Adult Development and Adult Learning Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Adult Development and Adult Learning - Article Example It is, therefore, worthwhile to note that the characteristics of development of adult learners need to  influence  the strategies of teaching and  learning  that are under implementation. This article provides an overview on the various aspects of adult development, how they affect adult learning, and the major issues surrounding adult development. The article also explores the theories of adult learning including andragogy, self directed learning, and transformational learning. Adult development Growth is the  physical  change that results from an increase in cell size or numbers. Growth can be quantitatively measured using the  growth  indicators such as  weight, height, dentition, and the size of bones. On the other hand,  development  can be defined as a modification or change in the capacity if an individual to  function, or the  process  of skill  progress  or enhancement. It is the  capacity  of an individual to  adapt  to his surroundin g environment and, therefore, regarded as the behavioral growth  aspect (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2010). The characteristics of adult development are in the forms of physical, cognitive, social and emotional domains present in an  individual’s lifespan. There are three stages of life that  occur  in adulthood which include young, middle and older adulthood. These stages have characteristics that are unique and are  evident  in every stage of the four human development domains. For instance, the developmental characteristics of older adulthood include social characteristics such as loss of key family members and  significant  friends, prioritizing engagements and social activities, and beginning of transition to retirement. The physical aspects of  growth  include slowing down of reaction time, increase in the  instance  of chronic disease, decline in the sensory systems and physical abilities. Emotional development  is signified  with an increase in attem pts to maintain personality traits along with reflection, ability to resolve conflict by applying  integrity  instead of despair. The  last  domain  is cognitive development whereby an individual develops memory lapses, slower learning abilities, or mental abilities sufficient for accomplishing their daily chores (Jarvis, 2004). Maturation  is  mainly  characterized  nervous system changes and the brain, and aids in the stimulation of cognitive and physical or motor skills. The patterns of maturation are  innate  and programmed in the genetic code. During adulthood, people experience  various  challenges that affect their ability to go about their daily duties.   Development begins in a  concrete  or straightforward manner, and proceeds to the complex mechanisms. Problem solving and reasoning abilities  are inspired  from the  language  and development of cognitive skills. For instance, the ability to  classify  or  relate  similar ite ms implies the acquisition of cognitive skills. Concrete thoughts  are usually manifested  in the initial  level  of thinking which describes or gives a  functional  relationship between two subjects. Further advancement in the development of cognitive skills is manifested by a more complex or advanced  understanding  of the comparisons  being made, as well development of a high  capability  of classifying objects (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2010). Issues surrounding adult development and their influence on adult learning Development  is categorized  as a continuous process in which the development of an  individual  signifies  addition  of new skills to the ones already acquired, thus forming a basis for further

Costco's management style and how the business operates Research Paper

Costco's management style and how the business operates - Research Paper Example With due regard to the managerial functions and their necessities within an organization, the primary objective of this paper is to demonstrate the fundamental roles and functions of managerial functions that are practiced by Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) in the global retail industry (Lewis, Goodman, Fandt & Michlitsch, 2007). Costco is globally well-known for its extensive operations of retailing broad assortment of products for different group of customers across the globe. The organization principally involves a membership warehouse facility that is dedicated to provide extensive collection of quality based merchandise to its global customers in a best possible price. Currently, Costco can be observed in more than hundreds of global locations with a wider range of merchandise, convenient specialty departments as well as elite membership services serving different group of global customers (Costco Wholesale Corporation, 2013). Therefore, the main purpose of this report is to reveal the managerial functions including planning, organizing, leading as well as controlling performances of Costco in its global business operations. The managerial functions are regarded as the pivotal factors that significantly direct an organization to accomplish its broad array of business practices. According to the rapid development of the global business environment, the organizations seek to achieve better control of its range of activities to remain competitive. With this regard, it is highly essential for an organization to incorporate an effective set of managerial functions for the purpose of strengthening and developing its operational as well as managerial capabilities through designing effective set of planning, organizing, leading as well as controlling functions (Costco Wholesale Corporation, 2012). This can be better understood with the help of the following pictorial illustration. In relation