What’s So Special About Adult Learning And Why We Don’t Talk About It?

Adult learning is a fascinating area of study that has been gaining more attention in recent years. While we often focus on the education and development of children and teenagers, it’s important to recognize that learning continues throughout our lives.

In this article, we’ll explore the history of adult learning, the particularities of learning in adulthood, and why it’s important to pay attention to our learning needs and styles.

A Brief History of Adult Learning

The concept of lifelong learning has been around for centuries. In ancient Greece, the philosopher Socrates believed that learning was essential for personal growth and development. During the Middle Ages, guilds provided apprenticeships for young people to learn a trade, and adults could continue their education through the church.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, adult education became more formalized, with the establishment of universities, community colleges, and vocational schools.

Over the past few decades, researchers have focused more on the particularities of adult learning. They have found that adults have different motivations, goals, and challenges when it comes to learning.