www.sare.org publications sustainable-agriculture-through-sustainable-learning about-the-authors About the Authors Sandy Bell earned her doctorate in adult learning at the University of Connecticut in 1996. Since 2000, when she joined the faculty of that program, Sandy has focused her research and service on applications of adult learning theory and practice in agricultural settings. She has worked with farmers, agricultural educators and administrators, service providers, and […]
www.sare.org publications sustainable-agriculture-through-sustainable-learning adult-learning-and-you Adult Learning and You Applying the Best Practices to Your Own Professional Development You can have a positive impact on the adults with whom you work when you apply the five adult learning best practices in your teaching. You can also use these best practices as a guide for your own professional development as an educator. Two practices are […]
www.sare.org publications sustainable-agriculture-through-sustainable-learning putting-it-all-together Putting It All Together The following case example illustrates how one educator has applied all five of the adult learning best practices before, during and after a learning event. You will note that the educator applied multiple best practices in each timeframe and applied some practices more than once. The case study is on the left, and the concepts […]
www.sare.org publications sustainable-agriculture-through-sustainable-learning applying-best-practices-throughout-learning Applying Best Practices Throughout Learning This guide is intended as a resource for ongoing use. You will enhance your effectiveness as an educator when you practice applying the five adult learning best practices before, during and after the learning interactions you design and facilitate, whether they are single events, courses or one-on-one consultations with farmers. Some best practices can be […]
www.sare.org publications sustainable-agriculture-through-sustainable-learning provide-opportunities-for-practice-and-application 5. Provide Opportunities for Practice and Application Let Learners Practice and then Apply the Content to Genuine Problems Letting learners practice using new knowledge and skills helps ensure they will remember and apply them. Providing opportunities to apply what they have learned to real-world problems prepares learners to address challenges they may encounter in their work. The Science Behind the Practice This […]
www.sare.org publications sustainable-agriculture-through-sustainable-learning identify-mental-models 4. Identify Mental Models Identify Learners’ Tacit Mental Models About the Content The combination of knowledge and unconscious biases related to an aspect of an adult’s life, such as family or farming, is called a mental model. Mental models can impact how and what farmers learn. Understanding these mental models can help educators design programs that enable farmers to […]
www.sare.org publications sustainable-agriculture-through-sustainable-learning give-learners-choice 3. Give Learners Choice Give Learners Choice in Content, Process and Outcomes A learner-centered educational program gives participants choice in content, processes and outcomes, which motivates them to stay engaged. The Science Behind the Practice Choice is a powerful motivator in adult learning. Like basic emotions, perceiving and making choices are regulated by brain functions designed to help humans […]
www.sare.org publications sustainable-agriculture-through-sustainable-learning no-2-engage-positive-emotions 2. Engage Positive Emotions Focus on Activities that Engage Positive Emotions All people share the same set of core emotions. Positive emotions—joy and surprise—keep adult learners motivated and promote creative thinking, whereas negative emotions, such as fear and anger, can limit learning. The Science Behind the Practice Humans experience a range of emotions, from sympathy and embarrassment to anticipation […]
www.sare.org publications sustainable-agriculture-through-sustainable-learning make-content-relatable 1. Make Content Relatable Provide Opportunities for Learners to Link the Content to their Prior Experiences and Knowledge One of the most powerful ways to help adult learners retain new information is by making it relatable to their past experiences or existing knowledge. The Science Behind the Practice As an agricultural educator you may already be using this best […]
www.sare.org publications sustainable-agriculture-through-sustainable-learning introduction Introduction Learning empowers farmers to make sound decisions and beneficial changes to enhance the sustainability of their farms. The purpose of this guide is to help educators and farm advisors effectively facilitate learning for farmers, agricultural service providers and others working to improve agricultural sustainability. In this guide we introduce five best practices for adult learning […]