Nursing: Adult Learning and Personal Growth, Essay Example

Self concept and readiness to learn

This discussion relates two of Malcolm Knowles’ five adult learning characteristics. Knowles’ assumption is referred to within a professional context as andragogy, which is a theory or method adapted in adult teaching. The purpose of this discussion is to facilitate an understanding of my learning characteristics.It is believed that adults have different learning needs from children and they must be addressed within that context(Cercone, 2008). With respect to this discussion the two characteristics, highlighted most are self concept and readiness to learn. The others are adult learner experience,motivation tolearnand orientation to learning.

As an adult recognizing the impact ofself concept on one’s learning patterns significantly enhances the capacity to grasp knowledge. The assumption advanced by Knowles regarding self- concept is that it grows and develops with the individual emerging into a self directionelement ratherthan one of dependency (Cercone, 2008). This is very true because in junior high school as a student I expected teachers to open pages of books and show me the assignment. As an adult learner I get the book myself and find the needed information.

The readiness to learn as an adult characteristic focused towards utilization of social roles integrating developmental tasks(McGrath, 2009). For example, as a high school student I did not have the preparation to begin learning skills to practice as a nurse even though the desire was present. At college after being equipped with enough knowledge thereadiness to learn and practice features of becoming an efficientregistered emerged.

References

Cercone, K. (2008). Characteristics of adult learners with implications foronline learning design, AACE Journal, 16(2), 137-159.

McGrath, V. (2009).Reviewing the Evidence on How Adult Students Learn: An Examination of Knowles’ Model of Andragogy.The Irish Journal of Adult and Community Education.99 -100