Useful But a Tough Read | The Adult Learner, Sixth Edition: The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and...

THE ADULT LEARNER, SIXTH EDITION | The Adult Learner, Sixth Edition: The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and Human Resource Development | Ph.D., Malcolm S. Knowles, III, Ed.D., Elwood F. Holton, ...

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	• The Adult Learner, Sixth Edition: The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and Human Resource Development Ph.D., Malcolm S. Knowles, III, Ed.D., Elwood F. Holton, ... Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005 - 390 pages average customer review:based on 9 reviews view larger image
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Andragogy for the 21st century

Since the term "andragogy" was first coined, several theoretical schools have developed around the topic of adult learning. This book provides a context for Knowles' ideas about andragogy and demonstrates the relevance of his ideas in the 21st century.

Useful But a Tough Read

A little background: I am not a college professor or corporate HR director, so to some degree there are things in this book that were lost on me for that reason, HOWEVER...

...I am an author, an independent instructor for adult learners, and a college graduate with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, so I do know something about good writing hopefully. I purchased this book to gain insight into the motivations behind adult learners. Why do some go back to college even when their job does not require it? What motivates them? How do they learn compared to teenagers, etc? What techniques are best in a classroom full of adults? And FWIW I have been able to glean some useful bits of information in these respects. But this book could be so much more, if the authors would simplify the writing style. Get out of your own way and tell the story! Let me explain further...

My biggest problem with this book is that it reads like a college thesis. I always value and appreciate a well annotated work that references other respected works, however this book goes completely overboard. In some chapters, almost every page is a pulled quotation from another work or book. There are so many references as to be distracting to the reader IMO. The original point being discussed (and its relevance to the person teaching adults), is often lost and you have to go back and read again so you haven't wasted your time.

The information itself is sometimes helpful and enlightening, but buried among wordy descriptions, run-on sentences and frankly, verbal pomp. And though I recognize this book is geared towards those in HR development (companies that teach their employees IOW), there are clearly parallel lessons to be learned for anyone teaching adults, regardless of the environment (work, leisure or vocational). I think for instructors like myself this book is simply not approachable enough, though there are some very good nuggets of info to be found and applied to our work. You just have to dig and re-read more than anyone should have to, in order to process that information.

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THE ADULT LEARNER, SIXTH EDITION

This book was in excellent shape. I received it sooner than I expected.

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Challenging, Insightful, Practical

If you're looking for a book which will enable you to grasp the concepts of adult learning in the 21 century then The Adult Learner is a must read. Covering the latest perspectives on adult learning this book contains practical information relevant to any field of education. The Adult Learner addresses more than just the theories of adult learning, it provides timely solutions to empower those who desire to transform the learning experience.

This much acclaimed text has been fully updated to incorporate the latest advances in the field. As leading authorities on adult education and training, Elwood Holton and Dick Swanson have revised this edition building on the work of the late Malcolm Knolwes.

Keeping to the practical format of the last edition, this book is divided into three parts. The first part contains the classic chapters that describe the roots and principles of andragogy, including a new chapter, which presents Knowles program planning model. The second part focuses on the advancements in adult learning with each chapter fully revised updated, incorporating a major expansion of Androgogy in Practice. The last part of the book will contain an updated selection of topical readings that advance the theory and will include the HRD style inventory developed by Dr. Knowles.

This new edition is essential reading for adult learning practitioners and students and HRD professionals. It provides a theoretical framework for understanding the adult learning issues both in the teaching and workplace environments.

* Provides a theoretical framework for understanding adult learning issues both in teaching and workplace environments
* Essential reading for a wide audience of practitioners and students in the field of adult learning and human resource development
* Incorporates Knowles'classic theories on adult learning alongside the latest advances in the field

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