OED 109: PSYCHOLOGY OF ADULT LEARNING --- THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA

Motivating Factors in Adult Learning 

Adults have a range of different motivations for selecting a course/programme. Some reasons they may choose to take a course include:

	For personal development purposes, e.g. communication or financial management skills
	For professional advancement, e.g. upgrading of skills to enhance employability or change careers
	To meet employment expectations, e.g. an employer may require that the person attend
	To bring additional skills to the workplace, e.g. presentation skills or information technology skills
	To develop skills which will benefit the local community
	To sample a topic which they might consider studying in greater depth
	To prepare for further study/full-time education
	To resolve personal problems, e.g. conflict resolution
	To facilitate/accommodate life changes, e.g. retirement or parenting
	To make or maintain social relationships
	For escape or stimulation
	For interest only

Tutors should be aware of the possible motivations behind their students' enrolment in order to have a better understanding of how to shape/modify their teaching materials and classroom exercises. It is likely that any group of students will have a variety of motivations and all need to be considered.