculty, administrators, community activists, researchers, and academicians.

Adults seek out learning for very different reasons in different contexts, and this book is intended to support adult educators’ development in responding to this rich array. There is no single way to be an adult learner, and so it should not be surprising that there is no single way to be an adult educator. However, the authors believe that all educators must demonstrate a commitment to meeting adult learners where they are. Adult educators should help learners move forward not only with new content knowledge, information, and skills, but also with new ways of making meaning and seeing themselves, their role, and the world. This volume introduces many theories and concepts that can help adult educators do this effectively.

Solidly grounded in theory and research, but concise and practice-oriented, Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice is perfect for master’s-level students and practitioners alike. Sharan Merriam and Laura Bierema have infused each chapter with practical applications for instruction which will help readers personally relate to the material. The contents covers: Adult Learning in Today’s World Traditional Learning Theories Andragogy Self-Directed Learning Transformative Learning Experience and Learning Body and Spirit in Learning Motivation and Learning The Brain and Cognitive Functioning Adult Learning in the Digital Age Critical Thinking and Critical Perspectives Culture and Context Discussion questions and activities for reflection are included at the end of each chapter.

This timely volume examines links between the emerging neurobiological research on adult learning and the adult educators' practice. Now that it is possible to trace the pathways of the brain involved in various learning tasks, we can also explore which learning environments are likely to be most effective. Topics explored in The Neuroscience of Adult Learning include: basic brain architecture and "executive" functions of the brain how learning can "repair" the effects of psychological trauma on the brain effects of stress and emotions on learning the centrality of experience to learning and construction of knowledge the mentor-learner relationship intersections between best practices in adult learning and current neurobiological discoveries Volume contributors include neurobiologists, educators, and clinical psychologists who have illuminated connections between how the brain functions and how to enhance learning. Although the immediate goal of this volume is to expand the discourse on adult teaching and learning practices, the overarching goal is to encourage adult learners toward more complex ways of knowing. This is the 110th volume of New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, a quarterly publication published by Jossey-Bass.