1. TAX-AIDE Adult Learning

2. TAX-AIDE Objective ● To review characteristics and attitudes of the Adult Learner ● To explore ways to create a Learning Environment for the Adult Learner Instructor Workshop - 2014 2

3. TAX-AIDE Environments ● Traditional Class Setting ● Distance Learning ● Self Study ● Link & Learn Instructor Workshop - 2014 3

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5. TAX-AIDE Adult versus Youth Learners 1. Adults are older They have lived longer and have a different perspective on life. They no longer see life through rose-colored glasses, but as a set of realities. Instructor Workshop - 2014 5

6. TAX-AIDE Adult versus Youth Learners 2. Adults have had more experience They have insights and see relationship not discerned by children. They have a sense of what is likely to work and what is not – sort of accumulated wisdom. Instructor Workshop - 2014 6

7. TAX-AIDE Adult versus Youth Learners 3. Adults have needs which are more concrete and immediate than those of children They are impatient with long discourses on theory and like to see theory applied to practical problem Instructor Workshop - 2014 7

8. TAX-AIDE Adult versus Youth Learners 4. Adults are used to being treated as mature persons and resent having teachers talk down to them. Instructor Workshop - 2014 8

9. TAX-AIDE Adult versus Youth Learners 5. A corollary of 4 is that adults enjoy having their talents and information made use of in a teaching situation. Instructor Workshop - 2014 9

10. TAX-AIDE Adult versus Youth Learners 6. Adult groups are likely to be more heterogeneous than youth groups. Differences increase with age and mobility. Adults come from a wider variety of backgrounds and intelligence levels than youth. Instructor Workshop - 2014 10

11. TAX-AIDE Adult versus Youth Learners 7. Adults can learn as well as youth; although they may not perform some tasks as rapidly as youth. Instructor Workshop - 2014 11

12. TAX-AIDE Adults Learn as Well as Young People ● People over the age of 40 have an advantage, when it comes to learning material which calls for good judgment or related to experience. ● Adults can do “fast memorizing” more efficiently than young children; however, youngsters retain the fact longer. Instructor Workshop - 2014 12

13. TAX-AIDE Adults Learn as Well as Young People ● The reasons adults may appear to learn not as well is based on reaction time, not intelligence. If time is not a factor, there is no difference in ability to learn. Instructor Workshop - 2014 13

14. TAX-AIDE IQ Doesn’t Materially Change During Adulthood ● A group of 50 year olds were given IQ tests that they had taken 31 years earlier. They made higher scores on every part except math reasoning. (Wechsler found test scores increased until 35 then declined very slowly after that.) Instructor Workshop - 2014 14

15. TAX-AIDE Physical Strength in Adults ● In England, Galton set up a booth at a National Fair and tested over 7,000 people for physical strength, his research reveals 30 is the peak. ● However, physical strength declines slowly. ● Research at Harvard found physical strength dropped dramatically between 70 and 75. Instructor Workshop - 2014 15

16. TAX-AIDE Intelligence and Speed of Learning ● In youth there is a correlation between intelligence and speed in learning. In adulthood, this is not true. Instructor Workshop - 2014 16

17. TAX-AIDE The Ability to Hear ● Peak Performance in hearing occurs before Age 15 ● Gradual decline until 65, then more rapid. ● Older people Hear less and Hear slower Instructor Workshop - 2014 17

18. TAX-AIDE Hearing ● As people age: Men lose ability to hear high sounds. Women lose ability to hear low sounds.  This is one of the reasons why women talk more with women and men talk more with men in the older years Instructor Workshop - 2014 18

19. TAX-AIDE Common Sense Practices in the Classroom ● Place seating where people can see everyone’s face ● Make use of small groups ● Teacher should stand still ● Teacher should speak, clearly, distinctly, and loudly Instructor Workshop - 2014 19

20. TAX-AIDE Common Sense Practices in the Classroom ● Use more than one sense while teaching ● Observe faces of students ● Eliminate outside noises ● Ask people to speak out if they can’t hear ● Repeat questions and answers Instructor Workshop - 2014 20

21. TAX-AIDE Decline in Vision by Age Vision 13-18 Continuous gain 18-40 Gradual decline 40-55 Sharp decline 55-on Gradual decline Instructor Workshop - 2014 21

22. TAX-AIDE Vision ● Older Eyes Suffer Vision loss in dim light Narrowing field of vision Slow adaptation to dark Cataracts Defective color vision SO…………….. Instructor Workshop - 2014 22

23. TAX-AIDE Common Sense Practices for the Classroom ● Illumination There should be good lighting Participants should not face direct light ● Eliminate glare ● Use large writing Instructor Workshop - 2014 23

24. TAX-AIDE Media ● Use sharp color contrast ● Enlarged type or print ● Avoid abbreviations But be certain major Tax-Aide acronyms are understood Instructor Workshop - 2014 24

25. TAX-AIDE Adult Learner Characteristics ● Adults do not want to spend time going over what they already know. ● Adults must be able to relate new information to what they already know. Instructor Workshop - 2014 25

26. TAX-AIDE Adult Learner Characteristics ● Adults will remember something if it Is important to them Is presented in a memorable way and Is repeated, repeated, repeated. Instructor Workshop - 2014 26

27. TAX-AIDE Adult Learner Characteristics ● Adults will maintain interest if tasks are challenging but not overwhelming. ● Adults learn best when they have immediate feedback on the task Instructor Workshop - 2014 27

28. TAX-AIDE They need to know: ● Why am I here? ● Will I just be listening? ● Will the speaker be organized? ● Where is the agenda? ● Will this time of value to me? ● Where are the restrooms? Instructor Workshop - 2014 28

29. TAX-AIDE Tips For the Presenter ● Know your audience ● Value your audience ● Engage your audience ● Anticipate the needs of your audience ● Respect your audience ● Listen to your audience ● Engage your audience Instructor Workshop - 2014 29

30. TAX-AIDE Before Class: ● Have class roster and know who is in the room ● Check lighting and room temperature ● Smile and greet participants as they arrive ● Check to see if everyone has necessary tools – text, paper, writing instrument Computer? Instructor Workshop - 2014 30

31. TAX-AIDE Before Class: ● Be sure you have telephone numbers for everyone in case class time needs to be changed ● Be sure everyone can see – be it speaker, screen, whatever ● Seat those who appear to have hearing or vision problems where they are comfortable Instructor Workshop - 2014 31

32. TAX-AIDE Leading ● Give the appearance of being organized ● Be enthusiastic about sharing tax information, computer usage and e-filing ● Speak clearly and loudly enough, while making eye contact with the audience Instructor Workshop - 2014 32

33. TAX-AIDE Leading: ● Vary approach – e.g., multimedia screen, computer practice, small groups ● Know your sources of information – bibliographies are helpful ● Start and end on time Instructor Workshop - 2014 33

34. TAX-AIDE While Presenting: ● Share agenda, lunch time and breaks ● Have clearly written handouts ● Provide practical applications and real- life examples ● Relate what you say to the audience's experience Instructor Workshop - 2014 34

35. TAX-AIDE While Presenting: ● Guide audience members to other sources of information ● Repeat audience questions – then address answers to the whole audience ● Be prepared with an ending – one that can be used before you are at the end of your presentation! Instructor Workshop - 2014 35

36. TAX-AIDE Adult Learning Instructor Workshop - 2014 36 I am at the end of my presentation.

37. TAX-AIDE Adult Learning Instructor Workshop - 2014 37 Questions ???