Adult Learning Model Essay

My transition from homeschool to West Point has been difficult. In homeschool, I never attended classes, submitted graded assignments, met with instructors, or even took tests. As a result, I spent this semester acclimating to the academics at West Point and accruing the necessary study habits to become a successful student. While some colleagues struggled with these and similar obstacles, I possessed one skill that most of them did not. Throughout high school, the nature of my education required me to take initiative and self-direct my own learning. Without having instructors—most subjects I wanted to learn—I had to study myself. Although my high school education had its share of shortcomings, I believe the way it forced me to think critically

This is my interpretation of the Adult Learning Model at its most fundamental level. In order to best conceptualize learning like an adult, it is helpful to juxtapose it with learning like a child. Children learn, in a traditional sense, by instruction. In a conventional K-12 school, students come to class with no prior knowledge of the lesson. In this case, teachers spend a class period teaching students given material. This is beneficial to students at this level because it gives the necessary guidance that young minds need. Conversely, as students grow older and become more mature, adult learning can be expected. The difference between these two types of learning comes from the individual that initiates the learning. When a teacher or instructor initiates the learning, it is a Child Learning Model whereas if the students initiate learning themselves, it is an Adult Learning Model. The latter requires more motivation, discipline, and maturity. Given a task, objective, or question, how well can you find, interpret, and internalize information by yourself? West Point’s famed “Thayer Method” requires just that—it makes every cadet an