Adult education is an instrument of independent actions that is used by the students to solve
problems and make decisions on their own, act independently, increase income level, help with
community projects, and feel personal accomplishments. Adult education is a bridge that should
be open to everyone, without any stipulations. When adult educators base their programs on the
assumption that learning is only about developing discrete skills such as reading and writing,
they are delivering a message that equates a one size fits all mentality. They are also presenting
education as having very narrow goals and purposes that are inappropriate for the needs of the
broad spectrum of current and potential adult learners.
The structure of classes and the teacher both affect the complexity of how and what is learned
by the adult students. An adult learning program should be structured around and embrace each
student’s gender, race, age, and culture. The affects in a classroom that does not implement
these stipulations are not structured around the realities of the 21st century. Many adult educators
are advocating for understanding learners both as individuals and as members of their cultural
groups or communities. The programs that attract and retain learners are sensitive to the
individual and cultural/community differences in learners' lives and address them in the
planning and implementation stages of program development. It is a complex understanding that
all educators must develop an understanding of learners' experiences and their communities. This
is essential because working with adult learners begins by respecting their culture, their
knowledge, and their experiences. The adult educator must also be clear about their philosophy
and purpose.
The one size fits all approach in simply not acceptable any more, in our society as highly
educated teachers realize. The fit is evolving slowing using different forms of...