I recently assisted a friend in registering for adult education courses and provided tutoring support in English and mathematics. This experience strengthened my ability to explain complex concepts clearly and adapt my teaching style to meet individual learning needs.
I learned that adult learners can bring a wealth of lived experience, which can generate rich discussions and create a deeper engagement with course content. However, they may also face unique challenges, such as balancing education with work and family responsibilities, which requires greater flexibility and empathy from the educator (me). In many ways, my experience with UDL and DI informed my instructional decision making process, and allowed me to tailor our tutoring sessions to their specific needs.
Additionally, this experience enriched my understanding of how education carries different value for different learners. As someone pursuing a career in education, I naturally place a high value on learning and view it as a lifelong pursuit. For my friend, however, education carried with it anxieties, fears of failure and trauma. Returning to school was not just an academic endeavour, it was also an emotional challenge.