Rating of Understanding:
I have learned a lot over the time spent in this course. This course has made me think about and realize things that I never would have contemplated on my own. I realized that adult learners bring a lot to a classroom and although they are still learners, they are different in their motivation, thinking, the way they learn, and what they have to offer.

I never would have thought about the motivation behind an adult learner being so different than a traditional learner had it not been for our first discussion post. Our first discussion post made me realize that adult learners are learning because they want to, or perhaps to better their already established skill set. Whereas, traditional learners tend to learn because they are just starting to establish their learning path and figuring out what they want to do with their education.

From week 1, I began thinking and viewing adult learners differently. Week 1 was also when I realized that the path of adult education is the right path I want to head down.

The Key Concepts:
The first concept that made the greatest impact on me was the fact that an adult learner is different in many ways to a traditional learner. They are motivated differently, they learn differently, and they have a lot to add to a classroom setting.

Another concepts is that lessons designed for the adult learner needs to be planned with the set audience in mind. Adult learners don't learn the same as the traditional learner and therefore the adult learner will need different plan of action set in place to assist them with their learning needs.

This leads to the concept of technology. Many adult learners may not be as technologically savvy as traditional learners and that may put a wrench in the plans if it is not taken into account prior to any lessons presented.

A final key concept that resonates with me is the concept of diversity. Just as with traditional learners, you have a diverse group of adult learners. They make up a group that contains many different cultures, religions, professions, and skill sets. Before teaching a group of

Some strategies that would assist with diversity as it applies to adult learners is to have future students share something special from their culture. Students shouldn't be afraid to speak up and share what makes them them, especially in today's times where there are many instances of fear against certain cultures.

A great way to get people to understand and appreciate differences is to have a cultural potluck, where everyone brings a traditional dish that is part of their culture and share it with the group during a potluck meal. This will get people to appreciate differences and perhaps learn about another culture that they perhaps wouldn't otherwise. It also brings people closer together by having a commonality-FOOD!

You want to bring strategies to the classroom that will demonstrate compassion and acceptance of all people. Allowing students to ask questions of perhaps things that might seem "taboo" or insensitive will also allow the lines of communication to be open. Perhaps having a question box for students to put in any question about another culture, religion or lifestyle that could be answered by another student in class would be a good way to open up communication within the classroom. The teacher could read the question out loud and anyone that feels like they could add to the understanding of the question with a response can begin a discussion.

The first way to apply the concept of technology within the adult learning community is to have an understanding that there may be some learners that have a good understanding and some that know slim to nothing when it comes to technology.

You must understand your students and their working knowledge of what technology they are comfortable with and what is out of their comfort zone.

You could create a partnership with the adult learners and traditional learners or reach out to high school students that need volunteer hours to volunteer their time to provide workshops or tutoring to adult learners on topics that might be needed. High schoolers could partner up with an adult learner and go over the basics of how to send an email, how to view a video on the web, or create a web page.

A key strategy to implement this concept is to be available to your learners. They might need more assistance with technology and have more questions than a traditional student since they did not grow up in the digital age. Therefore, letting your students know that you are available for any questions or concerns they might have will ease their mind a bit and make them more willing to learn.