top of page
Magnifying Glass

Challenge

Challenge

Challenge

Press the play       button below to be introduced to three adult learners. Use the information provided, coupled with your prior knowledge, to answer the questions below in your Andragogy Hub Journal.

00:00 / 01:17

“The First Day of English Class at Community College”

Meet Shana​

She has come to the first day of English class. She is an adult returning to school at community college to get certified in welding. Shana has asked the instructor if she can unenroll in the course because she hates English and barely passed her high school English classes. ​

Meet Gabriel​

He has shown up for his first day of English class also. He has come to community college to earn a Certification in Nursing. He asks if he has to come to class or if he can just do the work online. He expresses that he feels nervous around people.

Meet Sam

Sam is an adult student, and English is her second language. She has enrolled in community college as a transfer student and wants to get a four-year degree in Psychology. Sam explains that she is scared she will not do well in this class and feels insecure about her writing abilities. ​

​Based on what you have heard and read in the scenarios above, take a moment to reflect on your prior experiences as an educator and as an adult learner. Use your Andragogy Hub Journal to record your thoughts and answer the following questions.

  1. After meeting Shana, Gabriel and Sam, three adult students beginning their first day at community college, what perceived challenges, or barriers, do you believe each student faced?

  2. How do you think each student perceives their place in a learning community?

  3. Think of a time when you experienced similar feelings to those of one or more of these students. What do you believe caused these feelings? How do you believe  your school or instructor could  have best supported you in this situation?

Click the Back button to return Home. Click the Next button to proceed to the Challenge. 

Terms of Use

The learning cycle featured in this project is based on the STAR Legacy Cycle developed by the IRIS Center (2013; http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/) and based on the work of Dr. John Branford and colleagues (National Research Council, 2000).

bottom of page