ADULT EDUCATION IS THE PRACTICE OF TEACHING AND EDUCATING ADULTS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult Education takes place in the work place through extension or continuing education courses at secondary schools, or at colleges or universities. Other learning places include computer training centers, institute of continuing education, pioneer education center, extra moral classes. The practices in also often referred to as “training and development” and is often associated with workplace, workforce or professional development. This adult education is also referred to as “andragogy”. This is to distinguish it from pedagogy. Adult education is different from vocational education which is mostly workplace based for skill improvement and also from non-formal education including learning skills or learning for personal development.Adult education programme provide one on one tutoring and small group sessions for adults. Non-profit organizations and school systems administer these programmes across the country.
Educating adults differs from educating children in several ways. One of the most important differences is that adults have accumulated learning and experience that can add to or hinder the learning experience.
Another difference is that most adult education programmes are voluntary. The participants are generally better motivated. Adults frequently apply their knowledge in practical fashion to learn effectively. So, adult education is defined as a process by which individuals, groups or institutions assist men and women (adult) to improve themselves or their society in general.
Furthermore, educational psychologists recognized that learning is essentially changed in behaviour as a result of experience. Therefore, the change in behaviour should be relatively permanent. One view of teaching holds true meaning for adult education in the perceptual theory of psychology. Verduin (1998). This theory suggests how an individual view people, objects and events in his environment will have much to do with how he behaves due to the significance of people’s perception for behaviour and learning. It is important to give careful consideration to things that affect human perception.
