An adult learner’s reflection on needs, characteristics, and motivations

 
It is worth noting that individual learners’ views on needs, characteristics, and motivation are more or less similar to those addressed by educational articles. For instance, a learner’ needs can be compared with any of the needs illustrated by experts on their articles on adult learning and distance learning. The learner’s characteristics and approaches to learning are comparable to the characteristics outlined in most educational articles on adult learners. For the motivation to learning, an individual learner is likely to be motivated by comparable elements that motivate other adult learners.

However, some personal needs, characteristics, and motivations cannot be or have not been illustrated by educational articles on adult learners. Educational articles are based on surveys that depend on responses from certain participants. Therefore, findings are limited to responses provided and theoretic frameworks and assumptions. As such, educational articles may or may not be as comprehensive or accurate enough. Therefore, individual learner’s reflection on needs, characteristics, and motivations may or may not be completely similar to those provided by educational articles.

For instance, many literature materials do not comprehensively discuss some extrinsic motivating factors that influence adults in reentry into learning institutions. A perfect example of the extrinsic motivation is the support that an individual is given by family members, including children and spouses. Although going back to school have negative financial implications, some family members give adult learners moral support and this is a motivation to many adult learners.

Conclusion
There is a steady increase in the number of adults seeking education. A considerable percentage of learners in learning institutions, including mainstream public colleges are above 25 years. The numbers of adults enrolling for distance education is predicted to increase.

It is evident that adult learners have distinct needs, characteristics, and motivation that distinguish them from young or traditional learners. This research paper has investigated the needs, characteristics, and motivations portrayed by adult learners as discussed in diverse educational articles. In addition, the paper has given a personal reflection on the needs, characteristics, and motivations of an adult learner. Apparently, personal reflection compares more than it contrasts the views provided by educational articles on needs, characteristics, and motives of adult learners.