Teaching Adult Learners by Drawing on Heightened Instructor Awareness and Collaborative Autoethnography

Abstract

There are well established studies on how adult learners need to be treated differently by instructors. In this chapter, the authors add to the literature by suggesting that instructor competency needs to include a high emotional quotient. In other words, teachers would need to demonstrate caring and helpfulness to adult learners who come to the class with multiple (often rich) experiences. The skilful instructor is expected to make an open display of emotions to establish rapport, while raising the group emotional intelligence of themselves and the class. Furthermore, managing emotional experiences in the classroom can be aided by qualitative research methods such as collaborative autoethnography (CAE). Overall, this chapter provides guidelines for instructors to get a good sense of how to work effectively with adult learners.

Citation

Peregoy, R., Kumar, P., Major, R.J. and Culham, T.E. (2023), "Teaching Adult Learners by Drawing on Heightened Instructor Awareness and Collaborative Autoethnography", Kumar, P., Culham, T.E., Major, R.J. and Peregoy, R. (Ed.) Honing Self-Awareness of Faculty and Future Business Leaders: Emotions Connected with Teaching and Learning, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 197-210. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-349-920231012