The Adult Learning Hub

by Jane Erickson

Whether you train new police recruits in the US, or you are a Higher Ed instructor in the UK, you teach ESL in Mongolia, or head up Learning & Development programmes in a corporate environment in Denmark – your contexts are unique and diverse, and the learners you serve even more so. This podcast aims to put a spot light on the stories of practitioners and what shapes us in our roles, as we facilitate learning for adults. Bec ...   ...  Read more

Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • Planting the seed of possibility: Suggestopedia in adult education

    Planting the seed of possibility: Suggestopedia in adult education

    Suggestopedia is a teaching method used to learn foreign languages, first developed in the 1970sby the Bulgarian psychiatrist Georgi Lozanov. Today, it is formally recognized by UNESCO as a superior approach to learning. What is it exactly? And how can it be used to facilitate more effective learning for adults in today's world? Listen into Jane's chat with suggestopedic teacher and adult educator, Daniela Montagner in this episode. ---- Are you an adult learning professional looking for a community you can tap into? Come and join members, like Daniela, as we more confidently navigate a new world of work together in The Adult Learning Hub. Enjoy our informative and bite-size calendar of events and activities; regular member meet up to discuss topics important to you; and get support from like minded peers, also tasked with the learning of adults around the world in a variety of settings and contexts. Go to the www.adultlearninghub.com to become a member today.

  • Swing set solitary time: The power of being an introverted adult educator

    Swing set solitary time: The power of being an introverted adult educator

    'I spent too much time compensating for my inadequacy as an introvert, rather than honing it as a vital skill early in my career.' ----- In this episode, Jane reflects on early experiences exploring her inner world as a child, and how this contributed to how she views herself as an introverted adult learning professional today. Drawing on lessons from Carl Yung and other educational researchers, she offers strategies for practitioners like her, to better manager their energy, but facilitate more meaningful learning for adults, Enjoyed this episode? Want to go into more depth on topics like this? Join our mailing list, or even better - become a member of The Adult Learning Hub today.

  • Lessons from the land of make-believe: Unconventional wisdom for adult educators

    Lessons from the land of make-believe: Unconventional wisdom for adult educators

    As adult educators, we can often find inspiration from the world around us, sometimes coming from unconventional places. One of these unlikely sources of wisdom is a man known for his cardigans and his special land of make-believe - the incomparable, Mr. Rogers. He was the host of a popular children’s television show that ran from 1968 to 2001 in North America. Now, you might ask, how can a children’s host teach us about interacting with adults? What can we learn from him as educators? The recent biographical film about Mr. Rogers, with Tom Hanks (Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) sparked a journey of rediscovery for Jane's guest today, Michael McDonald - a Canadian adult learning professional, disability advocate, and passionate life long learner. Listen into our conversation about how Rogers' approach mirrors the process of learning for adults, and gain vital insights as an educator for how you can better serve your learners to be the best they can be. --- To listen in with CC/subtitles, go here: https://share.descript.com/view/E7A68YK10Xe To get access to the exclusive PDF guide, that goes into more depth how adult educators can skillfully demonstrate 'Unconditional Positive Regard' for better outcomes, become a member of The Adult Learning Hub TODAY: https://www.theadultlearninghub.com

  • The show must go on: Managing change and teaching online with Laura

    The show must go on: Managing change and teaching online with Laura

    In the midst of navigating political unrest in Hong Kong in 2019 to managing challenging stakeholder expectations, Laura Wilkes, Director of Teaching Training for EF Teach Online, was certainly in the eye of the storm when she when she introduced a new online course to the organization. Listen to her conversation with Jane in this episode of podcast, where she reflects on some of her biggest learnings during this project - including tips for having a rewarding and long lasting career as an online teacher! *For those interested in captioning (CC) and/or a transcript, go here: https://share.descript.com/view/n3sJVvUrw4J To get access to the FREE downloadable PDF mentioned in the episode, about 'How to Sustain a Career Teaching Online' - join Laura and other adult learning professionals - and become a member of The Hub today: https://www.theadultlearninghub.com

  • Musings of a military mom turned adult educator: Audrey's story

    Musings of a military mom turned adult educator: Audrey's story

    'My entire world began to shift when I came across the field of adult education.' -- In this short 11 minute episode, host Jane Berwick speaks with Audrey Ayers about her unique journey into being an educator of adults, working in the military in the US and reflections on the stark differences she has noticed between teaching children and educating adults. Until her adult learning professors began describing the difference between 'pedagogy' (education of children) and 'andragogy' (educating adults) she says she wouldn’t have initially used the label “adult educator” for herself as she thought that was someone who taught GED classes at a local community college or adult ESL. She says that to name ourselves as “adult educators,” increases our range of identity - thereby also increasing our very sense of self-worth and the value we bring to this world. Enjoy the episode! -- Do you have a story like Audrey's? Are you an educator of adults with a voice? Email Jane to be a guest! jane@theadultlearninghub.com Better yet - join our close-knit community of practitioners from across the globe! Become a member for free today: www.theadultlearninghub.com