CHE CHE Adult Learning Theory & Andragogy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which concept best describes an adult learner's internal readiness to learn something because it is needed in a specific life or work situation?
- Cognitive readiness
- Readiness to learn (Correct answer)
- Intrinsic scaffolding
- Affective filter
Correct answer: Readiness to learn
Knowles's principle of 'readiness to learn' holds that adults become ready to learn when they need the knowledge to cope with real-life tasks.
Question 2: A CHE educator notices that adult students in a food-safety course resist new handwashing protocols because they conflict with years of kitchen experience. Which adult learning challenge does this illustrate?
- Cognitive overload
- Confirmation bias from prior experience (Correct answer)
- Low self-efficacy
- Lack of readiness
Correct answer: Confirmation bias from prior experience
Adults' deep reservoirs of experience can sometimes create confirmation bias, making them resistant to practices that contradict ingrained habits.
Question 3: Experiential learning theory by David Kolb proposes a four-stage cycle. What is the FIRST stage?
- Abstract conceptualization
- Reflective observation
- Concrete experience (Correct answer)
- Active experimentation
Correct answer: Concrete experience
Kolb's cycle begins with a concrete experience—a tangible event or activity—that the learner then reflects on and conceptualizes.
Question 4: In Kolb's learning cycle, which stage involves drawing generalizations and forming theories from observations?
- Concrete experience
- Reflective observation
- Abstract conceptualization (Correct answer)
- Active experimentation
Correct answer: Abstract conceptualization
Abstract conceptualization is the stage where learners form logical conclusions and theoretical frameworks based on their observations.
Question 5: Which instructional strategy BEST aligns with the andragogical principle that adults need to understand why they are learning something before they engage?
- Opening each lesson by stating explicit learning rationales (Correct answer)
- Providing comprehensive readings before class
- Using competitive quizzes to motivate participation
- Assigning role-play without context
Correct answer: Opening each lesson by stating explicit learning rationales
Communicating the 'why' upfront respects adults' need to see purpose and value in learning before committing effort.
Question 6: Paulo Freire criticized traditional education as the 'banking concept.' In a CHE context, which approach best counters this by treating learners as active participants?
- Lecture-only delivery
- Dialogical, problem-posing education (Correct answer)
- Standardized multiple-choice testing
- Instructor-scripted role-play
Correct answer: Dialogical, problem-posing education
Freire advocated dialogical, problem-posing education where learners co-create knowledge through critical dialogue rather than passively receiving it.
CHE CHE Adult Learning Theory & Andragogy 2
Which concept best describes an adult learner's internal readiness to learn something because it is needed in a specific life or work situation?