A Journey from Cave Drawings to Cat Videos

Sometimes we need to look backwards so that we can move forward. Having spent the last three years innovating to create a new digital infrastructure for our business that was wholly focused on face-to-face teaching; I finally get to take a breath and reflect on the changing nature of adult education over time. ?Adult learning has been around for as long as humans have been able to communicate with each other. In fact, the first adult education programs were probably cave paintings, where experienced hunters and gatherers would pass their knowledge on to younger generations. Adult learning has changed a lot since then; we've gone from drawing on cave walls to watching cat videos on YouTube. But the basic principles of adult learning remain the same: we learn best when we're interested in the material when we're able to learn at our own pace, and when we're able to apply what we've learned to our work or personal lives.

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The Rise of Formal Adult Education

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the First Industrial Revolution led to a growing demand for skilled workers. This demand gave rise to the first formal adult education programs, which were designed to teach adults the skills they needed to get and keep jobs. These early adult educators were often very strict and regimented. Students were expected to sit quietly and listen to lectures, and they were not allowed to ask questions. This approach to adult learning was based on the belief that adults were not capable of self-directed learning.

The Andragogical Revolution

In the 1960s, American educator Malcolm Knowles challenged the traditional view of adult learning. He argued that adults are self-directed learners who learn best when they are involved in the learning process. This theory of adult learning, which Knowles called andragogy, had a profound impact on the field of adult education.

?Andragogy is based on the following assumptions:

• Adults are self-directed learners.
• Adults have a rich reservoir of experience.
• Adults are motivated to learn when the learning is relevant to their lives.
• Adults learn best when they are involved in the learning process.

?The Future of Adult Learning

The field of adult education is constantly evolving as we learn more about how adults learn. In the 21st century, adult learning is becoming more and more personalised, and learner-centred. As we navigate the fourth industrial revolution, we are using new and emerging technologies, such as online/virtual learning and mobile learning, to make it easier for adults to learn at their own pace and on their own terms.

?As the world continues to change, adult learning will become even more important. In order to succeed in the 21st-century economy, adults will need to be able to continuously learn new skills and adapt to new challenges. Adult education will play a vital role in helping adults to develop the skills they need to thrive in the ever-changing world.

I am excited about our role in developing the workforce through our varied communications, leadership and professional development programmes.? Adult learning is a lifelong journey; therefore, we never stop learning, and we should never stop trying to educate each other.

If you would like to learn more about the training we offer feel free to reach out to me on 086 3897409

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