Shows
How Adults Learn AffectivelyMotivation, Culture, Learning and Empathy: The Heart of Adult EducationIn this conversation, Lucas and Stephanie delve into the intricacies of adult education, focusing on the motivations and challenges faced by adult learners, particularly in the context of ESL (English as a Second Language). They discuss the differences between teaching adults and adolescents, the importance of understanding cultural backgrounds, and the role of empathy in education. Stephanie shares her experiences with motivated adult learners and the impact of the ESL Academy, while also highlighting the various learning styles present in adult education. The conversation emphasizes the value of education and the American dream, as well as the global perspectives...
2025-09-0342 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyJourneys in Education: Adult Learners, Language, and Evolving ClassroomsIn this engaging conversation, Lucas and Stephanie explore their backgrounds in education, the evolution of teaching methods, and the importance of bilingualism and biliteracy. They share insights from their experiences in adult education, discuss the impact of No Child Left Behind, and contemplate the future of education in the age of AI. Their camaraderie and shared passion for teaching shine through as they reflect on their journeys and the challenges faced in the educational landscape.Stephanie shares her journey from California to Arkansas and her passion for education.The speakers emphasize the importance of bilingualism...
2025-08-2729 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelySell the Class Before You Teach ItIn this episode, Lucas Leshe, John Gillen, and Bryan Donsky discuss effective strategies for marketing adult education classes. They explore the importance of understanding the audience's needs, setting clear expectations, and utilizing various marketing techniques to ensure class attendance. The conversation emphasizes the significance of adapting teaching methods to engage diverse learners and the necessity of continuous feedback and improvement in training practices.Marketing your classes is crucial for attendance.Understanding your audience's needs enhances engagement.Setting clear expectations helps in managing the classroom.Utilizing various marketing techniques can attract more participants.Feedback from peers can improve class...
2025-04-3026 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyNavigating Adult Learning in End-of-Life CareIn this episode, the hosts engage in a deep conversation with John Gillen about adult learning, particularly in the context of end-of-life care. John shares his diverse background in education and corporate training, leading to his current focus on helping families navigate the complexities of death and dying. The discussion covers personal experiences with caregiving, the importance of communication and humor in difficult situations, and the need for curiosity and questions in understanding the process of death.Personal experiences with death can shape one's approach to caregiving.Humor can be a powerful tool in difficult...
2025-04-2225 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyThe Importance of Learning Styles in Adult EducationIn this episode, Lucas and Bryan explore the concept of learning styles, discussing various types such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning. They delve into the importance of understanding these styles for adult learners and how to effectively engage different learning preferences in educational settings. The conversation highlights the ongoing debate in academia regarding the validity of learning styles and emphasizes the need for a balanced approach in teaching methods to cater to diverse learners.Learning styles influence how individuals concentrate, process, and retain information.Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic are the primary learning styles.It's...
2025-04-1423 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyNavigating LGBTQIA+ Identity in Education/ L&DThis Episode explores the experiences of being openly gay in the education and learning development sectors. The speakers share their personal journeys of coming out, the challenges they faced, particularly in conservative regions, and the impact of their visibility on students. They discuss the importance of supportive work environments and the balance between authenticity and professional expectations.
2025-03-3130 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyMind the Gap: Bridging Pedagogy and Andragogy with Spensor KiperIn this conversation, Spencer Kiper shares insights on the transition from teaching adolescents to adults, highlighting the differences in engagement, focus, and learning strategies. The discussion emphasizes the importance of creating a comfortable learning environment, understanding the unique challenges adult learners face, and adapting teaching methods to meet their needs. The conversation also explores the differences between pedagogy and andragogy, particularly in terms of risk-taking and motivation in adult education.Adults require a different approach to learning compared to adolescents.Engagement strategies must be tailored to adult learners' needs.Creating a comfortable environment is crucial...
2025-03-2426 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyTraining L&D/Education Professionals With Spencer KiperIn this episode, Lucas Leshe and Bryan Donsky welcome Spencer Kiper, an EdTech professional, to discuss the evolving landscape of teacher training and recruitment. They explore the importance of engaging adult learners, and the potential of registered apprenticeships in education. The conversation highlights the motivations of adult learners, the need for bridging experience with educational theory, and the transformative impact of education on individuals' lives.Spencer Kiper emphasizes the importance of building pathways for qualified educators.Engaging adult learners requires understanding their unique challenges and motivations.Setting norms early in the course is crucial for...
2025-03-1726 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyDopamine in Life and TrainingIn this episode, Lucas Leshe and Bryan Donsky explore the multifaceted role of dopamine as a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, pleasure, and reward. They discuss the balance between healthy and unhealthy sources of dopamine, the implications for learning and education, and the importance of mindfulness and dopamine detox in today's fast-paced world. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness of dopamine's effects on behavior and mental health, particularly in educational settings.Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that influences motivation, pleasure, and reward.Healthy sources of dopamine include completing tasks and eating nutritious foods.Unhealthy sources of...
2025-03-0341 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyKicking Off w/ Happy Brian Chemicals!In the first episode of season two of 'How Adults Learn Effectively', hosts Lucas Leshe and Bryan Donsky welcome listeners back and introduce the theme of mental health and personal growth. They discuss their holiday experiences, leading into a deeper conversation about mental health, including Bryan's journey with ADHD and trauma. The episode explores the concept of happy brain chemicals—dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins—and their roles in motivation, happiness, and emotional well-being. The hosts emphasize the importance of education and self-awareness in managing mental health issues, particularly ADHD, and set the stage for a more in-depth discussion on d...
2025-02-2430 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyLearning in the Brain Part 2In Part 2, Lucas Leshe and Bryan Donsky explore the intricacies of memory and learning, discussing various types of memory, the importance of sleep for memory consolidation, effective learning strategies, the role of synaptic plasticity in lifelong learning, and the impact of nutrition and exercise on cognitive function. They emphasize the need for engagement and repetition in learning, particularly for individuals with ADHD, and highlight the significance of managing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to enhance learning outcomes.
2024-12-1629 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyLearning in the Brain Part 1In this episode, Bryan Donsky and Lucas Leshe explore the intricacies of how adults learn effectively, drawing insights from neuroscience and the book 'How We Learn' by Stanislas Dehaene. They discuss the definitions of learning, the role of evolution, the mechanics of memory, and the importance of emotions in the learning process. The conversation emphasizes the need for engaging learning environments and the distinction between Semantic and episodic memories, providing a comprehensive overview of the cognitive processes involved in learning.
Learning is a process of converting unstructured information into actionable knowledge.
The brain functions similarly...
2024-12-1126 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyFirst holiday Special!In this special Holiday episode, Lucas and Bryan reflect on their Thanksgiving experiences, share stories from their family gatherings, and discuss their adventures at Disney Springs, including a Cirque du Soleil show. They delve into the intersection of learning and performance, particularly in relation to the acrobatic feats they witnessed. The conversation shifts to Black Friday shopping experiences, car buying, and the importance of neuroplasticity in learning.
They also discuss a book they are reading about learning, stress management techniques, and the power of planning. The episode concludes with a review of the new Wicked movie and...
2024-12-0431 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyUnderstanding Adult Learners: Key Principles ReviewIn this episode, Lucas Leshe and Bryan Donsky explore the six principles of andragogy, focusing on how adults learn differently than children. They discuss the importance of self-concept, the role of experience, readiness to learn, orientation to learning, motivation, and active learning. The conversation emphasizes the need for relevance in adult education and the challenges of recreating human interactions in virtual learning environments. The hosts also hint at future topics related to learning and the brain.
2024-11-1926 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyThe Power of Active LearningIn this episode, Bryan Donsky and Lucas Leshe discuss the principles of active learning, emphasizing its importance in adult education. They share personal experiences, including travel anecdotes, to illustrate how activities enhance learning. The conversation explores the balance between active and passive learning, the significance of creating engaging learning environments, and the application of training techniques in real-world scenarios. The hosts highlight the need for trainers to adapt their methods based on participant engagement and the learning context.
2024-11-1127 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyMotivation Matters: Unlocking Drive in Adult Educationn this episode, Lucas Leshe and Bryan Donsky discuss the importance of motivation in adult learning, exploring intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence how adults engage with educational content. They share personal experiences, delve into the dynamics of adult learning, and highlight the significance of social factors and support systems in fostering motivation. The conversation emphasizes the need for engaging learning experiences and the impact of personal interests on motivation.
2024-10-2823 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyReal Problems = Real LearningAndragogy Principle 4: Orientation to Learning
In this episode, Bryan Donsky and Lucas Leshe discuss the fourth principle of adult learning, focusing on the importance of problem-oriented settings for effective learning. They explore how adults learn better when faced with real-world problems rather than abstract content. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in training and problem-solving, emphasizing the need for trainers to foster independence among learners. The hosts share personal experiences and insights on how to create effective training environments that promote growth and independence.
Adults learn better in problem-oriented settings.
...
2024-10-2126 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyAm I ready? (what you talkin' 'bout?)Andragogy Principle 3: Readiness to Learn! some take aways from this episode.
Adult learning is about finding ways to do things better.
Readiness to learn is crucial for effective adult education.
Feedback should come from a place of help, not criticism.
The payoff of learning must be clear to adult learners.
Engaging activities enhance the learning experience for adults.
Facilitators should guide learning rather than dictate it.
Adults learn better when they can control their learning process.
Creating a supportive learning environment fosters growth.
Understanding the impact of training on personal lives is essential.
Continuous evolution in teaching methods...
2024-10-1424 minHow Adults Learn AffectivelyExperience: Bring it, Create it, Use it!In this episode, Bryan Donsky and Lucas Leshe delve into principle 2 of adult learning, emphasizing the importance of prior experiences, shared learning, and the role of humor and mistakes in the educational process. The conversation highlights how creating connections and engaging experiences can enhance learning outcomes.
2024-09-2426 min
How Adults Learn AffectivelyThe Legacy of Malcolm Knowles: #1 Self ConceptIn this episode, Bryan Donsky and Lucas Leshe discuss the principles of adult learning, focusing on research methods, the contributions of Malcolm Knowles, and the importance of self-concept in adult education. They explore how adults learn differently from children and the significance of independence and self-direction in the learning process. The conversation highlights the need for effective research strategies and the role of feedback in enhancing the learning experience.
2024-09-1923 min
How Adults Learn AffectivelyEmotions and Learning: The Affective AspectIn this episode, Lucas Leshe and Bryan Donsky introduce their podcast, 'How Adults Learn Affectively,' and discuss the importance of understanding adult learning. They explain the difference between affective and effective and emphasize the role of emotions in adult learning. Lucas and Bryan share their backgrounds in education and training and express their passion for helping adults learn and grow. They also touch on topics such as learning styles, curriculum development, and the challenges faced by adults with ADHD. The hosts conclude by previewing future episodes and inviting listeners to engage with them.
2024-09-1028 min