LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda.com, is an online learning platform that offers video courses taught by industry experts on a wide range of topics including business, technology, and creative skills. LinkedIn Learning aims to provide effective and engaging learning experiences for adults in the workforce or looking to advance their careers. The platform is grounded in principles of adult learning theory and andragogy.
What is adult learning theory?
Adult learning theory, also known as andragogy, is a framework for understanding how adults learn best. It posits that there are significant differences in how children learn (pedagogy) versus how adults learn. The theory was originally proposed by education scholar Malcolm Knowles in the 1970s. Here are some key principles of adult learning theory that inform the LinkedIn Learning platform:
- Adults are self-directed learners – They desire control and self-direction in their learning process. LinkedIn Learning gives learners full control over course selection and pacing.
- Adults have accumulated knowledge and experience – Long-lived experiences provide a rich resource for learning. Courses relate new concepts to learners’ work experiences.
- Adults are goal-oriented – They pursue learning that is relevant to their personal or professional goals. Courses teach practical skills needed for career advancement.
- Adults are relevancy-oriented – They seek learning that is clearly applicable to their roles or interests. Course topics are highly practical and career-focused.
- Adults are practical – They favor learning that will help them solve problems or perform tasks better. Courses aim to build hard skills and directly applicable knowledge.
Self-Directed Learning
A core tenet of adult learning theory is self-directed learning. Adults have a deep need to be self-directing in their learning process, so LinkedIn Learning provides full autonomy over course selection and progress. Learners can freely browse and select from over 16,000 courses on topics of interest without any mandated curriculum. They can also control the pace, pausing, replaying, or revisiting courses at will. Some key ways LinkedIn Learning facilitates self-directed learning include:
- Personalized recommendations – Learning paths and suggested courses based on individuals’ profiles and interests.
- Bookmarks – Ability to bookmark courses for convenient future access.
- Playlists – Custom playlists give control over organizing courses.
- Learning history – Detailed page shows full learning history and progress.
- Mobile access – Apps enable learning on any device, anytime, anywhere.
By giving learners choice and control over their learning journey, LinkedIn Learning aligns with adults’ need for self-determination in education.
Leveraging Experience
Andragogy recognizes adults accumulate a reservoir of life experiences that become resources for learning. Instructors on LinkedIn Learning tap into learners’ work experience in multiple ways:
- Discussions of real-world applications – Courses discuss how concepts apply on the job.
- “Putting It Together” exercises – Learners implement skills to solve real workplace problems.
- Peer discussions – Learners share perspectives and projects from their careers.
- Instructor profiles – Instructors’ biographies showcase their professional experience.
By regularly relating course lessons to work experiences, instructors activate adults’ existing knowledge. This integration of new ideas with prior experience enables richer learning.
Goal Orientation
Adult learning theory recognizes adults are driven by specific goals and motivations. LinkedIn Learning aims to align course objectives with learners’ personal or professional goals. Here are some key ways it exhibits goal orientation:
- Career focused topics – Courses teach in-demand business, tech, and creative skills.
- Expert instructors – Instructors are professionals working in their teaching field.
- Learning paths – Organized courses focused on achieving a skillset for a job role.
- Skill assessments – Assessments validate mastery of skills from a course.
- Course application – Courses outline real-world application of concepts.
This focus on tangible skills development and career outcomes suits driven adults seeking advancement or change.
Relevancy
Adult learners need to clearly perceive the relevance of learning to their goals or interests. LinkedIn Learning makes courses applicable to learners in several ways:
- Bite-sized videos – Short videos deliver targeted lessons focused on a single concept.
- Practice exercises – Hands-on exercises let learners apply concepts through activities.
- Supplemental resources – Worksheets, cheat sheets, and quick reference guides reinforce retention.
- Mobile access – Learning on mobile devices during free moments maximizes relevancy.
By delivering learning in compact, engaging segments with clear utility, LinkedIn Learning seeks to maximize the relevance of its courses.
Problem-Centered
Adults favor learning that will help them solve problems or perform tasks better. LinkedIn Learning courses provide immediately applicable, problem-centered knowledge:
- Step-by-step guidance – Courses break processes down into simple workflows.
- Use case examples – Instructors demonstrate tools and workflows for specific use cases.
- Practice activities – Hands-on exercises let learners implement techniques.
- Templates – Downloadable templates help learners apply lessons.
- Discussion forums – Learners can ask instructors questions about real problems.
By enabling learners to build tangible skills and directly apply knowledge, LinkedIn Learning takes a pragmatic approach suited to career-minded adults.
Adult Learning Principles in Action
Here is an example of how LinkedIn Learning embodies andragogy principles in one of its most popular courses, Excel Essential Training with Curt Frye:
- Self-directed – Learners control pace and can skip around between lessons.
- Leverages experience – Workbook exercises draw on learners’ real data to practice formulas and functions.
- Goal oriented – Course teaches widely applicable Excel skills to make learners more capable and marketable.
- Relevant – Short videos demonstrate specific Excel features with clear explanations.
- Problem-centered – Techniques are modeled for common business analysis problems.
This approach typifies LinkedIn Learning’s application of adult learning principles to deliver an engaging and effective learning experience.
Conclusion
LinkedIn Learning leverages key assumptions of adult learning theory to provide relevant, goal-oriented, self-directed learning. Its use of andragogy principles is evident across numerous dimensions:
- Learner autonomy through self-paced courses.
- Tapping into adults’ existing foundation of experience.
- Focus on career-advancing skills and knowledge.
- Highly practical course content.
- Problem-centered teaching methods.
This alignment to the distinct needs of adult learners promotes meaningful, transferable learning. By making courses feel more applicable, retainable, and empowering, LinkedIn Learning’s grounding in adult learning theory makes it an impactful resource for working professionals seeking to reach their full potential.