Adult Learning Principles

The following is a list of core adult learning principles that should be kept in mind by the community kitchen coordinator.

Draw upon learners’ experiences as a resource.

Adults have a wide experience base and have learned much from life. They learn most from their peers. The Coordinator can help them share their own experiences and create a situation where they are encouraged to talk to each other. By focusing on the strengths learners bring to the classroom, rather than their gaps in knowledge, learners are able to connect new learning with prior knowledge.

Foster a spirit of collaboration.

Collaborative learning focuses on the interdependence of each member. Learners collaborate with instructors and with each other.

Involve learners in the planning and implementation of learning activities.

Adults are interested and learn quickly about those things that are relevant to their lives. Adults‘ past experiences, their current learning goals and their sense of self will influence what they want to learn and how they learn it. The Coordinator can create a situation in which they can share in the planning, choose the topics and participate in regular evaluation of what they are doing.

Create a climate that encourages and supports learning.

Adults have a sense of personal dignity. They must be treated with respect at all times and never feel humiliated or laughed at before others. A safe atmosphere where learners can admit confusion and express different opinions is one that enhances learner self-esteem and reduces fear.

Cultivate self-direction in learners.

In a supportive and safe learning environment, the Coordinator can become a mentor to adult learners. They can help learners to develop skills that lead to self-direction, independent learning, and empowerment.

Adapted from the Basic Adult Education Program, Advanced Education, Employment, and Labour Ministry, Government of Saskatchewan (2007) and Alberta Health Services (2009) Collective Kitchen Coordinator’s Manual.