Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with adults

Help me start teaching art to adults.

alight — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:31:48 -0800

I need some advice on teaching art skills to adults. How do I not suck at this?

I’m going to start teaching some drawing and painting classes to adults in the evenings. I’m in my 20’s, and while I’ve done a bit of teaching in the past, (short free workshops and demos for students) I’ve got no experience dealing with a group of adults who have paid good money to listen to me for several weeks.

I think I’ve got a decent handle on curriculum stuff- in each class we’ll be covering a new skill per week, building on the previous week’s techniques. I know what I need to talk about, just not how to talk about it. The skills I’ll be teaching are things I’ve done for years, and I worry that my hands know what to do, but my brain and words will forget how to explain it to a novice.

To boost my confidence a bit, I could use some answers to questions like these:

Does anyone have some reading resources on teaching to adults- especially those related to art or manual skills? Is there some golden ratio of explaining, demonstrations, and practice that I can use as a rule of thumb? In what ways have some of your teachers failed at teaching a new skill, and how can I avoid making those mistakes? Any awesome class or teacher anecdotes? Is a feedback survey a good idea (at the end of the class, or midway through)?

Any other general tips?

Thanks in advance.

Ddifferences between colds in adults and children

graventy — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:25:17 -0800

Are there differences in the symptoms of a common cold with age? Are cold symptoms worse in adults than children? When I was a kid, the extent of my colds seemed to be a runny nose and maybe a cough. Nowadays, at 29, colds seem to completely sap my energy and give me body aches. I live in the same location, so I should be exposed to the same general cold virii. Are tiredness and body aches just more common in adults than children?

Why don't adults enjoy dizziness?

ivanv — Sun, 31 May 2009 10:15:15 -0800

Why don't adults enjoy dizziness like kids do? When I was a kid I remember thinking adults were boring for not enjoying the feeling of dizziness, and I vowed to always enjoy it :) Now as an adult, I can't stand it, and feel like throwing up. It seems most adults (if not all) feel the same way. Why is that?

Examples of double-meanings in movies, shows, cartoons?

iamkimiam — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:39:34 -0800

Looking for scenes with dialogue in G-rated movies, shows or cartoons that have hidden references for adults. The examples I am looking for need to meet the following criteria:
• Found in movies and tv shows geared specifically toward a younger audience or a general audience (both kids and adults).
• Dialogue must contain a second/hidden meaning that only adults would understand.
• The hidden message is expressed through the spoken dialogue (not by gestures, signs in the background, etc.)

An example of the type of thing I'm looking for is typical in shows like the Simpsons, where kids watching are laughing at something Homer says because it sounds silly, but adults are laughing AT THE SAME DIALOGUE, but for a different reason...because it's a reference to something in the news, politics, etc. that kids would not understand or have access to.

Yes, this is for a paper. No, you are not helping me with my homework by answering this question. Not even close.

Mom's being uppity

kldickson — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:13:04 -0800

I'm 20 and more than halfway through undergrad. My mother is STILL having difficulty letting go of me, after three years. Help me help her. To illustrate how difficult this is for my mother, she spent $300 on a whim to fly up and visit me unannounced. I'm studying for a test right now (she just visited today) and she admits she needs help. What can she do to let go of me?

Books on teaching technology?

SuperSquirrel — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:54:47 -0800

What book(s) can I read to help me be a better teacher of technology? I teach technology-related courses to undergrads, including VB programming, Flash, web design, Office software, basic computing skills, etc. I'm confident in my technology skills. I know how to find information on tech-related topics. I know [pretty much] what's hot and what's not in technology. There are great threads here about teaching programming and the like, which I've read through.

But, in an effort to improve my teaching skills, I want learn more teaching theory. I specifically want to learn more about how adults (college-age and older) learn technology-related subjects, and about the theories of teaching technology to adults.

So my questions are:

Which books are considered definitive works (or at least generally well-regarded) on how adults learn technology?

Which books are considered definitive works (or at least generally well-regarded) on teaching technology to adults?

I totally realize that such books may not exist, so any other resources (blogs, forums, papers, etc.) are welcome too.

I'm not so much interested in "educational technology" in terms of incorporating technology into other subjects. I'm interested in the teaching of technology itself.

Resources for adult ADD?

mintchip — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 19:00:59 -0800

Does it sound like adult ADD? Resources? I am in the process of being tested for a learning disability. I have a terrible memory, particularly for auditory learning. I am also horribly disorganized, and have to spend a large amount of time and energy keeping track of things.

I have multiple systems that I have developed to help me (to do lists, reminders, etc.), but find that my systems overlap and inconsistent. For example, I'll lose the to do list, forget to look at the reminders. I am constantly overwhelmed both at work and at home, and feel that my career has been limited by my ineffectiveness managing these weaknesses.

I have always gotten by, but I feel I've never lived up to my true capacity. I suspect that, if I do have a LD, it's gone undetected because I've been able to compensate in other ways.

For those who have ADD, (or are very familiar with it) do these sound like symptoms? I do get diagnosed, what resources are available to help me? How can I learn to better handle my learning style and avoid doing "double and triple work" in order to cover my bases and keep organized? Finally, how do I find a career niche that is a good fit for a "big picture" person who struggles with details?

Willits Willits

ClaudiaCenter — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:11:39 -0800

WillitsFilter: I'm taking the monster teens (an 18 year old, and two of his friends) to a cabin in Willits (Mendocino County) this Thursday for four days. My adult friends have bailed. When the kids start to drive me mad, is there a pub I can visit? Other places to check out, possibly meet locals?

What trips can a family without kids take?

k8t — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:30:02 -0800

Where to take a non-kid oriented family vacation next Christmas/New Year season (that is not a cruise)? Posting for a friend:
It is my grandmother's 90th birthday this coming winter and my family is trying to plan a group vacation for a week or so, probably between Christmas and New Years as several of us are students and/or teachers. Some of my family members are floating the idea of a cruise (sorry for the bad pun) but a small minority of us feel like this cannot be the best option, so . . .

Where do you take 10 people (ages ranging from 22 - 90) for a relatively stress free family oriented vacation that is not targeted at people with elementary-school aged children? We, as a family, represent some pretty diverse interests, but for the most part we are looking for something warm (it will be the middle of winter) and easy (there will be ten of us, no one wants to spend the whole week managing an itinerary for 10).

Price is not a huge issue - clearly cruising with 10 people is not going to be cheap - but I feel as though there must be a better alternative to a cruise, as we would be paying a lot of money for services and features we simply don't have much use for (in addition to not having small children, drinking, overeating and gambling are all of relatively low priority for the most of us).

Does anyone have any ideas (or past experiences) for a fairly low maintenance week long vacation that meet our needs?

Getting into TEFL in the UK

London Irregular — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 07:50:35 -0800

What's the best way to get qualified in TEFL and find a teaching position, given that I've probably missed the start of the academic year? With typical bad timing, my brain has just informed me that teaching English to adults is the right career for me. I would like to put my plans into action as soon as possible, and am baffled by the amount of information on the web.

I think I would like to take a CELTA qualification, as this seems to be the best for teaching in the UK. I don't have huge wanderlust, but am able to work abroad and would enjoy it. It seems that it's much easier to get a job in the UK if you have experience.

Are there any programs where I can take the CELTA leading on to a teaching position?

If I do a course and then look for work, what are my chances of finding a position late in the year or early next year, allowing that I would need some time to prepare travel? And what locations are on the hunt for teachers?

If I do a course in the UK is International House in London any good?

looking for a TV keep fit guru

Jody Tresidder — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 17:39:43 -0800

This is embarrassing, but here goes. I used to be a fan of Denise Austin - a perky TV exercise guru -and her daily workouts which ran for months on cable (east coast). I became a loyal sucker for the whole package, the psychological prod of a show at a certain regular daily time with an invisible crowd of fellow imagined exercisers doing the same routine simultaneously, the changing sunny outdoors backdrop, the privacy, her oddly brisk but relaxed schtick, the way you could calibrate your own efforts (weights/speed etc) to higher levels as you became fitter. I kept at it amazingly well (for me) with very happy results. (Back in the local indoor pool for laps, plus some cycling). Denise disappeared off the air, things slowly slipped horribly- as they do. Now I've turned back into a lazy, weak, skinny-but-flabby, shy lump. Not remotely keeping up with my teenage sons, which is shaming. And I'm facing a huge home desk bound new editing project - through to the spring. I fairly urgently want to tie this new project mentally to reversing my sloth. Is anyone following anything on east coast cable they could recommend? Is there something worth paying for - say that comes with an add-on sports or other speciality channel? -that changes daily with an encouraging, non-irritating, plausible 'guru'? Something that's not only about weight loss, or yoga - but that is basic enough to at least start from a not very admirable level of fitness? I'd be really grateful for any suggestions - I only originally "found" Denise through a random conversation with someone with a similarly peculiar attitude to loving shared exercise with people who weren't there!

Serious business.

thirteenkiller — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 19:20:39 -0800

What's so special about baby skin? I went out in search of sunscreen tonight and came home with this, which says it's specially formulated for babies but appealed to me because it's fragrance free. Aveeno has another sunscreen that's the same price and SPF, but not specially formulated for babies. The two products share three of their four or five active ingredients and the directions are basically the same. So, besides the addition of fragrance to the adult version, what's the difference?

Finding satisfying work

Jonasio — Wed, 09 Jun 2004 11:32:57 -0800

CareerFilter: What do I want to be when I grow up? (more--->) I'm at a point where I'm ready to go back to college and start this new chapter. What a great opportunity to survey Mefite experience and wisdom! What college degrees have served you best? What jobs have you loved? What is worthwhile, and what is a soul-sucking trap?

A little about me: I'm 29, an excellent student, with a very high IQ and tested well in career aptitude in every field. Self-employment suits me well, but I've occasionally enjoyed regular employ. I want to find a career that I can really enjoy -- something I can look back on and say "yes, this was really good." Money could be an issue, and of course I'm aware that often the most satisfying jobs come with the smallest paychecks. So I'm looking for your sweet spots. Has life been good to you? Please share the love!

I don't want to skew your wisdom with too much personal information. I'll answer any questions you may have for me, though.

Cottage Board Games

bondcliff — Mon, 17 May 2004 11:01:58 -0800

What are some good board games to keep at a summer cottage? [more inside, but you knew that]

Think of a game you'd want to play at a dinner party when the wine bottle is empty and the scotch is being poured, or perhaps on a rainy afternoon. Something to keep the conversation and laughter flowing. Maybe 4 - 8 people. Team games are fine.

We already have chess, checkers, Pictionary, Monopoly, Othello, Trivial Pursuit and decks of cards. I'm looking for games that are easy for adults to learn quickly, can be finished up in an hour or two, and played over and over again without getting stale. Batteries or electricity should not be required.