References

Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT).  For more information, contact:

Consulting Psychologists Press Inc
3803 E Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
http://www.cpp.com/

What is Learning?

• Birkenholz, Robert J.  (1999). Effective adult learning.  Danville, IL. Interstate Publishers, Inc. 
• Chapter 1: Historical Development
• Chapter 2: Need for adult education.
• Merriam, Sharan B., & Caffarella, Rosemary S.  (1999).  Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide.  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Inc.  
• Chapter 1: Adult learning and contemporary society – pages 5-23
• Chapter 2: Learning opportunities in adulthood – pages 24-44.

Learning Theories, Learning Styles and Gender and Culture

• Birkenholz, Robert J. (1999). Effective adult learning.  Danville, IL. Interstate Publishers, Inc. Chapter 4: Adult learning principles.
• Deshler, J. David and E. Kiely. (1995).  Facilitating Adult Learning Sourcebook.  Department of Education, Cornell University. Cornell Instructional Media Service, pub. 420 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
• Guy, Talmadge.  (1999). Providing culturally relevant adult education: A challenge for the twenty-first century. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Inc. 
• Chapter 1: Culture as context for adult education: the need for culturally relevant adult education – pages 5-18 (G. Talmadge)
• Chapter 2: Adult learning: moving toward more inclusive theories and practices – pages 19-32 (D. Amstutz).
• Merriam, S. B.  (2001). The new update on adult learning theory.  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Inc.  
• Chapter 2: An update on transformational learning – pages 15-24 (Lisa Baumgartner).
• Taylor, K., C. Marienau, M. Fiddler.  (2000).  Developing adult learners: Strategies for teachers and trainers.  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Inc.  
• Chapter 12: Observing our practices – pages 317-325.
• Zemke, R.  (2002).  Who needs learning theory anyway?  Training.  September, pp. 87-91.

Adult and Youth Learning

• Birkenholz, Robert J.  (1999). Effective adult learning. Danville, IL. Interstate Publishers, Inc. 
• Chapter 3: Characteristics of adult learners.

Motivating Adults to Learn

• Wlodkowski, R. J.  (1999). Enhancing adult motivation to learn: A comprehensive guide for teaching all adults – 2nd edition. San Francisco, CA.  Jossey-Bass Inc. 
• Chapter 1: How motivation affects instruction
• Chapter 2: Characteristics and skills of a motivating instructor
• Chapter 3: What motivates adults to learn?

Glossary

Adult Education: The organization of groups for the betterment of individuals with similar interests.

Andragogy: The art and science of helping adults learn.

Behaviorist Theory: Learning results from stimulus and response; such as the environment and things going on around us.

Cognitive Theory: Learning results from individual mental functions.

Critical Reflection Theory: Transforming underlying assumptions of how the world works.

Culture: Shared values, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and language within a social group.

Ethnocentrism occurs when a person considers his/her own culture or nationality superior to others.

Extrinsic motivation: Motivation based on receiving external rewards.

Formal Education: Structured and graded educational system, i.e. formal school system - high school, college; learning objectives and means (how) are controlled by the educational system (no learner involvement).

Gender: Socially defined roles attributed to certain sex.

Humanist Theory: Learning directed by an intrinsic desire/motivation.

Informal Education: Learning from everyday experiences, i.e. mass media, educational nature trail or informal conversation; learner controls means (how) to education, but not objectives of the intended learning.

Intrinsic motivation: An internal energy called forth by circumstances that connect with what is culturally significant to the person.

Maslow’s Hierarchy: People are motivated to satisfy specific physiological needs from very basic to very complex.

Nonformal Education: Systematic and planned education, i.e. Extension or Continuing Education; content is adapted to learners; learner controls objectives of the learning, but not the means (how).

Pedagogy: The art and science of helping youth learn.

Racism is conscious or unconscious actions and attitudes that discriminate among people based on skin color.

Sexism refers to behavior, policy, language, or action that expresses the view that women are inferior

Social Learning Theory: Observation, reflection, then imitation/modification; learning from one another.

Support Materials

Issues About Learning

Learning Theories

Learning Differences in Gender and Culture

Motivating Adults to Learn

Frequently Asked Questions About Adult Education