Discuss Why the Adult Learner Prefers to Learn through a Problem-Solving Process
One of the underlying assumptions of adult learning as explained by andragogy is that adults prefer to learn when solving a problem. Problems are identified by gaps in the individual’s current knowledge or limitations in the individual’s skill set. Gaps are identified during the process for achieving social goals and work-related goals. Solving a problem moves the individual closer to achieving personal and professional goals.
As individuals move through the developmental process from infancy to adulthood, one of the important differentiators that separates the adult from the non-adult is the individual’s pursuit of self-efficacy, and how achieving this goal of self-efficacy requires the individual to assert greater self-responsibility in pursuing this goal. The developmental focus is reinforced by the external focus of society’s expectations that adults control their lives and are responsible for both successes and failures. To achieve self-efficacy the individual identifies milestones to accomplish and organizes a process or processes to achieve these milestones. During the pursuit of these milestones (also known as social and work-related goals) to achieve self-efficacy, problems occur. The individual’s ability to solve problems enables them to move for- ward in the pursuit of greater levels of self-efficacy.
