Book Critique; the Art of Teaching Adult
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Nov 24, 2024
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Book Critique; the Art of Teaching Adult
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Book Critique; the Art of Teaching Adult
The main thesis of Renner's book, The Art of Teaching Adults, is that instructors and
facilitators can positively impact adult learners by using creative and effective teaching methods.
Renner encourages educators to be flexible and sensitive to their adult students and to draw upon
their own experiences to create dynamic and engaging learning environments. He also provides
direction for understanding adult learning styles and habits, and for formulating successful
instructional plans. In short, Renner argues that educators need to be intentional, innovative, and
dynamic in order to best serve their adult learners.
Paul Renner's The Art of Teaching Adults is an enlightening book that discusses how to
become an exceptional instructor and facilitator. Written for teachers, trainers and facilitators of
all stages and experience, the book offers advice and guidance on how to best reach adult
students in the classroom (Renner, 1993). Renner effectively outlines the importance of catering
to the unique needs of adult students within the book, recommending that teachers adjust their
courses, exercises and assessments to better reflect the diverse backgrounds of their students. The
book also examines how to be successful in a virtual classroom, suggesting careful consideration
of the use of digital technologies in the educational space.
One of the strengths of The Art of Teaching Adults is its focus on the human side of
teaching. Renner provides facilitators with practical advice on how to take a personal approach
to teaching, such as using storytelling, using humor, and giving meaningful feedback to students
(Renner, 1993). He also outlines ways to motivate and engage students, such as building trust,
having an open and supportive mindset, and focusing on the learning journey instead of the
academic results. However, The Art of Teaching Adults also has a few weaknesses. The book is
heavily focused on lecturing and teacher-student instruction and does not discuss alternative
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methods of instruction such as small-group activities or problem-based learning. Furthermore,
the book focuses solely on traditional teaching methods and does not provide any advice on
incorporating different types of technology into the learning process.
Paul Renner’s emphasizes the importance of understanding who you are teaching, their
unique experiences and needs, and tailoring instruction to the specific context. Renner’s own
experience leading adult education courses is evident throughout the book (Renner, 1993).
However, Renner’s biases may be reflected in the fact that he is writing from the perspective of
his own extensive and successful experience with adult education. This may lead to him
downplaying the challenges involved in teaching adults and somewhat oversimplifying the
process. That said, Renner’s argument that instructors should adopt a student-centric approach to
teaching adults is convincing, backed up by his practical advice for making courses relevant and
engaging: for example, center course content on participants’ expressed needs, and allow them to
apply their knowledge immediately.
I agree with Renner’s premise that adult learners should be treated differently than
younger learners, and that instructors should approach adult education with a focus on the
participants’ particular needs and goals. However, I do not completely agree with his assertion
that instructors should simply trust their intuition when teaching adults, and suggest there may be
benefit in performing further research or consulting peers and other experts in the field. Along
with adopting practical strategies such as the ones suggested by Renner, instructors should
consider supplementing those strategies with additional research and consultation (Renner,
1993). This can help ensure that the instructor is well informed and prepared to facilitate an
engaging and impactful educational experience.
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The title of the book is an apt description of the content as it accurately captures the focus
of the book. It explores topics such as understanding the adult learner, learning cycles, barriers to
learning, course design and materials, and evaluation. I would recommend this book to anyone
working in adult education as it provides detailed guidance on aspects related to effective
teaching. It is highly relevant to a scholarly study of adult learning and development, since it
comprehensively covers concepts surrounding adult education and development. This book is
definitely worth a read. It is packed with information and is highly informative. It addresses the
theory, practical guidelines and best practices for teaching adults. It is also well-written and
personable, making it a pleasure to read for scholars and practitioners alike. Therefore, the book
is an invaluable resource for those interested in teaching adult learners. It is both insightful and
engaging, addressing the core concepts of adult education, while providing useful practical
insights. Highly recommended.
Three important insights I gained from my reading of Renner’s book “The Art of
Teaching Adults: How to Become an Exceptional Instructor and Facilitator” include: (1) the
importance of tailoring the training and curriculum to the adult learners needs and prior
knowledge; (2) the need to actively involve adult learners and focus on experiential learning; and
(3) the recognition of the diversity of adult learners and their particular learning preferences.
These insights will affect my work in training and development in the sense that I will pay more
attention to the context of adult learners and their prior knowledge, actively involve learners in
the learning process, and design materials that take into account their diverse learning
preferences. Some of the potential questions I would raise to the author include:
1.
What inspired/influenced you to write The Art of Teaching Adults?
2.
How does this book assist adults in becoming exceptional instructors and facilitators?
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3.
How would you compare this book to other books on teaching adults?
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References
Renner, P. (1993). The art of teaching adults: How to become an exceptional instructor and
facilitator. Vancouver.
British Columbia: Training Associates
.
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