[Adult apprenticeship using the Knowles model]

In her doctoral studies in adult learning, the author perceived that the application of Knowles' theory to the learning abilities of sick and healthy adults allowed a better understanding than most other theories. In this model, adults develop their knowledge, sense of control, and coping skills as they apply to situations of daily living. The reason for this is that adults' learning patterns are oriented towards their specific life skills. In fact, individuals have a desire to learn what is useful and necessary for their progress. In a learning situation, the adults' self-concept and acquired experiences are taken into account. The adult becomes the centre of the learning process. Knowles teaches educators such as nurses to particularly look at the learning needs of adults with existential problems. He insists that these needs be acknowledged and satisfied in the "here and now," with emphasis on learning rather than teaching. Knowles theory is based on four assumptions relating to the adult learner. These assumptions are concerned with self-concept, acquired experience, learning ability and benefits achieved by the immediate application of learning. The six elements that constitute the thinker's concept are explained in detail. They include: the need to know; the learner's self-concept; the role of previous experience, the willingness to learn; the motivation to learn; and a teaching orientation. Knowles differentiates between the learning patterns of adults and youths. Helping adults to learn and helping youths to learn are presented as a continuum that takes into account the holistic attributes of adults at any moment in their learning pattern.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)