The Challenges and Advantages of Learning as an Older Student
As the world of education evolves, the role of the older student in the learning environment has garnered significant attention. Older students, such as seniors or individuals in the later stages of their educational journey, often face unique challenges and bring a wealth of advantages to the classroom. In this article, we explore the disadvantages and advantages of older student learning, focusing on the importance of clinical understanding.
The Challenges Faced by Older Students
When discussing the disadvantages of older students, it's important to recognize that these are often perceptions rather than actual deficiencies. Here are some common pitfalls:
Expectations and Perceptions
Many older students, particularly those in senior positions, can feel the pressure to know more than they do. This can lead to a cycle of pretense, where learners are expected to demonstrate a level of knowledge they don't possess. A poem by R.D. Laing, titled "Knots," succinctly captures this sentiment:
"There is something I don’t know that I am supposed to know. I don’t know what it is I don’t know and yet am supposed to know and I feel I look stupid if I seem both not to know it and not to know what it is. Therefore I pretend I know it. This is nerve-racking since I don’t know what I must pretend to know. Therefore I pretend to know everything."
These feelings of pretense and pressure are a real concern in the classroom, and it's crucial to address them through clinical understanding.
Peer Expectations and Misconceptions
Older learners may also face expectations from peers. Classmates might look to them as a source of knowledge, further fueling the pressure to pretend to know more than one actually does. This can create a challenging social dynamic within the classroom, where older students are frequently questioned and often expected to have answers that they don’t.
The Advantages of Learning as an Older Student
Despite these potential disadvantages, older students bring a range of valuable qualities and experiences to the learning environment:
Experience and Perspective
One of the most significant advantages of older students is their rich life experience. This background can provide a depth of understanding and context that younger students may lack. Older learners often bring a wealth of life experiences and a broader perspective, which can enrich the learning experience for everyone in the class.
Resilience and Motivation
Older students often possess a high level of resilience and motivation. The desire to continue learning and expanding knowledge is a strong driving force for these learners. They are often more committed to their education and more willing to take on challenges, knowing that they have a lot to gain.
Addressing Challenges Through Clinical Understanding
To address the potential disadvantages of older student learning, clinical understanding plays a crucial role. Clinical understanding involves a deep, thoughtful analysis of the learner's needs and the learning environment. It requires recognizing that the challenge is not inherently about the age of the student but about the application of clinical knowledge to foster an effective learning environment.
The SimplyHowe approach is a prime example of how clinical understanding can be applied in the classroom. Patrick Howe's method, described in the Decoding the Mind Training Manual, emphasizes the importance of clinical understanding in addressing the unique needs of older learners. The pod system that SimplyHowe uses creates a mirror image learning platform, ensuring that every student has the tools and support they need to succeed.
Memory and Comprehension
Memory is a key component of learning, but it's not just about rote memorization. According to Howe, memory control is a natural gift for some, while others must work harder to develop this skill. Clinical understanding is key to leveraging one's natural memory, enabling comprehension and application of knowledge. Questions are the foundation of clinical understanding, as they lead to a deeper exploration of the subject and the learning process.
The SimplyHowe Way emphasizes the importance of clinical understanding in simplifying complex topics. Patrick Howe's quote, "simple is perfect," reminds us that when something is complex, it is often because one doesn't understand it fully. By simplifying the subject and the teaching process, older students can overcome the challenges they face and achieve their learning goals more effectively.
Conclusion
While older students may face some unique challenges in the learning environment, these challenges can be mitigated through the application of clinical understanding. The SIMPLYHOWE approach offers a robust framework for addressing these challenges, ensuring that older students can not only survive but thrive in their educational journey. Understanding, clarity, and the application of clinical knowledge are the keys to unlocking the full potential of older student learning.