EDUC-8101-18 How Adults Learn: Theory and Research

While I believe that age is given too much weight by many people, it is, after all just number. While this number is used often used to as an explanation or portrayal of an individual; chronological age, or the number of years of life, might not be an accurate measure of the individual. Age can be established by other means, also. Cultural attitudes toward age vary as does physical capabilities and health. Frankly, I never viewed myself as “old,” until a recent job interview, where the school superintendent made a comment about my age. Now, I’m adjusting to the fact that I don’t look 30ish anymore.

The biggest challenge of being a learner at my age is the lack of time to spend studying. However, I’ve felt the same through my entire learning career. I’ve often had to abandon or sacrifice my desire for more education on the altar of taking care of family or work demands or spousal hassles. I’ve had many shattering experiences occur in my life. But, I’ve learned that a person can rise from the ashes to start over, many times during a lifetime.

I find great joy in completing assignments and making it through the immeasurable paperwork (or should I call it screen work?) of engaging in the pursuit of a higher degree.
Even though I often feel unintelligent, dim, and brainless while working on understanding the material, when I get the “ah-ha” it’s a fantastically fulfilling feeling.

My hopes for the next decade include graduating and working. I’d also like to be able to reconnect with people, make new friends, and enjoy my delightful grandchildren. (I hope I can get a least one or two of them interested in horses. Then I’d have someone to go riding with.)

Advice: You can learn from everyone, young or old when you take the time to actively listen and ask questions in a non-judgmental manner. Don’t let other people’s negative attitudes or comments keep you from your goals. Get back to your goals; tackle them, even if you have to start over again many times. The same amount of time goes by whether you are endeavoring to accomplish your dreams or not.