Application of Learning Theories in Adult Education

Pre-requisites: General Adult Education

Course objectives: Introducing students into relevant learning theories and training for critical reflection and application of these theories in adult education.

Course description: Theoretical course: Cognitivist paradigm: Philosophy of cognitivism, Epistemology of cognitivism, Cognitivist theories of learning: Anderson’s theory of cognition, Ausubel’s theory of subsumption, Gardner’s theory of intelligence. Constructivist paradigm: Philosophy of constructivism, Epistemology of constructivism, Constructivist theories of learning: Learning theory of Vygotsky, Bruner’s learning theory. Knowle’s learning theory. Practical course: Cognitivist perspective in teaching and learning of adults – identifying: needs, goals, results, process, strategies, contents and methods of learning, evaluative methods and techniques and function and the role of teacher in learning. Constructivist perspective in adult teaching and learning – identification of: goals, social context and contents of learning, evaluative models, learning control mechanisms, learning processes and products, mistakes in learning, models of feedback and function and the role of teacher.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the programme student: - is familiar with the cognitive and constructivist learning theories; - evaluates cognitivist and constructivist approach to learning of adults; - shapes the learning of adults based on cognitivist-constructivist theories.

Literature/Reading:

• Despotović, M., (1997) kritičko mišljenje kod odraslih, Institut za pedagogiju i andragogiju, Filozofski fakultet, Beograd.
• Jarvis, P., (ur) (2003) Poučavanje – teorija i praksa, AC, Zagreb.
• Rogers, A., (2002) Teaching Adults, Open Univversity Press, Maidenhead, Philadelphia.
• Bedli, A, Ljudsko pamćenje, Zavod za udžbenike nastavna sredstva, Beograd.
• Djui, Dž., (1970) Vaspitanjer i demokratija, Cetinje.
• Vigotski, L., (1983) Mišljenje i govor, Nolit, Beograd.
• Knowles, M., (1990) The Adult Lerner, Neglected Species, Houston, Gulf Publishing, Company.